Prostate Problems

The prostate is a fairly small gland that is roughly the size of a walnut and sits under the bladder and just in front of the rectum. A very important gland, the prostate makes the fluid that helps to carry sperm.

One very significant problem which can and frequently does strike the prostate gland is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a serious condition which can be expected to strike roughly ten percent of all men and is the second commonest cause of cancer death in men nowadays.

So how does prostate cancer begin?

Prostate cancer starts as a malignant tumor growing in the prostate gland which, if left untreated, can spread into neighboring tissue and organs and into the lymph nodes and bone.

So what are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

Nearly three-quarters of people affected with prostate cancer are over the age of 65.

Men with family members like a grandfather or father who have suffered from prostate cancer are 11 times more likely to suffer from prostate cancer than men without any family history of the disease.

The death rate from prostate cancer rises with weight and is particularly high in men who are obese.

Caucasian men are more than twice as likely to develop prostate cancer than those of African decent.

What can I do to prevent myself from suffering from prostate cancer?

In reality there is nothing you can do to prevent yourself from getting prostate cancer although many people believe that a healthy diet can lower your risk from this particular form of cancer. At present there is very little evidence to support this view.

How to go about diagnosing prostate cancer.

There are a few different tests for prostate cancer including the PSA test, a digital rectal examination and a biopsy.

The prostate specific antigen test measures the level of a prostate specific antigen in the bloodstream. High prostate specific antigen levels are not an indication of prostate cancer but are an indication of a possible problem that ought to be investigated further.

The digital rectal examination requires a doctor to wear a glove and insert a lubricated finger into the anus so that he can feel the prostate for enlargement or irregularity.

In the case of a prostate biopsy your doctor will take several small tissue samples from your prostate which will then be examined under a microscope for any signs of abnormal cells.