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How informed are you about prostate cancer?

To be prepared, then we have to be aware. To all aspects of life this sentence applies. From home, school to work, we have to be aware of certain things for us to be prepared to face any kind of challenges that may come our way. The same thing goes with our health. We have to be aware of the diseases in order to prepare ourselves and prevent it.

Cancer is one disease that we all should be aware of. It is because the best way to avoid it is to learn more about the disease and help our bodies prepare itself to fight it off. Eating healthy, getting enough exercise and rest are just some ways to aid our bodies to combat cancer.

When a man reaches the age of 30 to 40, he is at risk for cancer especially prostate cancer. With that, we have to be prepared early on our lives to prevent it from happening to us. Regular checkups and living healthy lifestyle can certainly do wonders as your grow older.

Be aware to be prepared. Ask your doctor about prostate cancer or you can go online to learn more. By doing so, you are not only getting the info you need but you can share them to your family and friends and together you can prevent prostate cancer.

What is a prostate?
Prostate is a gland present on the male reproductive system. It surrounds the bladder and the first part of the urethra and contributes to semen secretion.

What are the diseases of the prostate gland?

1. Prostatitis- inflammation of the prostate gland because of infection
2. Benign enlargement of the prostate- noncancerous tumor commonly seen in men aged 50 years old and above.

What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in males. The male sex hormones or the androgen increases which also influences the growth rate of cancer cells in the area.

Where is the tumor located?
The malignant tumor is found in the posterior lobe while benign ones are found in other lobes.

What changes does the prostate gland undergo with cancer?
It becomes hard with irregular surface.

What is the growth rate? Growth rate is very fast in prostate cancer where the tumor compresses the urethra which makes it difficult to urinate.

What is its metastasis?

1. Local spread- the cancer cells spread to the reproductive system to the urinary.
2. Lymphatic spread- the cancer cells spread to the peritoneum and chest lymph nodes.
3. Blood spread- the cancer cells spread through the periprostatic venous plexus and to the vertebral veins.

What are the signs and symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

1. Presence of tumor
2. Difficulty in urination
3. Pain in the lumbo sacral area
4. Spine fracture
5. Swelling and pain in the abdomen
6. Respiratory problems
7. Weakness all over the body
8. Anemia

How  is prostate cancer diagnose?

1. Rectal examination- done to feel the prostate
2. Complete blood examinations
3. Urinalysis
4. Renal function tests
5. Serum acid phosphate- increased
6. X-ray and ultra sonography
7. CT Scan
8. MRI
9. Lymphangiography- for the lymphatic spread
10. Biopsy- for presence of cancer cells

What are the treatments for prostate cancer?

1. Urine catheterization- done to patients with urinary retention
2. Dialysis- if with kidney failure
3. Hormone therapy- to help reduce the tumor growth, Stilbestrol is given.
4. Chemotherapy
5. Radiotherapy
6. Prostatectomy- removal of the prostate
   • Partial- only the affected part is removed.
   • Radical- total removal of the prostate with nearby lymph nodes