The prostate gland dominates news on men's health and in some cultures, cancer of the prostate gland ranks highest on the list of health concerns for men. More than 400 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every week.
In Sweden and Canada, the cancer most men are affected by is prostate cancer. In the United States, prostate cancer is the number one cancer that affects men. Prostate cancer is least prevalent among Native American men.
The prostate gland has an important function in the male reproductive system. The prostate is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra.
During ejaculation, the man's sperm pass through the urethra. The urethra releases a fluid during a man's ejaculation that energizes the sperm and helps make up semen. It's called seminal fluid and it nourishes the sperm. The prostate, by its design also helps to push the sperm out with power during ejaculation.
The prostate is at the base of the bladder and can be found by a doctor during a digital rectal exam. She or he will insert a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum, in order to observe the size and shape of the prostate and feel for areas that may be lumpy or irregularly shaped.
Many men would be aware of the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, which is used in conjunction with the digital rectal exam. The presence of prostate cancer can be predicted by using this blood test. The prostate gland produces Prostate-Specific Antigen. As the prostate increases in size, the level of PSA in the blood increases.
The PSA test does not accurately signal the presence of prostate cancer, instead, it alerts the doctor to when conditions in the prostate are abnormal. Men can have an elevated PSA yet not have cancerous cells in the prostate. Avodart ( Dutasteride) and Proscar( Finasteride) both reduce the size of the prostate in men who don't have cancer but do have an enlarged prostate.
A third test is being developed which, by all indications, should be more accurate. It detects a protein marker in blood plasma. The protein marker is called the Early Prostate Cancer Antigen (EPCA).
The test that confirms the presence of cancerous cells is called a prostate biopsy. This test is done if the Rectal Digital Exam or the PSA indicates that irregular conditions are present.
Prostate cancer treatment options include traditional and alternative methods of treatment. The following six are the most popular.
Brachytherapy is a prostate cancer treatment option that involves the implantation of high dose or low dose radiation seeds in the prostate. All forms of radiation therapy involve using directed radiation exposure to kill cancer cells.
Cryosurgery is a procedure in which the prostate is frozen under controlled conditions to kill cancer cells. Cryosurgery has been used for many years to treat skin cancer. It is safe and less expensive than some treatment methods. Cryosurgery requires less hospital time and does not require radiation exposure.
A radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove the prostate. This is usually recommended when the cancer cells have not spread to other areas of the body.
Surgery can be done by using an incision which is made either between the anus and scrotum, or in the lower abdomen. A laparoscope-which would require smaller incisions-can also be used to facilitate surgery.
Alternative treatments are used to help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer and are also used to alleviate prostate cancer symptoms. Pumpkin seeds have been shown, in studies, to help regulate the formation of urine. Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols which help to shrink an enlarged prostate.
A diet rich in lycopene can lower the risk of prostate cancer. Drinking pomegranate juice daily is also recommended for reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy) is used to reduce levels of testosterone and DHT in the body. Androgen deprivation therapy may be used as a prostate cancer treatment option if cancer cells have spread beyond the prostate.
If cancer cells have spread outside of the prostate, chemotherapy may be used. It is not usually used with early cancer. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and estramustine (Emcyt).
One of the side effects of prostate cancer treatment is impotence. Men may consider discussing sperm banking with their doctor before surgery. Some men, who have had this prostate cancer treatment option, have found it rewarding to express their sexuality with their partner in ways that do not involve intercourse.
