Prostate cancer affects many men across America and it is the cancer of the prostate gland which is located near the bladder. If you don’t get treated for prostate cancer early, the cancer could spread to other parts of the body. This is why you should get a prostate examination as you get older. Some medical experts say you should start prostate examinations when you turn 40 while others say you should this when you are at least 35. If you need to research prostate cancer, you can read medical journals and talk with your doctor. Also talk with friends or relatives who survived this cancer.
Your Symptoms Must Not Be Ignored
One reason why you should get a prostate examination is because you do not want to ignore certain symptoms. For example, if you experience frequent pain in urination, this is a probable sign of prostate cancer. Other symptoms of prostate cancer include swelling of the legs and pelvic pain. If you let these symptoms go on for weeks or months, you put yourself at risk for advanced stage cancer.
Your Family History and Ethnicity May Put You At Risk
Another reason why you should get a prostate examination is that your family history and ethnicity may put you at risk of developing prostate cancer. For example, older African-American men have high risks of getting prostate cancer. If several men in your family have died from or survived prostate cancer, you should get the exam.
Treatment Can Save Your Life
If your doctor detects prostate cancer early, you can receive treatment which will stop further spread of the cancer. This treatment includes radiation, removal of the prostate gland and medicines. If you wait too late for the exam, you will reduce your chances of survival with the treatment.
Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
A major way doctors diagnose prostate cancer is with a PSA test. This test detects the amount of prostate-specific antigen in your bloodstream and if these levels are too high, you may have early signs of prostate cancer. The trans-rectal ultrasound is also used in diagnosing the cancer. With this test the doctor examines the size of the prostate for tumors.
Chances of Remission With Early Detection
You may hear your doctor talk about the cure rate and survival as it relates to the detection and treatment of cancer. The cure rate is defined as the percentage of patients with low levels of PSA in their bloodstream. The survival rate is the percentage of patients who will live for a few years after the diagnosis and treatment. Each patient will have a different cure rate and survival rate based on the severity of the illness.
Latest Treatment Methods of Prostate Cancer
If you get a prostate examination, you will be able to take advantage of the latest treatments that arrived on the scene in recent years. For example, cryosurgery is a treatment in which abnormal tissues are frozen to eliminate the cancer from your prostate. Biologic therapy works by boosting your immune system to decrease the cancer.
Prostate Cancer May Claim Your Life
A major reason why you should get a prostate examination is that you could die from prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there are 192,000 new cases of prostate cancer each year and 80 is the main age at which men die from the cancer although some patients die at younger ages. If you have stage three or four prostate cancer, your chances of death increase.
Expert Advice
When you put off the prostate examination, you miss out on advice that the doctor can give you regarding the prevention and management of prostate cancer. He may talk about how you can make changes in your diet or cutting out certain lifestyle habits to reduce cancer rates.
Conclusion
You do not have to wonder if you have prostate cancer or not because the prostate examination will let you know if you are at risk. It relieves the stress of not knowing because you will receive the necessary treatments to save your life.
