If you’re a man, you’ve probably heard the term prostate cancer. While most men develop the disease in their middle to late forties, it can also strike younger men. Six out of 10 new cases of the disease are diagnosed in men over the age of 65. Although rare, prostate cancer can develop in men as young as 30. The incidence rate for men in this age group is higher than for other races. This makes the disease a particularly serious health problem for African-American men.
PDQ is a service provided by the National Institutes of Health, the federal government’s center for biomedical research. These summaries are based on a review of the medical literature and are not NCI policy statements. PDQ cancer information summaries contain current information on treatments for prostate cancer. These summaries are designed to be helpful to patients and their families, and do not contain formal guidelines. You should seek medical advice on your specific situation and follow any recommendations that your physician may make.
Many men may not know that their diet contributes to the risk of developing prostate cancer. While experts are still unsure about what causes the disease, they do agree that the types of foods men eat affect their risk. A diet rich in dairy products, red meat, and other processed foods may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. For these reasons, men should make sure to keep a healthy weight and limit their intake of fat from dairy products and red meat.
Another option for prostate cancer treatment is radiotherapy. This therapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is delivered through hollow needles inserted into the prostate. The high dose rate is beneficial for the patient because it causes minimal damage to the normal tissues. In addition, this treatment option may have less side effects than chemotherapy, like impotence. But it is not without risk. The risks are high, so it is vital to discuss treatment options with your doctor.
A biopsy is another option for diagnosing prostate cancer. A biopsy is a process wherein a small needle is inserted through the rectum into the prostate to obtain tissue samples for testing. MRI may also be used to confirm the cancer and its spread. However, this type of procedure may also be done during a surgical procedure called transurethral resection of the prostate. However, it is still not recommended for all cases of the disease.
Although prostate cancer doesn’t usually have any symptoms, early-stage cases can result in leakages that can happen before you can get to the toilet. Early-stage cancer doesn’t press on the urethra, so there’s usually no warning signs that you have it. However, if you experience sudden need to urinate, this may be a sign that you should visit the doctor. This condition is one of the most common cancers in men, but it’s important to note that it usually occurs in more than one location.
