Know the facts - Waterworks, BPH and Prostate Cancer
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in males with about 1 in 5 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer will kill 1 out of 5 of those diagnosed. This equates to over 3,000 men dying from prostate cancer each year in Australia.
Prostate cancer is cancer that begins in tissues of the prostate gland. Located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, the prostate is the male sex gland responsible for the production of semen and also plays a role in urination control. The growth of abnormal cells can multiply in an uncontrolled way and spread outside the prostate into nearby or distant cells. Many men avoid check ups through fear, embarrassment or worries about loss of manhood, although a simple check-up is the best preventative measure you can take.
Awareness
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small gland in men that is part of the reproductive system. It's about the shape and size of a walnut and rests below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate helps make semen, which carries sperm from the testicles when a man ejaculates. The prostate normally gets bigger as a man gets older. The growth of the prostate depends on the male sex hormone, testosterone, which is made by the testicles
What are the Symptoms?
In the early stages, there are often no symptoms. Because of the proximity of the prostate gland in relation to the bladder and urethra, prostate cancer may be accompanied by a variety of urinary symptoms. Depending on the size and location, a tumour may press on and constrict the urethra, inhibiting the flow of urine. In the later stages, some symptoms of prostate cancer might include:
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Feeling the frequent or sudden need to urinate
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Finding it difficult to urinate (for example, trouble starting or not being able to urinate when the feeling is there or poor urine flow)
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Discomfort when urinating
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Finding blood in urine or semen
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Pain in the lower back, upper thighs or hips
These symptoms may not mean you have prostate cancer, but if you experience any of them, you should contact Prostate Cancer Australia for a consultation.
How is Prostate cancer detected?
Prostate cancer is an insidious disease. Symptoms and signs of prostate cancer are often only very late. Detecting prostate cancer early on is with a simple blood test called PSA and a prostate examination, either of which could save your life. Early detection is key, don’t wait until it’s too late.
Risk factors?
As an age dependant disease, the chance of developing it increases with age. Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40, but the chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. About 6 in 10 cases of prostate cancer are found in men older than 65. Prostate cancer seems to run in some families, which suggests that in some cases there may be an inherited or genetic factor. The risk increases again if more than one male relative has prostate cancer. Risks are also higher for men whose male relatives were diagnosed when young.
You can find out more information about Prostate Cancer diagnosis and treatment here www.goldcoasturologist.com.au