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The Most Important Facts and Myths About Prostate Cancer

October 8, 2023 By: Loura Chong-Reid

Introduction: What is Prostate Cancer Really?

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. It is a major cause of death for men in the United States. In this section, we will cover prostate cancer facts, symptoms, and myths. We will also go over the treatment options available and how they work. The prostate gland is located under the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of your body).

The prostate gland makes some fluid that becomes part of semen during an ejaculation. The prostate is also referred to as the "male sex gland". It surrounds the urethra and ejaculates fluid during ejaculation.


What are the Risks Factors of Developing Prostate Cancer

The risk factors of developing prostate cancer are many. Some are controllable while others are not. But all of them can be prevented if one is aware of the risks and takes precautions to avoid them. This section will discuss some of the risk factors for prostate cancer, what causes prostate cancer, and how it can be prevented. While there have been some advances in medical science in the last few decades, we still don’t know what exactly causes prostate cancer. There are many different theories about what might cause it, but none have been proven yet. Some possible factors that have been found to cause prostate cancer are:-Hormone changes at puberty-Exposure to radiation and chemicals, especially pesticides and solvents.-Age, because the risk increases with age. Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed in men over 40 years old.


How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed and Treated?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It is also the second leading cause of death. Early detection and treatment are important for successful treatment. There are different ways to diagnose prostate cancer. These include digital rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, transrectal ultrasound, and biopsies. Treatment options for prostate cancer depend on the grade of the tumor and other factors such as age and health status of the patient.

The two main treatments for prostate cancer are surgery or radiation therapy. The type of treatment chosen depends on factors like age, health status, tumor grade, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body or not.


The Stages of Prostate Cancer- Which One Do You Have?

There are four stages of prostate cancer. Stage one is the earliest stage and stage four is the most advanced stage.

Stage 1: The tumor is less than 2 centimeters, or less than 2 millimeters in diameter, and has not spread to other parts of the body. The tumor can be seen with a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) or a biopsy.

Stage 2: The tumor is more than 2 centimeters but not more than 4 centimeters, and has not spread to other parts of the body. The tumor can be seen with a TRUS or a biopsy.

Stage 3: The tumor has grown to be more than 4 centimeters but not more than 6 centimeters, and has not spread to other parts of the body. The tumor can be seen with a TRUS or a biopsy. If it grows larger, it may start to cause symptoms like difficulty urinating and pain in the back or pelvis area which may or may not be associated with a mass in the pelvis.

Stage 4: The tumor has grown to be more than 6 centimeters and has spread to other parts of the body, or if symptoms like difficulty urinating and pain in the back or pelvis area are present. If the tumor is very large and cannot be removed in the doctor's office, a hospital may be needed.

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