An Examination Of The Prostate And Its Effect On Male Life

                                                                                         

The prostate is a fairly small gland which is approximately the the same size as a walnut and is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. An important gland, the prostate generates the fluid which helps carry male sperm.

One major problem that can arise with the prostate is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a life-threatening condition that can be expected to strike roughly ten percent of all men and is the second commonest cause of cancer related death in men today.

So how does prostate cancer begin?

Prostate cancer starts as a malignant tumor growing in the prostate gland which, if not treated, will spread over time into the nearby tissue and organs and into the bone and lymph nodes.

So what are the risk factors involved?

Nearly three-quarters of people affected with prostate cancer are over the age of 65.

Men with family members such as a father or grandfather who have had prostate cancer are 11 times more likely to contract prostate cancer at some point in their lives.

The death rate from prostate cancer rises with weight and is especially high in men who are obese.

Caucasian men are more than twice as likely to develop prostate cancer than those of African decent.

What can I do to stop myself from suffering from prostate cancer?

In reality there is nothing you can do to stop yourself from contracting prostate cancer although many people believe that eating a healthy diet can lower the possibilities. At this point in time there is little if any evidence to support this.

Diagnosing prostate cancer.

There are a number of different tests for prostate cancer including the prostate specific antigen test, the digital rectal exam and a biopsy.

The prostate specific antigen test is a blood test which measures the level of a prostate specific antigen in the bloodstream. High prostate specific antigen levels do not mean that you have prostate cancer but are a pointer to a possible problem which should be investigated further.

The digital rectal exam requires a doctor to wear a glove and insert a lubricated finger into the anus so that he can feel the prostate for signs of enlargement or irregularity.

In the case of a biopsy the doctor will take several tissue samples from the prostate which will then be studied under a microscope for any signs of abnormal cells.

About the author:
Call by The ProstrateProblemCenter.com for much more information about prostate problems including everything from enlarged prostate symptoms to the PSA blood test


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