By Kara Masterson
According to the American Cancer Society, seven out of ten American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite this cancer’s slow progression, one out of 36 men diagnosed will die of the disease, making it the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men in the United States. By educating yourself with these six tips toward identifying prostate cancer through awareness and early detection methods, you will be empowered increase you chance for long term survival.
Know Your Family’s Medical History
Family medical history plays a significant role in your own medical profile. Since prostate cancer runs in some families, it is important to know if any male relatives in your family, particularly your father or a brother, have been diagnosed under the age of 65. The incidence of prostate cancer diagnosis in your family will alter the age at which your physician will recommend screenings.
Be Aware of Changes in Your Urogenital Function
If you notice an increase in the frequency of urination, alert your physician. This may be the result of a benign prostate gland enlargement that develops in most men as they age, but it can also be a warning sign. You should also inform your physician of erectile changes, blood in the urine or semen or a weakened urine stream.
Age of Screenings
Screenings typically begin at age 50 for men of average risk. If you have a history of prostate cancer in your family, you should begin screenings earlier. The first method of screening is a blood test that detects the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Discuss with your physician when you should begin screenings.
Accept the Importance of a Digital Rectal Examination
While the PSA blood test is the first step in early detection, a low level result is not a guarantee that a man does not have prostate cancer. A digital rectal examination enables your physician to manually examine the prostate for any physical abnormalities, such as lumps or hardened areas that may warrant further investigation. Neither the PSA blood test nor the digital rectal examination is a perfectly accurate detector of cancer on its own. When both tests are performed together, the chance for detection improves.
Biopsy: The Final Step In Identification
A high PSA blood test result or an abnormal finding during the digital rectal examination will prompt your physician to recommend a biopsy of the prostate. Tissue samples are taken from the prostate and evaluated for the presence of cancer cells. This is the definitive test for confirming a diagnosis of prostate cancer. If cancer cells are identified, the Gleason score will be used to determine the stage of the disease, and your physician will then discuss your treatment options.
Avoid Advanced Signs of Prostate Cancer
Early prostate cancer presents no definitive symptoms. Failure to screen for prostate cancer can result in the disease progressing to advanced stages. Some of the signs of advanced prostate cancer can also be symptomatic of other conditions. Notify your physician if you experience pain in the hips, spine or ribs, which may be indicative of cancer spread into the bones. Weakness in the lower extremities and loss of bowel or bladder control may result from the growing cancer applying pressure to the spinal cord. Avoid these devastating consequences by discussing your risk factors with your physician and following his screening recommendations.
Awareness of the aforementioned tips can greatly improve your chances for early detection of prostate cancer. Today’s advancements in treatment, including noninvasive radiosurgery procedures, have made the prognosis and treatment for early prostate cancer more favorable than ever before. Understanding how to identify prostate cancer is the first step toward a longer and healthier life. For more information, please check with International HIFU, working to eliminate prostate cancer.
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