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Cancer of the prostate is defined as a malignant tumor growth within the prostate gland. The purpose of the prostate gland is to surround the urethra, which is the tube within you urinary system that carries the urine from the bladder to the penis, the male sex organ. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 180, 000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the United States. The American Cancer Society also states that from these 180, 000 cases, and approximate 32, 000 men die from the disease each year. Although lung cancer is the first leading cause of death of men living in the United States, prostate cancer is the second foremost cause of death by cancer in the United States. (Prostate Cancer n. p. ) Although the causes of prostate cancer are unknown, several risk factors have been identified by doctors.
Firstly, men who have had there testes removed do not develop prostatic cancer, and with the removal of testicles, or orchidectomy, prostate tumors revert. (Yahoo! Health: Prostate Cancer n. p. ) Secondly, the intake of dietary fats increase levels of testosterone which increases the risk of acquiring prostate cancer. This reason is believed to explain the fact that prostate cancer is 120 times greater in the United States, than in China, a place where fatty foods are not part of the common, or general diet. (Prostate Cancer n.
p. ) The age group of men at high risk is anyone over 60 years old. It is very rare for a man who is 40 to inhabit this disease. Moreover, African American men over 60 years old are more prone to having prostate cancer. Men who are exposed to cadmium, such as farmers, tire workers, or painters, have a high risk or attaining this disease. The men with the lowest incidence, however, are Japanese men as well as vegetarians. (Yahoo! Health: Prostate Cancer n.
p. ) Family history also plays a significant role. Men are more likely to develop prostate cancer is their fathers or brothers were victims of this disease. Many scientists are beginning to recognize some genetic markers of prostate cancer. One genetic marker is the gene known as the hereditary prostate cancer 1, or HPC 1, which appears to significantly predispose men to prostate cancer, if they had inherited a mutated form. Men can also prevent themselves from acquiring this horrible disease by going to yearly screenings, especially after they are 60 years old. Prostate cancer is a very common disease. (Prostate Cancer) Prostate cancer usually progresses slowly and produces no symptoms in its initial stages.
Some of its warning signs may eventually include difficult or painful urination, frequent urination, especially at night, and blood in the urine or semen. Other symptoms include pain in the lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs. These signs may signal that prostate cancer cells have spread to the ribs, pelvis, and other bones. All these symptoms, however, may be of another origin.
Such origins may include a simple infection, or an enlargement of the prostate. These simple things are just natural results of the aging process. (Prostate Cancer) A rectal exam typically reveals hard, or irregular surfaces of an enlarged prostate, which would indicate that the individual has prostate cancer. Men with prostate cancer face the best chance of recovery when the illness is detected at an early stage. By detecting it at an early stage, it is easy to prevent it from spreading. Medical researchers are studying new methods of detection such as genetic screening, as well as a number of new innovative treatments. Physicians are also suggesting that men take simple preventive measures such as diets low in animal fats. (Combating Prostate Cancer n.
p. ) Some tests that can be taken in order to detect whether a man has prostate cancer or not is the following. Since screenings are so important, these few tests have been created. Urinanalysis is used to reveal blood or pus in the urine, which indicates prostate abnormalities. Urine or prostatic fluid cytology reveals the atypical cells, which are cells that are different from others. A prostate biopsy confirms the disease.
An IVP though is used to detect whether the cancer cells of prostate cancer have spread. A bone scan is also used to notice whether the cancer cells spread or not. These are some of the many tests that have been used to discover prostate cancer, and whether it has spread or not. (Yahoo Health: Prostate Cancer n. p. ) According to the American Cancer Society, 92 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer survive at least five years after diagnosis, and 67 percent survive ten years. If the cancer is discovered while still localized, the five-year relative survival rate is nearly 100 percent.
About 79 percent of prostate cancers are discovered at this stage. (The Prostate Cancer info link n. p. ) Since prostate cancer is most frequently diagnosed in older men and often has a long protracted course, many investigators question whether any treatment is actually necessary especially in low risk cancer. Data from the Prostate Cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial (PIVOT) which is a long-term prospective, randomized trial comparing early diagnosis and active treatment versus no treatment (watchful waiting), will not be available for several years. Therefore, data from long-term studies on the natural history of untreated localized prostate cancer need to be evaluated to provide guidance to urologists and patients facing prostate cancer today. (The Prostate Cancer info link n. p. ) There are several stages of prostate cancer that determine the danger of the disease.
Stage A is when the tumor is not palpable, able to be felt, but happens to be detectable in a microscope through a biopsy. Stage B is when the tumor is blatant, and is confined to prostate. Stage C is when there is an extension of the tumor beyond the prostate, but is not metastasis or all over. Stage D, which is the most awful stage, is when the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes. (Yahoo Health: Prostate cancer n. p. ) Combating Prostate Cancer. "Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2001. 1993 - 2000 Microsoft Corporation.
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Research essay sample on American Cancer Society Prostate Cancer
