This is a type of cancer that only impacts genetically born males. The prostate is an organ that tends to become problematic in men as they age, but prostate cancer can develop as early as adolescence. Here is a look at what prostate cancer is, how it affects patients, and efforts that men can take to detect it early so they can be treated as soon as possible.
When Do Men Become at Risk for Prostate Cancer?
Although doctors do general health exams on male patients of all ages that may include a prostate check, more precise screenings don’t really begin until around the age of 40. As male testosterone levels drop with age, the risk of prostate cancer rises. Males can expect to have their prostates checked annually, or at least every time they have a wellness check-up, from age 40 and above with increasing scrutiny.
The Signs of Prostate Cancer
In the beginning, there aren’t that many signs of prostate cancer that cannot also be attributed to something else. Prostate cancer usually results in an enlarged prostate, which isn’t abnormal for men as they get older. An enlarged prostate will make it difficult for a man to pass urine and it can lead to other issues related to intimacy. Prostate cancer signs and symptoms become more apparent as the disease gets into the later stages. If you begin passing urine or feel pain during intimacy, you may have an advanced form of prostate cancer.
How to Have Prostate Cancer Treated
The first step involved in having prostate cancer treated is having it diagnosed. A simple blood test will detect markers for prostate cancer. Doctors can order scans or biopsies of the prostate to see if it contains cancerous cells or if it is enlarged due to older age. Sometimes, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is effective in eradicating prostate cancer and other times the prostate needs to be at least partially removed. One reassuring thing about prostate cancer is that it is not usually a fatal disorder. The majority of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer eventually go on to become prostate cancer survivors.
Doctors know that males who eat unhealthy diets and do not get annual health screenings are more at risk of having prostate cancer and being diagnosed in the later stages. On the other hand, not very much else is known about prostate cancer risk factors or what males can do to avoid it. Visit the best NYC urologists by contacting us about scheduling an appointment today.