Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a small walnut shaped gland in the male body. It surrounds the urethra and is responsible for generating some of the semen that is mixed with the sperm during ejaculation. Although this is a very small gland, it is the center of a lot of attention because it causes so many problems in many males. As a matter of fact, one out of every six males will experience prostate cancer at some time in their lives. Here is a little bit about prostate cancer, what causes it and what can be done about it.
Fortunately, prostate cancer is not in a very aggressive form of cancer and is usually easily treatable. The cancer that is found in the prostate does not typically spread to other areas of the body so it is not usually a threat. That doesn't mean, however, that you should simply ignore it. Prostate cancer can be fatal if it is not treated properly so it is best if it is caught early so that treatment can take place. There are some forms of prostate cancer which are aggressive and can spread throughout the body so your doctor will need to make the determination of which type of cancer you have.
Unfortunately, there are not really any signs or symptoms that show up early in the stages of prostate cancer. Although there may be some such as a difficulty in urinating or a decreasing urine stream, it is often difficult to detect in this matter. More than likely, the cancer will be caught as part of a routine exam that many men have in order to check the prostate. As a matter of fact, it is important that you have this done on a regular basis so that any difficulties can be caught early enough so that they are treatable. Once the cancer has started to spread, other symptoms may begin to show up. If the cancer is still in the area of the prostate, you will typically notice blood in either you're urine or you're semen. If it goes to the lymph nodes you may have leg swelling or pelvic discomfort.
There are plenty of ways that prostate cancer is treated, most of which deal with some form of radiation or hormone therapy. Many of these have been shown to work in a number of cases but they are not without a list of side effects. As a matter of fact, you can experience anything from a large breasts, erectile dysfunction, diarrhea, loss of bladder control or are even damage in other organs of the body. All of these side effects should be weighed carefully with your doctor before a treatment is chosen.
Of course, the best way to deal with prostate cancer is to make sure that you don't get it in the first place. You have a much better chance of having a healthy prostate if you eat the right types of foods and get plenty of exercise.