for: Prostate Cancer
A prostate cancer screening can help detect cancer in the prostate gland. The prostate is a gland found only in men. As shown in the picture below, the prostate is just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The size of the prostate varies with age. In younger men, it is the size of a walnut, but it can be much larger in older men. The tube that carries urine (the urethra) runs through the center of the prostate. The prostate contains cells that make some of the fluid (semen) that protects and nourishes the sperm. If you are at risk, it is important to receive a regular prostate cancer screening.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or no treatment, other types are aggressive. Autopsy studies show that many older men (and even younger men) who died of other diseases also had prostate cancer that never caused a problem during their lives. These studies showed that as many as 7 to 9 out of 10 men had prostate cancer by age 80, but neither they nor their doctors even knew they had it. Prostate cancer that is detected early, when it's still confined to the prostate gland, has a better chance of successful treatment.
Learn more about risks associated with prostate cancer and other health risks today.
What are the Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?
It's not clear what causes prostate cancer. Doctors know that prostate cancer begins when some cells in your prostate become abnormal. Mutations in the abnormal cells' DNA cause the cells to grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells. The abnormal cells continue living, when other cells would die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor that can grow to invade nearby tissue. Some abnormal cells can break off and spread to other parts of the body.
Prostate cancer may not cause signs or symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that is more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:
How do I know if I’m At Risk?
Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.
People who are at higher risk include:
Other people at risk include:
Prevention:
There's no sure way to prevent prostate cancer — but you can make diet and lifestyle choices that might aid in prostate cancer prevention. Prostate cancer is complicated, and researchers are still trying to understand its causes and determine which prostate cancer prevention strategies are safe and most effective. Following these guidelines may help lower your risk of prostate cancer. These steps may also help prevent other cancers and health conditions such as heart disease.
If you have any of the above risk factors, then get screened today!