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If you know what the symptoms of prostate cancer are, you will be aware and look for any signs which may point to prostate cancer. Even a hint of a suspicion should be enough to get you to go to your doctor and he will be able to clinically examine you and set your doubts at rest.

Prostate cancer research is an ongoing project and new things keep on getting discovered. Because of advances in technology, it has become easier to diagnose prostate cancer at an early stage and also treat it better so there are greater chances of getting cured.

Early Warning Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer

One of the most common early warning symptoms of prostate cancer is urinary problems.
If you have trouble passing urine, if you feel like going too often, if you have to keep waiting for it come, or the force of the stream is not normal, you need to get it checked out. It may be as simple as a urinary infection or diabetes or many other problems which are not critical illnesses, but you do need to rule out prostate cancer.

If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you need to be all the more aware of urinary problems. Apart from ruling out any other disease, the doctor only has to clinically examine you and/or do a simple blood test to check if you have prostate cancer. Even if you have a benign lump, it may need to be taken out. If your blood test is positive, then you will probably be sent for an ultrasound.

Possible Scenarios

While it can be quite distressing to entertain the possibility of having prostate cancer, it is better to know for sure rather than burying your head in the sand. If you have a positive mental attitude you and your doctor can work in tandem to ensure that things go smoothly.

Once the tests diagnose cancer, you and your doctor will have to decide what should be done and what will be in your best interests. Sometimes, depending on your age, the size of the lump and other factors, the doctor may decide to adopt a wait and watch approach.

The type, size, grade and stage of the cancerous growth along with your age and health will have to be taken into account when discussing prostate cancer treatments. Whether it is surgery, which type of surgery (there are many different types), radiation therapy (again which type) are all issues which have to be discussed with an oncologist.

Cancer is a critical illness, but people do triumph over such illnesses and live healthy productive lives for longer periods of time than ever before. Prostate cancer treatments have come a long way since their inception, so you should set your worries at rest.

When prostate cancer has moved out of the prostate and reached into other parts of the body it is referred to as advanced prostate cancer and advanced prostate cancer treatment is far more difficult than treatment when the disease is confined to the prostate gland.

As long as prostate cancer has not spread too widely and is not particularly aggressive it is possible not just to treat it but in fact to cure it. However, in many cases where the disease has spread widely, or is especially aggressive, treatment becomes a matter of simply holding back the progress of the disease and giving you the best quality of life possible.

At present one of the main prostate cancer treatment options for advanced prostate cancer is chemotherapy often using a drug called docetaxal. Docetaxal is a particularly effective drug for a lot of patients and it does indeed slow the progression of advanced prostate cancer and extend the life of many people. Nevertheless, it does have some side effects which include such things as nausea, loss of appetite, hair loss and an increased risk of infection. As a result it is here that we encounter one of the biggest difficulties in advanced prostate cancer treatment.

Where you are treating a disease that cannot be cured and which will kill you sooner or later, then extending your life by slowing down the progress of the cancer is fine providing that treatment gives you a reasonable quality of life and does not leave you with the feeling that the treatment is worse than the cancer itself.

For many prostate cancer sufferers, who are normally in their 60s, 70s or even 80s, chemotherapy is not exactly pleasant but it is a price worth paying when they initially begin their course of treatment. However, as time goes by and the side effects start to build up the picture often changes and many patients begin to ask whether it is worth it. Of course this is never an easy question to answer and must be the subject of a discussion between you and your doctor.

Many of us are familiar with this picture either as a result of our own personal experience of illness or from our experience of seeing a family member or close friend in this situation and will know well just how hard a time it can be.

Now, however, there may be a little light at the end of the tunnel because studies involving a group of patients with metastatic prostate cancer indicate that a lot of patients may be able to take a ‘chemo holiday’ without significant harm to their treatment. Put another way, following a number of weeks of chemo, and when the side effects are beginning to get you down, you may be able to stop your treatment for a time and give your body a chance to recover a little before going on with your treatment.

Naturally it is early days yet and no-one is quite certain yet just how long a ‘chemo holiday’ could be or how frequently you can take one, but for a significant number of advanced prostate cancer patients this apparently minor advance in treatment may make a world of difference.

When it comes to  prostate anatomy the first thing you will need to be aware of is that the prostate is a tiny organ that is no bigger in size than a small chestnut and which sits in front a that small bucket called the bladder that in turn is located inside of the stomach. Another part of the body’s anatomy is the urethra that is a tube running from the bucket’s lower side and which runs into the middle of your prostate.

Location Of The Prostate

The bladder holds your urine and when your bladder muscles relax you will need to urinate. However, this relaxation also causes the urine to rush into your urethra that runs through your prostate before being expelled from the penis. Therefore it is necessary that you also understand prostate anatomy in order to know where the prostate is located.

The prostate in fact is located both in front of as well as beneath the bladder and it wraps it around your urethra. By understanding this aspect of prostate anatomy you will be able to understand how problems with your prostate such as enlargement, inflammation as well as infection can interfere with your ability to urinate normally as well as to have normal sex.

It is in fact necessary to understand prostate anatomy because only then will you be able to understand why you are having problems with your ejaculation. In fact, the prostate gland, an essential part of prostate anatomy, is situated beneath the bladder and is wrapped around your urethra and it serves the function of adding certain specific fluids to the sperm prior to ejaculation of the sperm.

Sperm as everyone knows is produced in your testicles from where it moves to your epididymis and there it will mature after which it moves into a pair of small and muscular tubes that are known as vas deferens that are located around your bladder and to what are know as seminal vesicles. By understanding prostate anatomy you can also learn how, when you ejaculate, these seminal vesicles as well as the prostate glands need to contract in order to expel the contents into the urethra, and more particularly its prostate parts after which it goes out from the tip of your penis.

Besides understanding prostate anatomy and its functions, it is also necessary to learn about what main problems affect the prostate gland. Another important issue related to prostate anatomy and prostate cancer is knows the proper prostate cancer cure, which in most cases means undergoing surgery or having hormonal therapy. In fact, prostate cancer is the second most serious form of cancer in males in the developed world and thus needs to be addressed on a war footing.

Strange as it may seem for years men knew little about their prostate gland and it is only in recent years as prostate cancer has become such a prominent issue that men are beginning to ask what the prostate gland is and what its function is.

The prostate gland is a vital part of the male reproductive system that produces the clear liquid which makes up a significant portion of a man’s seminal fluid. Sperm is carried from the testes up to the prostate where it is mixed with prostatic fluid and proteins to form semen.

A healthy prostate is roughly the size of a walnut, weighs roughly one ounce and lies just under the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is also frequently described as being shaped like a donut and partly wraps around the urethra, which is the tube which carries urine from the bladder and out of the body.

Throughout a man’s life the prostate gland continues to grow, although from the early twenties until the mid-forties growth is very slow and is more or less undetectable. Once a man gets to approximately forty-five however it is very common for the growth of the prostate gland to speed up and the vast majority of men will start to experience the symptoms of an enlarging prostate in their forties or fifties.

In the majority of cases an enlarging gland merely produces some mild discomfort that many men simply learn to live with. In other cases however the prostate may become so enlarged that it pinches the urethra enough to cause a number of symptoms that need treatment or persuade a man to ask for treatment to ease his discomfort. Growth of the prostate gland at this point in a man’s life is a normal part of aging and is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BHP.

However, the biggest problem with an enlarged prostate is that this could be something more than just a case of enlargement and can be masking the growth of an underlying cancer.

As the prostate grows it also starts to press on the urethra and to narrow this particular tube so that the first symptoms of an enlarged prostate are generally seen when it comes to urinating. Specifically you might experience difficulty in urinating and experience the need to ‘push’ in order to start the process. You could also suffer from a weak flow in your urine and one which tends to stop and start. As time goes on you will also find that you need to visit the bathroom more frequently, particularly at night, and that you feel as if you need to visit the bathroom even after you have just done so.

Not surprisingly this could become more than a little bit of a nuisance but, nevertheless, many men are happy to merely put it down as one of the inevitable difficulties of aging and learn to live with it. There is nothing wrong with this of course but the mistake which all too many men make is not to consult their doctor at this stage to check that the problem is only BPH and that it is not likely to lead to other problems in their particular case.

Aside from the obvious risk of the possibility of an underlying cancer, BPH can also lead to other problems such as bladder infections and kidney disease.

If you start to encounter signs and symptoms that point to a developing prostate problem then visit your doctor so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated.

A PSA test, or a prostate specific antigen test, is meant to measure the presence of the hormone and enzymes that causes semen to liquefy from its original gelatinous state. This makes it easier for semen to pass through the cervical canal during sexual intercourse. It’s used as a detector of an enlarged prostate gland, which is one of the earliest and most noticeable prostate cancer symptoms. Prostate cancer is one of the most lethal diseases in men over fifty years old. It’s slow to grow, so it’s important to catch this condition early. An enlarged prostate is noticeable mainly by its symptoms, such as trouble urinating, blood in urine or stool, and possible impotence.

It’s important to have a proper PSA level. A PSA test measures the amount of enzyme present by taking a biopsy of the prostate, comparing the amount of PSA in the sample and comparing it to an ultrasound scan of the prostate to determine if it’s the size it should be. Generally, the accepted healthy level of PSA is between 4 and 10 nanograms per milliliter. Any more than this is linked to an increase in the likelihood of prostate cancer. The best way to keep these levels in an acceptable level is to ejaculate frequently – it’s commonly accepted that men who ejaculate at least five times a week are a third less likely to develop prostate cancer. A low-stress lifestyle, with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is another possible preventive measure.

Causes of PSA Increase

PSA isn’t just at high levels because of an enlarged prostate – it also can be at high levels before and after ejaculation, and also if the prostate gland itself is infected. The prostate, when infected, can cause there to be many of the same symptoms of an enlarged prostate because of the inflammation.

PSA tests are debated as to whether or not they’re really a good measure of how large the prostate gland is. This is because, as stated, the prostate can be enlarged for several reasons, and the PSA levels can be free-roaming in the blood, rather than bound to a specific protein. Even so, it’s still necessary to have so form of regular examination to see that the prostate gland hasn’t become too enlarged and isn’t infected.
Although prostate cancer is a lethal disease if untreated, it can be taken care of if the disease is detected early on with a PSA test.

Although cancer and surgery are the two most commonly used methods of prostate cancer treatment, there are several other methods that are more exotic, and are considered to be advanced prostate cancer treatment. These methods are used in the various stages of prostate cancer, and have varying levels of effectiveness depending on the patient’s medical history, complications and responsiveness to previous methods of advanced prostate cancer treatment. Some advanced prostate cancer treatments are hormone therapy, cryotherapy and advanced ultrasound.

Hormonal therapy is the first method of advanced prostate cancer treatment. Its purposes it to prevent the cancer cells from getting dihydrogen testosterone, which is the hormone prostate cancer cells need to grow and metastasize. However, this is not a method used to actually cure prostate cancer. Instead, it’s used on cases where the cancer has spread to other organs, so they can be kept from becoming more infected. This advanced prostate cancer treatment is also given in conjunction with radiation therapy to keep the cancer from returning if possible.

The Latest Treatment on Prostate Cancer

One of the other options of prostate cancer treatment is cryosurgery. Cryosurgery is the application of cold temperatures to the infected tissue, thus freezing the water in the infected cells and killing them. Cryosurgery as an advanced prostate cancer treatment is done by inserting hollow metal rods through the perineum into the prostate, and then supercooled argon gas is pumped through the rods. The gas cools the cells to -320 degrees Fahrenheit. The urethra is protected by a current of warm water flowing through a catheter. The main problem with this treatment is impotence because of the freezing of the prostate. However, cryosurgery carries much less of a chance of reoccurring cancer than do other types of treatment, such as radiation surgery.

Another method of advanced prostate cancer treatment is ultrasound. This is when sound waves are directed at the cancerous cells, thus heating them up and destroying them. Sound waves don’t normally do this, but they do if focused on a small point like the beams of the sun through a magnifying glass. Ultrasound therapy has very little risk of recurrence or side effects as compared to other methods.

These methods of advanced prostate cancer treatment are other options than the standard surgery and radiotherapy, and have different levels of success. Generally, it seems that ultrasound therapy is the most effective in terms of preventing a return of the cancerous tissue.

It’s a fact that no man in his right mind would willingly want to expose himself to a total stranger and have his rectum manually probed by a gloved hand, even if that gloved hand happens to belong to a doctor. However, if you are a guy who is nearing your fifties or is fifty years old or  older, you might need to alter your thinking about prostate examinations.
The Importance Of A Prostate Examination
An annual prostate examination may be necessary for older men because the prostate tends to enlarge as a person gets older.  It is often recommended for men who are fifty years old or older, especially men who are at a high risk for any form of cancer, and is done through the manual palpation the prostate, that walnut-sized gland which is palpable through the anterior portion of your rectum. For those with a family-history of cancer, especially prostate cancer, prostate examinations should be done annually starting at the age of 45. Sudden changes in urination, pain in the bladder or inability to urinate may also necessitate the need for a prostate examination.
What To Expect
It is important to know what to expect before going in for a prostate examination. You will usually be oriented by the doctor or the nurse on what will happen during the exam and what you need to do.
After changing into a hospital gown, you will be asked to face the examination couch and bend forward so that your arms and elbows are resting on the couch. The doctor, using lubricated gloves, will then tell you to breathe through your mouth and relax as he slowly inserts his finger inside your rectum. You will likely feel a slight pressure but no discomfort. The doctor will then move his fingers in a circular motion inside your rectum to feel the grooves and lobes of the prostate and feel for any abnormalities. A normal prostate will feel firm and rubbery, and usually ranges from 2 to 4 cm in size. A normal prostate is also triangular in shape. After the exam the doctor will remove his fingers and you will be given a tissue to wipe the lubricant off your buttocks.
After the Prostate Examination
Depending on the results of the prostate examination, your doctor may schedule you for more tests, like a transrectal ultrasound or a biopsy. You doctor may also suggest a few lifestyle changes to reduce the risk for the development of the disease.  For some, this means going on a prostate diet, which usually consists of more fruits, vegetables and grains, a reduced intake of saturated fats, oils, sweets, and salts, as well as moderate intake of calories. Maintaining a healthy weight may also be recommended by your doctor, as there has been a consistent link between obesity and the tendency to develop certain forms of cancer.
Annual prostate examinations can lead to early detection of cancerous tumors. This is significant because the earlier the discovery, the greater the chance that medical interventions to remove or destroy the tumors will succeed and thus, the greater the chance for a positive prognosis.

Taking The Fear Out of having a Prostate Biopsy

If you are showing symptoms that may suggest that you have prostate cancer, such as trouble starting to urinate or prostate pain, then your doctor will recommend a procedure known as a prostate biopsy. A prostate biopsy is a simple procedure that is usually performed by a urologist and is the only way of making a positive diagnosis of prostrate cancer.

Although a prostrate biopsy sounds like a big deal it really isn’t. Most men find that although the procedure is uncomfortable it is relatively pain free and most only feel a small amount of pain following the procedure.

Today, there are a number of ways in which a prostate biopsy can be carried out. The most common procedure is known as the core needle biopsy. In this instance the doctor will use a biopsy gun to remove small samples of tissue from the prostrate. The biopsy gun fires a needle into the sample area and removes the tissue. Once the tissue samples have been collected they are then sent to the laboratory where they will be analyzed to see if cancer is present.

This procedure is usually done under a local anesthetic and normally takes no longer than half an hour.

Another way to do a prostate biopsy is to access the prostate gland via the urethra. As the urethra passes through the prostate gland a lighted scope that has a cutting loop attached to it is inserted into the urethra to collect the tissue samples.

This particular procedure takes 30-45 minutes and although usually done under local anesthetic may sometimes be carried out under general anesthetic.

A less common way to perform a prostate biopsy is to collect the tissue samples with a needle through the perineum. The perineum is located between the rectum and the scrotum and the urologist will keep the prostate steady by inserting a finger into the rectum. He will then use a biopsy needle that will be inserted through a small incision.

Carried out under a local anesthetic this is the quickest way to perform a prostate biopsy as it only takes about 15 minutes but is a procedure that is not often used.

Before your prostate biopsy your doctor should explain any complications that could occur for instance, there may be discomfort and bruising at the biopsy site, there may be prolonged bleeding from the biopsy site or you could have problems urinating.

After a prostate biopsy you may find that you have blood present in your urine or stools for a few days or you may even have red or reddish brown blood in your semen when you ejaculate. This could last a few weeks.

Your doctor should be notified if the amount of blood increases, you continue to have difficulty urinating or you show signs of a fever and chills.

The important thing to remember is that you may suffer some discomfort for a short while but that is far better than the consequences of not having any symptoms checked out.

Most people rightly consider prostate cancer to be a disease that affects elderly males; however, it would also be foolish to rule out the possibility that prostate cancer will not affect young men because it has been known to damage men whilst they are still in their thirties. In the case of young males, prostate cancer can develop because of hereditary reasons. In case you happen to have gone past your fiftieth birthday, getting a prostate test done is advisable.

Basic Blood Test

Essentially, a prostate test is nothing more than a basic blood test that allows doctors to catch the disease in its early stages. Getting a prostate test done can help you get protection from one of the most deadly of all diseases that is known to affect men who are in the latter stages of their lives.

When you get a prostate test done the doctor will draw blood which is then sent to a laboratory for testing and analysis. Even if the results of your prostate test turn out to be negative it does not in any way guarantee that you are free from risk of suffering from cancer; on the other hand, an abnormally high result too also does not mean that you do in fact have cancer.

What you need to look for is that your PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) count falls between 0 and 3.9 nanograms which indicate that things are normal with you. Any level that is above that magical 3.9 nanograms count will indicate possibility of suffering from prostate cancer that in turn can take the form of swelling or even inflammation or infection.

Once the prostate test results are in you will then need to follow your doctor’s instructions – even in instances when the results only allude to the possibility of something being wrong with you. Age also plays an important role in deciding your PSA count and the older you are the higher your PSA count will be.

It is recommended that you have your prostate test done on an annual basis. Another factor that you will need to weigh carefully is understands the prostate anatomy because once you are well informed about the prostate gland you will be in a better position to determine when it is time to undergo a prostate test.

Some other factors that can help you decide on whether or not to get a prostate test done include being in a better position to detect the problem in good time, and also that the test is very simple. The bottom line is that a prostate test is not perfect and does not clearly identify prostate cancer; it should be used only as an indicator of the presence of prostate cancer.