What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that transports sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and are confined to the prostate gland, where they don't cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need little or even no treatment, other types are aggressive.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
The only known cause of this form of cancer is the abnormal formation and DNA of cells in the prostates. Once these cells begin to form they build and form a tumor, and without immediate treatment those abnormal cells can quickly begin to spread throughout the rest of the body.
What Are Some Risk Factors?
Some common risk factors of prostate cancer can include the following:
Old age: the risk of prostate cancer increases and you grow older, so individuals at age 50 and above are more likely to get this form of cancer
Genetics: if you're family has a history of prostate cancer or breast cancer you are most likely to get it as well
Race: individuals who are African American have been found to be more likely to get this form of cancer for reasons not known yet
What Are Some Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Symptoms will differ from person to person with some having severe symptoms or no symptoms at all, however these are the most common symptoms:
Trouble urinating and little force of urine
Erectile Dysfunction
Blood in the urine or semen
Bone pain
Losing weight
Think You Are Suffering From Prostate Cancer?
If you are having any of the symptoms listed above, it is recommended you consult your doctor about those symptoms immediately and several test screenings can be done to deny or confirm whether you are suffering from this illness or not. Ultrasounds and MRI's are the most common screenings to diagnose prostate cancer.
Treatment/Prevention
Treatment for prostate cancer is different for certain people, depending on how quickly the cancer is growing, low-grade prostate cancer may not need immediate treatment. Here are some types of treatment for prostate cancer:
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Target drug therapy
Surgery to remove the cancer tissue
heating/freezing the tissue
Tucson Clinica Medica Familiar is a family medicine practice focused on providing high-quality care to patients of all ages! We specialize in family practice, pediatrician and geriatrics, Tucson Clinica Medica Familiar team works closely with each patient to develop personalized care plans aimed at promoting health and wellness.
We accept most health insurance, and also those without health insurance.
Call us at 520-620-1200 to learn more about us today. Or visit our website www.tucsonclinicamedicafamiliar.com