Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a gland located directly in front of the rectum. This gland is walnut-shaped and helps to provide fluid that aids in the transport of sperm.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a group of cells within the prostate that grow abnormally. This group of abnormal cells can potentially invade and/or destroy healthy tissue and organs.

Prostate cancer does not grow the same in everyone. Some forms grow and spread quickly, while others grow extremely slow. Aggressive forms of prostate cancer require aggressive response time and treatment. Slower forms usually present little harm and can be observed and/or treated at a more relaxed pace.

Prostate cancer signs and symptoms:

Early-stage prostate cancer generally does not have symptoms, though in certain cases it can present with some. Aside from regular checkups, if you experience any of the conditions, listed below, it is suggested that you seek the help of a health care professional.

- Persistent hip or back pain - Difficulty urinating - Painful or burning urination - Blood in your urine

Remember:  most prostate cancers do not present any symptoms at all. These signs could be representative of something else, as the prostate is in close proximity to the urethra. However, these signs would be the best indicator that something could be wrong.

Why get regular checkups?

Statistics alone are scary, but the reality is everyone needs to take care of their body. With a little luck, your test will come back negative and you can walk away with a clean bill of health and peace of mind. For those who test positive, early diagnosis is the largest advantage in treating and curing the disease.

Prostate cancer has shown to affect a variety of races differently. For example, African-American men hold the highest risk of developing prostate cancer at a rate of 50%. They also appear to have a higher death rate from prostate cancer than any other average American male. The good news – this group of men have the same chance of being cured as any other average American man.

The best thing any man can do is go in for regular checkups. Prostate screenings can be elective, so the best way to decide which steps you want to take in your prostate health is to talk with your physician.