Did you know that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men? 

That’s why it’s so important to do regular screenings. 

And if you’re a dad, or plan on being one, this blog post will be especially helpful for you!  

The prostate gland produces fluids that are part of semen and make up some of its volumes. 

Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells within the prostate gland. 

This blog post can help explain both what causes prostate cancer and how to prevent it from spreading further. 

It also has information about treatments for prostate cancer if your doctor diagnoses it with one. 

So read on and learn more about this potentially life-threatening disease!

What is the prostate

It is a small gland of the male reproductive system. The prostate is present below the bladder in front of the rectum and surrounds the urethra. 

It is about the size of a walnut but plays a significant role in the production of semen. 

The main function of the prostate and seminal vesicles is to make the seminal fluid which is passed to the urethra during ejaculation of the sperm to make the semen. 

Prostate problems usually affect older men. These may include:

• Prostatitis
• Prostatic hyperplasia
• Prostate cancer

What exactly is prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of the glandular cells in the prostate. 

It is one of the most common types of cancer occurring in men after 50-60 years of age, aside from skin cancer. Cellular growth in the gland may be benign prostatic hyperplasia or malignant. 

Almost all the cancers of the prostate are adenocarcinomas which occur by the growth of cells in the glands in the prostate. Others may include small cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, and transitional cell carcinomas. 

Some prostate cancers proliferate rapidly, others may grow slowly invading the nearby structures. The common route of spread may be via blood or lymph nodes. 

Symptoms:

Prostate cancer is usually asymptomatic in its early stages. However, symptoms get aggressive as the tumor proliferate or invades other organs. Common symptoms are:

• Difficulty starting and stopping urine
• Frequent urination
• Pain while ejaculation
• Painful urination
• Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection

Advanced Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:

The advanced stage of prostate cancer may cause the following symptoms:

• Bone pain in the vertebral column, hip, or thigh
• Fracture of bone
• Swelling in legs
• Tiredness
• Alteration of bowel habits
• Edema

Causes of prostate cancer

It’s not satisfactory what causes prostate malignant growth. It develops with the alteration of DNA. 

The DNA of a cell is responsible for its guidance during the growth period. All the directions of growth and development of cells are present in their DNA. DNA changes result in rapid proliferation and division of the cells in the prostate resulting in aggressive growth. 

The unusual cells keep living when different cells would die. The gathering abnormal cells form a tumor that can proliferate to invade the neighboring tissues. On schedule, some unusual cells can split away and spread (metastasize) to different pieces of the body.

Risk factors

Following factors may enhance your danger of prostate malignancy:

Advanced age: The chances of prostate cancer multiply as you age. It usually occurs in older men after 50-60 years of age. It is uncommon in younger adults. 

Race. Black individuals are more prone to the development of prostate cancer than do individuals of different races. It tends to be more aggressive or proliferative in people of the black race. 

Family History: If you have a family history of prostate malignancy, your chances might be expanded.

Genetic factors: If you have a family history of genes that increment the danger of breast malignancy (BRCA1 or BRCA2), your chances of prostate cancer might be higher than the person with no genetic mutation. 

Obesity: The individual with heavyweight is more prone to developing prostate cancer. Obese. The malignancy is bound to be more aggressive  and infiltrative in obese

Complications:

Difficulties of prostate malignant growth and its medicines include: 

Malignant growth that spreads (metastasizes):  Prostate cancer can spread to close organs. It may extend to the bladder, or travel through the blood vessels or lymphatics to bones or different organs cause further complications. Bone pain is the common indication after cancer spreads to bones. It also makes the bone more prone to fracture. 

Urinary Incontinence: Urinary incontinence may get more aggressive as cancer proliferate.

Erectile dysfunction: Prostate malignant growth can also cause erectile dysfunction. Its therapy, including medications, radiation, or chemotherapy may also cause the problem in maintaining an erection. 

Prevention:

The risks of prostate cancer can be prevented by:

Eating Healthy Diet: Eating a diet consist of fruits and vegetables may help reduce the chance of developing prostate cancer. Vitamins, nutrients, and antitoxins are important for maintaining cell growth. 

Exercise regularly: Exercise improves your overall health; helps maintain your body weight and can reduce your risks of devolving prostate cancer.

Maintain a healthy weight: As the individual with heavy weight is more prone to developing prostate cancer, it’s better to maintain the weight within the limits. Start exercising today and consume a healthy diet to reduce your risks of prostate malignancy. 

Talk to your doctor as early as possible: If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and start medications according to the prescription. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment help prevent the development of aggressive prostate cancer. 

Diagnosis of prostate cancer

Screening is important to detect prostate cancer at an early stage. Following diagnostic techniques are helpful:

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): Your doctor may insert his figure through your rectum to feel the enlarged prostate or its modularity. This test is not specific to cancer. An enlarged hypertrophic prostate may simulate cancer.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. If the amount of PSA in urine is more, the likelihood of prostate cancer is more. However, benign prostatic hyperplasia may also aggravate the PSA level. 

Transrectal ultrasound of prostate: Ultrasound can detect the hyperplastic prostate or its nodular nature. Usually, an ultrasound is followed by a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. 

Prostate Biopsy: Tissue is taken from the gland by inserting a needle. Biopsy confirms the nature of prostate cancer.  

Treatment strategies

The treatment of prostate cancer will depend upon the stage of cancer. Treatment options may include the following:

• Monitoring in early-stage: Prostate-specific levels are checked regularly at specific intervals to detect any malignancy. 
• Surgical removal of cancer (Prostatectomy): The prostate gland is removed by a laparoscopic approach or an open surgery may be performed. 
• Radiation therapy: Radiation may be applied along with the surgery in the advanced stage of cancer. 
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be beneficial but it has some adverse effects on the body. 
• Hormonal therapy: Androgen inhibitors are used as hormonal therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that can affect the prostate, which is located in men. 

Men with this form of cancer may have symptoms such as difficulty urinating or pain during ejaculation. 

The most common cause for prostate cancer is genetics (especially if you’ve had relatives who had prostate problems) and low-risk lifestyle factors like obesity and lack of physical activity.

If you think you might be at risk or want to discuss anything else related to your reproductive health, please contact your doctor or a health professional.

Read more about men’s health to keep healthy and living long.

REFERENCES:

[1] https://www.webmd.com/men/picture-of-the-prostate

[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150086#symptoms

[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353087

[4] https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/prostate-cancer