My Uncle just found out he has prostate cancer, I really don't know very much about this and was wondering if I could get some insight from others? How serious is this type of cancer, and what exactly is it? Thanks for all your help.
Cancer - 6 Answers
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1 :
Any cancer can be serious and spread to other parts of the body. See the link below for more info on Prostate Cancer
2 :
If caught in an early stage it is perfectly curable. Overall about 80% of prostate cancer patients are alive after 5 years.I think that many of the answers you seek can be found at http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2657
3 :
Prostate cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces seminal fluid, the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, affecting about one in six men in the United States. A diagnosis of prostate cancer can be scary not only because it can be life-threatening, but also because treatments can cause side-effects such as bladder control problems and erectile dysfunction (impotence). But diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer have gotten much better in recent years. 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 and can spread quickly. If prostate cancer is detected early-when it's still confined to the prostate gland-you have a better chance of successful treatment. Prostate cancer usually doesn't produce any noticeable symptoms in it's early stages, so many stages of prostate cancer aren't detected until the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. For most men, prostate cancer is first detected during a routine screening such as a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test or a digital rectal exam (DRE). When signs and symptoms do occur, they depend on how advanced the cancer is and how far the cancer has spread. Early signs and symptoms of prostate cancer can include urinary problems, caused when the prostate tumor presses on the bladder or on the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). However, urinary symptoms are much more commonly caused by benign prostate problems, such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate infections. Less than 5% of cases of prostate cancer have urinary problems as the initial symptom. When urinary signs and symptoms do occur, they can include, Trouble urinating Starting and stopping while urinating Decreased force in the stream of urine Cancer in the prostate or the area around the prostate can cause: Blood in your urine Blood in your semen Prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in your pelvis may cause: Swelling in your legs Discomfort in the pelvic area Advanced prostate cancer that has spread to your bones can cause: Bone pain that doesn't go away Bone fractures Compression of the spine Cancer is a group of abnormal cells that grow more rapidly than normal cells and that refuse to die. Cancer cells also have the ability to invade and destroy normal tissues, either by growing directly into surrounding structures or after traveling to another part of your body through your bloodstream or lymph system (metastasize). Microscopic cancer cells develop into small clusters that continue to grow, becoming more densely packed and hard. What causes prostate cancer and why some types behave differently are unknown. Research suggests that a combination of factors may play a role, including heredity, ethnicity, hormones, diet and the environment. Knowing the risk factors for prostate cancer can help you determine if and when you want to begin prostate screening. The main risk factors include: Age. After age 50, your chance of having prostate cancer increases. Race or Ethnicity. For reasons that aren't well understood, black men have a higher risk of developing and dying of prostate cancer. Family History. If your father or brother has prostate cancer, your risk of the disease is greater than that of the average man. Diet. A high-fat diet and obesity may increase your risk of prostate cancer. One theory is that fat increases the production of the hormone testosterone, which may promote the development of prostate cancer cells. High Testosterone Levels. Because testosterone naturally stimulates the growth of the prostate gland, men who use testosterone therapy are more likely to develop prostate cancer than are men who have lower levels of testosterone. Also, doctors are concerned that testosterone therapy may fuel the growth of prostate cancer that is already present. Long-term testosterone treatment also may cause prostate gland enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia). If you have difficulties with urination, see your doctor. This condition doesn't always relate to prostate cancer, but it can be a sign of prostate-related problems. Beginning at age 50, the American Cancer Society recommends having yearly screening test for prostate cancer. If you're black or have a family history of the disease, you may want to begin at a younger age. Yearly screenings can help detect prostate cancer early, when it's easier to treat. They include: PSA Test. This blood test checks levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which can be a sign of prostate cancer. While this test can detect signs of cancer, elevated PSA levels are sometimes caused by conditions other than cancer, such as prostate enl
4 :
It can really get bad. I know if caught early it can be cured. He should have a healthy diet and you MUST include high antioxidant supplements and supplements with TOCOTRIENOLS Google TOCOTRIENOLS AND CANCER My fiance's dad has prostrate cancer and is using a product that has it. For more info or to find the product and research go to http://www.kyani.net/acollins
5 :
Wow, did Jennifer ever hit the nail on the head! Excellent answer on what it is and how to recognize it. I will say also that it is, like all cancers, very serious. It can be fatal depending on how aggressive it is, how far advanced it is and the treatments used to control it. No one I know who has cancer uses the word "cure" when referring to cancer as no matter how good the treatment, all it takes is one cancerous cell to get loose and start the process all over again. Additives and supplements are a very dangerous, unproven way to go in responding to cancer as are all "alternative" therapies. Caught early, when the cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself, it is very treatable with brachytherapy, surgery and/or radiation. I have had the brachytherapy and radiation and have had "No Evidence of Cancer (N.E.D.)" for 4 years on my follow-up PSA tests. I HAVE had pretty bad side effects/after effects of the therapies which are not at all common, but must be considered when choosing a treatment option. I didn't have a whole lot of choice since my cancer had spread outside the prostate to the surrounding soft tissue. Surgery probably wouldn't have gotten it all. Chemotherapy is generally not an option or at least a good option since blood circulation within the prostate is minimal.
6 :
The seriousness depends on the stage of prostate cancer your uncle has. I had prostate cancer in 2005. My PSA was 4.5 and I had a gleason of 6. This is sort of mid stage or below. Your uncles conditions depends on his PSA number and his Gleason Score. My cancer was very treatable. I had Proton Radiation treatments at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda California. I think Proton Radiation is the very best treatment available for prostate cancer . It has about a 90% cure rate and little to no side effects. Proton Radiation is different from conventional radiation in that it does not have the side effects that conventional radiation has. I was not sick one single day during or after my treatments and have no side effects as a result of the treatments or the cancer. Its like I was never sick and am well . If you or your uncle would like to know more about Proton Radiation, there is a website called Proton Bob that tells all about prostate cancer and proton radiation. If you go to the website, be sure and read the Patient Testimonial section and you will see that other patients are as sold on it as I am.. and why not .. 90% cure rate and no side effects.. I dont know of any better deal to treat prostate cancer...
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