A disease faced by more than 200,000 men annually, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer found in men (behind skin cancer). One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, but luckily, only one in thirty-five is likely to die from it. Early detection and treatment is the key to a good prognosis.
The current American Cancer Society guideline recommends that every male over the age of 50 (earlier for those with risk factors) be screened annually. Two types of screening are generally used, the digital rectal exam (physically checking the size and shape of the prostate) and the prostate-specific antigen exam (checking for a protein in the blood that is generally elevated in the presence of prostate cancer). The latter is considered less invasive and uncomfortable, but it also has the possibility of over-diagnosis; a high count doesn't necessarily mean a life-threatening cancer is present.
Once prostate cancer is diagnosed, there are several ways it can be dealt with, ranging from surgery to remove the prostate, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or hormonal therapy. The development of the cancer, as well as whether or not it is experiencing aggressive growth, will determine the method used. Like most other cancer treatments, the key is stopping the advance of the disease before it spreads to other organs.
Prevention is also one way to deal with prostate cancer. Studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and light in red meat and dairy products helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In addition, some research has shown that capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the heat in peppers, has a strong effect on the development and survival of cancerous cells. And finally, regular sexual activity has also been shown to reduce risk factors. An ounce of prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of cure.
The current American Cancer Society guideline recommends that every male over the age of 50 (earlier for those with risk factors) be screened annually. Two types of screening are generally used, the digital rectal exam (physically checking the size and shape of the prostate) and the prostate-specific antigen exam (checking for a protein in the blood that is generally elevated in the presence of prostate cancer). The latter is considered less invasive and uncomfortable, but it also has the possibility of over-diagnosis; a high count doesn't necessarily mean a life-threatening cancer is present.
Once prostate cancer is diagnosed, there are several ways it can be dealt with, ranging from surgery to remove the prostate, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or hormonal therapy. The development of the cancer, as well as whether or not it is experiencing aggressive growth, will determine the method used. Like most other cancer treatments, the key is stopping the advance of the disease before it spreads to other organs.
Prevention is also one way to deal with prostate cancer. Studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and light in red meat and dairy products helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In addition, some research has shown that capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the heat in peppers, has a strong effect on the development and survival of cancerous cells. And finally, regular sexual activity has also been shown to reduce risk factors. An ounce of prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of cure.
