Prostate Cancer – Detail Information

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that is as common and dreading in the males just as breast cancer poses in females. It is characterised by pain and swelling in the urination as well as during sexual intercourse while it can also lead to bleeding in the urine.

Not only this, it can pose greater risks when it comes to spreading and invading other organs as it can spread to other bones and lymph nodes. Globally it is the 6th leading cause of death in males while it ranks the 2nd leading cause of male deaths in the US!

Types

Prostate cancer can be of different types depending upon the size and the location of the tumour in the reproductive organ. There are different stages in the cancer disease which may be recognised with the help of a biopsy – by extracting and evaluating the cells in the tumour. There are T categories, N Categories and M Categories. These are distinguished by different features. The “T” ones can be felt by the doctor or they can be imaged with the help of an ultrasound. The “N” ones can lead to the spread of the cancer to the nearby regions – lymph nodes. And last are the “M” ones which can lead to the cancer spreading to distant organs in the body such as the liver and the lungs as well as the bones in the body.

Symptoms

Nocturia (Frequent urination at night) as well as hematuria (Bleeding while urinating) are the signs of possessing this disease. Pain and swelling while urinating as well as weaker erections and painful ejaculations, frequent urination in general can be the embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. Leg weakness and faecal inconsistencies may also be experienced if the cancer starts spreading.

Causes

The older the man, the more frequent is the occurrence of such a disorder! Most men over the age of 50 years generally experience the symptoms of this disorder. Prostate cancer has been advocated of being caused due to the presence of the same in his brother or father. The risks double up.  BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are two of the genes which are seen to cause the prostate cancer in males and breast cancer in females. A diet that lacks Vitamin D and is very high on Red meat could raise the chances of this cancer in men. Afro and white Americans are at high risk of this disease.

Diagnosis / Tests

Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging are two of the prostate imaging diagnostic ways to look for the cancerous cells and tumours. Biopsy is the most efficient way of finding out the relevance of the cells in the tumour being carcinogenic or not. A radiologist or a urologist can easily discover the tissue from the tumour and can also help to find out the extent of the serious cancerous effects in it.

Treatments

Depending upon whether the cancer has just been discovered or has relapsed back, as well as the age and health considerations of the male affected by the cancer and also the stage of the cancer, the Gleason score, and the PSA level are the pre requisites to understand and start the effective treatment of this type of cancer. A combination of treatments may be required to alleviate and cure the disease. Not only this, radiation therapy works wonders when it comes to treating this type of cancer.

Prevention

In order to prevent the occurrence of such a type of disorder it may be required to follow a Mediterranean diet. This can help to reduce the risks of prostate cancer. Not only this, if you have been taking lots of green tea as well as soy and selenium, it could put you miles away from contracting the disease. Vitamin E and Vitamin D are very much required to keep away from cancers and binging on the fresh garden vegetables can help you avoid the disease too. Therefore, a low meat, high vegetable and fruit intake diet is a “yes yes” for keeping away the prostate from getting cancerous! Meditation and yoga could be preventive measures too.

Home Remedies

Home remedies in terms of consumption of high vegetable and fruit diet is a great plan to avoid the disease. Low meat intake needs to be considered while binging on pine nuts, almonds as well as dried oregano, chilli flakes and other herbs as well as olives could be very helpful. Vitamin D got from the morning sun may be as useful to avoid as well as to cure this type of cancer. Pomegranate proves to be very promising to get rid of the prostate cancer. Pumpkin and watermelon seeds can be helpful as they possess diuretic properties and plenty of zinc, which helps repair and build the immune system.

Warnings / Precautions

If you have been taking multivitamins as well as folic acid supplements on a large scale all through days in your life, you could be at increased risk of prostate cancer and thus you need to cut down on these not so essential foods and rather switch to natural vegetable and fruit intake. A diet high in red meat and low on Vitamin D could pose threat. Thus, go for the early sunshine morning walk to get the dose of Vitamin D! Make sure you are taking the necessary precautions as it is extremely important if someone in your family has already faced the disease.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

It is necessary to learn from your doctor, as to what the cause of your illness is and how it would be treated to take its toll off from you. The time of the treatment, medication / surgical methods as well as dietary supplements that you may require to help your treatment along with the precautions for non-relapse of the cancer are important interrogations!

Special Note

It is important to note that diet plays a very important role in the eruption of such a disease and thus a nutritious and balanced diet needs to be given a lot of attention to when it comes to keeping away from prostate cancer. This one could spread to near and distant organs and thus treatment should be taken appropriately.