| Prostate Cancer |
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland at the base of the bladder that encircles the urethra, the tube through which urine is voided. The prostate produces prostatic fluid, which makes up the bulk of the male ejaculate and nourishes and transports the sperm. Cancer of the prostate gland is the second leading cause of cancer death among men. it is primarily a disease of aging. Men in their thirties and forties rarely develop prostate cancer, but the incidence increases steadily after the age of fifty-five. Approximately 80 percent of all cases occur in men over the age of sixty-five, and by the age of eighty, 80 percent of all men have prostate cancer to some degree. The American Cancer Society estimates over 244,000 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in the year 1995. During that year, 40,400 men died from the disease. A male baby born today has a 13% chance of developing prostate cancer at some time in his life, and a 3% chance of dying from the disease. Some experts believe that every man will eventually develop prostate cancer if he lives long enough. Although it is relatively common, in most cases prostate cancer is, fortunately, a slow-growing cancer. Most prostate cancers arise in the rear portion of the prostate gland; the rest originate near the urethra. On average, prostate cancers double in mass every 6 years. Symptom include: one or more of the following: pain or a burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, a decrease in the size and force of urine flow, an inability to urinate, blood in the urine, and continuing lower back, pelvic, or suprapubic discomfort. However, the disease often causes no symptoms at all until it reaches an advanced stage and/or spreads outside the gland. In addition, these symptoms most often are caused not by cancer, but by benign enlargement or inflammation of the prostate. Professional evaluation and diagnosis is therefore necessary. The rate of prostate cancer in the United States is rising. In part, this is due to the aging of our population. Just a generation ago, the life expectancy for white men in the United States was 65 years; today, it is close to 80 years. However, the rate of prostate cancer is rapidly rising in all men, even those under age 50. This is significant because, in general, the younger a man is when he is diagnosed with prostate cancer, the worse his prognosis. The increase in prostate cancer among younger men points to the role of diet and exposure to environmental toxins in the development of the disease. African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer, while Asian-Americans have the lowest. Men with a family history of prostate cancer also run a higher risk of developing the disease. The incidence is higher among married men than it is among unmarried men. Also at increased risk are men who have had recurring prostate infections, those with a history of venereal disease, and those who have taken testosterone. Researchers have also found a link between a high-fat diet and prostate cancer. This may be due to the fact that heavy fat consumption raises testosterone levels, which could then stimulate growth of the prostate, including any cancer cells it may be harboring. Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals increases risk as well. Some experts believe that vasectomy may increase a man's chances of developing prostate cancer. Poor diet and nutrition most likely also play a role. |
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