A Focus on Prostate Cancer

One major concern today is prostrate cancer. The prostate gland is a small, walnut-sized gland that surrounds the bottom portion of a man's bladder and urethra, the tube that drains the urine from the bladder. The primary purpose of the prostate gland is to produce seminal fluid, which transports and nourishes the sperm.

Cancer can be simply defined as a group of abnormal cells that reproduce considerably faster than normal cells and also destroy healthy tissue as well. Most forms of prostate cancer generally grow at a slow rate initially and usually remain located in the prostate gland. But if left untreated, prostate cancer will begin to destroy healthy tissue and possibly spread to other areas of the body, and then it may be too late for successful treatment. Some forms of prostate cancer are much more aggressive than others and can quickly spread through the body via your bloodstream or lymph system.

Scientists have conducted numerous research studies on prostate cancer, its causes and why there are types that behave differently. But the answer still remains partly a mystery. Scientific research has suggested that there may be a combination of factors that play a role in whether or not a man develops prostate cancer. Some of these factors include ethnicity, heredity, diet, excessive hormone production as well as the environment.

As a man ages beyond 50, his risk of prostate cancer increases significantly, and for reasons that are still unknown, African-American men have a higher risk of developing and ultimately dying from this form of cancer. Heredity also plays an important role, if a man's father, uncle or brother has prostate cancer; his chances of also getting the disease are higher than that of the average man.

A high-fat diet and or obesity also increase the risks of developing prostate cancer. It is theorized that excess fat increases production of the hormone testosterone, which is linked to promoting growth of prostate cancer cells. And while prostate cancer isn't preventable, there are measures to take to decrease your chances of developing the disease or possibly slow down its progression. Regular exercise has been shown to minimize symptoms and help reduce instances of prostate gland enlargement. A low-fat diet, high in fibers such as vegetables and fruits are also ways of warding off the disease.

Drug therapy is another way of combating prostate cancer and its effects. Recent studies have shown that the drug finasteride, also known as Proscar or Propecia, may actually delay or prevent the onset of prostate cancer in men who are aged 55 or older. Adversely, finasteride, which is currently used to treat baldness, has been linked to an increase in sexual side effects and also may slightly raise the chances of getting a higher grade of prostate cancer. For that reason, finasteride isn't normally recommended as a means of preventing the disease.

NSAIDS, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, have recently been found to possibly aid in preventing men from getting prostate cancer. NSAIDS, which include ibuprofen such as Advil or Motrin, and naproxen or Aleve, inhibit the growth of the enzyme COX-2 that is found in the cancerous cells.

There are several treatment methods for prostate cancer today. Some men may require a combination of those treatments such as surgery or hormone therapy. Radiation therapy is also used either in the form of external beams of X-rays or even by surgically implanted "seeds" known as brachytherapy which emits higher doses of radiation directly to the cancer.

Hormone therapy is also used in the treatment of prostate cancer to reduce testosterone production, and in some cases a radical prostatectomy, removal of the entire prostate gland and the surrounding lymph nodes, is necessary for successful treatment.