Prostatic Cancer
What Are The Warning Signs Of Prostatic Cancer?
- Inability to urinate
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Difficulty starting or stopping urine flow
- Need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Continuing pain in lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs
- Bone pain (the most frequent complaint of patients with metastatic disease, i.e., cancer that spreads to other parts of the body)
- May have no symptoms
What Are The Risk Factors Involved in Prostatic Cancer?
- Incidence increases with age
- Dietary fat (typical western hemispheric diet > 20% fat)
- Workers exposed to heavy metal oxides and cadmium in tire and rubber manufacturing, farmers, and sheet metal workers
- Lack of vitamins A and C
- Lack of exercise
Can Prostate Cancer Be Detected Early?
YES! The key to saving lives is early detection.
A digital rectal examination is the first procedure utilized in detecting prostate cancer. Every man over 40 should have a rectal examination as part of his regular annual physical checkup. If a nodule is detected, or if high suspicion remains, then a prostatic ultrasound should be performed. This test may reveal cancers too small to be detected by physical examination. During the prostatic ultrasound, a needle biopsy is performed to determine if cancer is present.
IN THE KNOW
A new blood test called a PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen) may detect a cancer that is forming in a male with a non-palpable nodule. The American Cancer Society recommends that all males have a PSA level annually, beginning at the age of 50.