Testing Options For Prostate Cancer
There is no one age for prostate cancer testing, but the American Cancer Society makes recommendations about prostate cancer screenings. According to the ACS, patients in any of these groups should consider asking their doctor about testing:
- Men age 50 or older who have an average risk of prostate cancer and a life expectancy of at least 10 more years
- Men age 45 or older with a high risk, including African-American men and those with a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before age 65
- Men age 40 or older who have a higher risk, such as more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age
Expert cancer care
What Are 5 Common Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
In many cases, prostate cancer does not produce clear symptoms in its initial stages of development. In fact, many men may have prostate cancer without even realizing it. However, there are some common warning signs that could indicate a person has prostate cancer. Five of the most common ones include:
Of course, these five symptoms are not the only potential warning signs of prostate cancer. Other possible indicators could include weak urine flow, and unexplained pain deep in the groin area when sitting down. If cancer has spread beyond the prostate, a man may also suffer lower body swelling, abnormal urinary or bowel habits, or inexplicable weight loss.
It’s important to note that most of these symptoms are not unique to prostate cancer, and may indicate a different condition that is not life-threatening.
What Is The Right Time To Seek Medical Assistance
Medical assistance is an essential factor that can save your life if you call your doctor at the right time. So, if you notice such signs or indications for a long time, its time to investigate properly.
a):- Frequent need to pass urine.
b):- trouble initiating or stopping the urine flow.
c): Week flow of urine.
d): Pain during urination.
e): Unexplained weight loss and fatigue.
h): Discomfort and pain in the lower back and pelvic area.
i): swelling of the leg.
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Prostate Cancer Symptoms Early Advanced And Recurrent Signs
As referenced before, the prostate malignancy will, for the most part, give practically zero indications explicitly during the beginning period. The manifestations may change for every person. It is imperative to understand that a significant number of symptoms can also be present because of other underlying diseases. You can schedule a screening test, which is often through a rectal examination to look for the prospects of an abnormality if there is any.
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How To Know Whether It Is Cancer
If you have any of the mentioned signs, you should see a doctor. They will take the steps to rule out cancer.
However, you can read here the different options :
RECTAL EXAMINATION
The doctor checks your prostate through your rectum, with a finger. The prostate is in contact with the rectum so this is the way to palpate it.
Doing so, the doctor can check if it is enlarged, if it has hard nodules
PSA
It is detected through a blood test. The more prostatic tissue you have, the higher value of PSA you have.
It is useful if you have a normal PSA value, because that virtually rules out cancer. If your PSA is okey, your prostate is probably ok.
However, if you have a high PSA then you have more prostatic tissue than normal. Maybe you have BPH .
Prostatitis also causes a high PSA, because of the irritated tissue.
So if PSA is normal then everything is good. If PSA is high you probably need some extra tests to find out what is wrong.
An increased PSA can be due to prostate cancer, but also to BPH and prostatitis.
PROSTATE MRI
You go inside the MRI machine and stay still for around 30 minutes.
Usually, it also requires intravenous contrast so you will need an IV line.
- This test will tell the doctor if there are any suspiciousnodules inside the prostate. Also, it will show the prostate cancer stage.
- It will also show if it is a large prostate, but with no malignant nodules .
If there are no nodules, everythings fine. If there are you may need a biopsy.
PROSTATE BIOPSY
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What Else You Can Do For Your Loved One
Besides providing relief throughout the cancer end-of-life stages, a family caregiver can provide both emotional and practical support at the end of life. This usually involves speaking to the patient about their financial plan, but should also include things like speaking to the patient about how they would like to spend their final days. Perhaps there is something they wish they could have done or seen. And perhaps there is some way you can help them make this dream a reality. You can also help them with planning a funeral, as well as speak to them about when they feel it is time to begin hospice care.
Does Prostate Cancer Have Any Symptoms
Most men with early prostate cancer dont have any signs or symptoms.
One reason for this is the way the cancer grows. Youll usually only get early symptoms if the cancer grows near the tube you urinate through and presses against it, changing the way you urinate . But because prostate cancer usually starts to grow in a different part of the prostate, early prostate cancer doesnt often press on the urethra and cause symptoms.
If you do notice changes in the way you urinate, this is more likely to be a sign of a very common non-cancerous problem called an enlarged prostate, or another health problem. But its still a good idea to get it checked out. Possible changes include:
- difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
- a weak flow when you urinate
- a feeling that your bladder hasnt emptied properly
- dribbling urine after you finish urinating
- needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
- a sudden need to urinate you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet.
If prostate cancer breaks out of the prostate or spreads to other parts of the body , it can cause other symptoms, including:
- back pain, hip pain or pelvis pain
- problems getting or keeping an erection
- unexplained weight loss.
These symptoms can all be caused by other health problems. But its still a good idea to tell your GP about any symptoms so they can find out whats causing them and make sure you get the right treatment, if you need it.
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Downsides Of Psa Screening
- Most prostate cancers are slow growing and never spread beyondthe prostate gland.
- Not all prostate cancers need treatment. Treatment for prostatecancer may have risks and side effects, including urinaryincontinence, erectile dysfunction, or bowel dysfunction.
- PSA tests arent foolproof. Most men flagged for prostate biopsyfrom an elevated PSA will likely test negative for cancer.
- A diagnosis of prostate cancer can provoke anxiety and confusion.Concern that the cancer may not be life-threatening can makedecision-making complicated.
- PSA testing has lowered deaths, but the number may not besubstantial enough to justify the cost and possibility of harmto the person undergoing the testing.
The results of these trials in addition to some of the downsides of the screening test led the US Preventive Services Task Force a governmental agency that advises physicians on a wide range of health-related topics, including cancer screening to recommend against annual PSA screening. As a result of this decision, early detection rates and prostate cancer screenings are declining. At the same time, the number of men with incurable disease is on the rise.
Our genetic test encourages men to be actively involved in the development of their personalized prostate cancer screening approach at an early stage. With a simple cheek swab, Prompt PGS compares your specific genetic profile to tens of thousands of others and can help you and your healthcare practitioner determine what is best for you.
Overview Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the various types of cancer. It only affects men. Cancer starts growing in the prostate gland in the reproductive system of males. It is one of the diseases, which progress very slowly. There are various types of treatment for prostate cancer, but many men dont even bother treating their prostate cancer. Yes, the treatment helps to reduce the growth of prostate cancer to some extent, but because of its slow progression, most of the men choose to monitor the cancer progression at first instead of immediately opting for treatment.
Prostate cancer is a very common form of cancer. Prostate cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death after skin cancer. The statistics show that 1 out of 7 men is likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their entire life span. Furthermore, 1 out of 39 men will die because of prostate cancer.
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Changes You Shouldnt Ignore
Early-stage prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms but as the disease progresses, you may experience certain warning signs. Knowing the signs of prostate cancer will help you keep an eye out for any concerning changes to your health.
Keep in mind, though, these symptoms dont indicate trouble with your prostate, Dr. Weight says. In fact, almost all of them come standard with aging. But if you experience several symptoms or have other concerns, it may be a good idea to visit a urologist.
Prostate Cancer Warning Symptoms And 12 Early Signs Revealed
Early-stage prostate cancer usually has very few or no warning signs at all. Early detection of prostate cancer is one of the strongest weapons against the disease. Cancer could only raise concern if the tumor happens to press on the urethra and cause changes to your urine flow. Early signs of prostate cancer may not be visible and their undetectable nature can lead to cancer progression.
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Who Is At Risk For Prostate Cancer
All men are at risk for prostate cancer, but African-American men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men.
All men are at risk for prostate cancer. Out of every 100 American men, about 13 will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, and about 2 to 3 men will die from prostate cancer.
The most common risk factor is age. The older a man is, the greater the chance of getting prostate cancer.
Some men are at increased risk for prostate cancer. You are at increased risk for getting or dying from prostate cancer if you are African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer.
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Early Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Typically, the earliest physical signs of prostate cancer are symptoms related to tumor growth within the prostate. Since the urethra travels through the prostate gland, early signs of a prostate cancer tumor may be related to urinary difficulties. Some of these earlier symptoms may include:
- Painful urination or a burning feeling while urinating or ejaculating
- An increased need to urinate
- Weak urine stream or interrupted urine stream
- Difficulty in starting or stopping urinating
- Leaking of urine or loss of bladder control
Many of these symptoms can be caused by a variety of different issues, including benign prostatic hyperplasia which is the non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland as a man ages. These symptoms can also be caused by urinary tract infections, prostate gland infections, or trauma to the urinary or reproductive tract, all of which are treatable. It is important to talk to your provider if you notice these signs or symptoms, so they can help determine the cause.2,3
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Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Prostate cancer is one type of cancer that has an overall positive prognosis. The American Cancer Society reports very high survival rates 99 percent of patients are still alive 5 years after diagnosis, and the 10- and 15-year survival rates are 98 and 96 percent respectively.
Despite these wonderful survival rates, prostate cancer can be deadly, especially in older men. And no matter your prognosis, you still need a treatment plan and regimen that will eliminate your cancer and keep you as healthy as can be.
The following are the most common types of treatment used to fight prostate cancer:
The Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can be silent. It usually is, at least while it is small. It doesnt cause any symptoms at that moment.
Thats because it usually grows in the periphery of the prostate, far from the urethra.
After it grows a little, you can start to get some symptoms. These are the most common:
As you can see, all these signs and symptoms are related to urination and
For example, as the prostate surrounds the urethra, prostate cancer may make it harder to pee.
The tumor will narrow the duct and the urine flow will diminish. Thats when we find difficulties to urinate. Either through trouble starting or being unable to stop.
Also, the effort of the bladder against the obstacle can cause a burning sensation or pain
And so on many of these signs are due to this obstacle mechanism.
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Tips For Managing Cancer End
Even if not medically-trained, a family caregiver can provide comfort and care to their loved one as they begin to exhibit the signs of dying from cancer. For example, family caregivers can help cancer patients who are confused or delirious by answering their questions, listening to their concerns, and just by being present. If the patient shows no interest in doing anything, just sit with him or her. If the patient gets confused or angry, fight the natural instinct to become upset. The best thing you can do for your loved one is make this time easier in any way possible.
We also recommend speaking to the healthcare professionals, such as the patients primary care physician, regarding other ways in which loved ones can help. Palliative care, for example, is designed to treat the symptoms and side-effects of cancer, which can help with many of these issues. There is no reason that your loved one should suffer more than he or she has to, even before it may become time to consider hospice care. Palliative care can be administered separate from hospice care.
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What Should I Do If I Have Prostate Cancer Symptoms
If you are displaying one or more signs of prostate cancer, be sure to promptly consult with a physician. Even benign prostate conditions like prostate enlargement warrant timely medical attention, so dont delay seeking treatment. And, like most other malignancies, prostate cancer is usually more easily treated when it is detected at an early stage.
Medically reviewed by Monica Chatwal, MD.
At Moffitt Cancer Center, we provide a full range of diagnostic testing for prostate cancer. If you have received a prostate cancer diagnosis, we understand that every day counts, and we want to support you every step of the way. Our Urologic Oncology Program includes a multispecialty team that focuses exclusively on evaluating and treating prostate cancer.
Contact Moffitt at or complete a new patient registration form online to speak with one of our specialized oncologists about your symptoms. As Floridas top cancer hospital, were committed to providing all new patients rapid access to a cancer expert within a day of their reaching out.
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Early Prostate Cancer Screening
The most effective ways to catch prostate cancer early on, are to visit your doctor regularly for prostate cancer screening tests such as the prostate-specific antigen test, the digital rectal exam , or a prostate biopsy. If your doctor suspects that you may have prostate cancer, they can also utilize imaging technologies such as MRI scans, CT scans, or ultrasound images to get a better look at whats going on.
The recommended screening schedule for prostate cancer can vary based on age and other risk factors, such as a family history of prostate cancer, or race. Determining the best screening schedule for your situation is a decision you can make with your doctor, typically beginning at 50 years old, or earlier if high risk. Not everyone is screened annually, or even bi-annually . Because of this, and because early prostate cancer is often asymptomatic, it can take years to diagnose the cancer, and may even be found as a result of treating or investigating another condition.1
Do You Know The Five Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Posted on by Cleveland Urologyin News
Do you know that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men next to skin cancer? Do you know that the prostate is a vital part of a mans reproductive system? Do you know men can have both benign and cancerous growths in the prostate gland? Most importantly, do you know the five warning signs of prostate cancer? Every man should know when to take action.
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