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An informative essay on prostate cancer
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Prostate Cancer
What is Prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer affects the tissue of the prostate, a gland of the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The cancerous cells growing in the prostate do not destroy this gland, but rather form masses of abnormal cells also known as a tumor. Typically, prostate cancer grow to a detectable size over a long period of time and an even longer time to metastasize. When prostate cancer metastasizes (spreads) it typically affects the lungs, liver, and brain. Prostate cancer is typically diagnosed in older males, and it is the second most frequent form of cancer (second to skin cancer) affecting males.
What different types of prostate cancer exist?
Acinar Adenocarcinoma begins in the gland cells of the prostate. Many of these cancers grow extremely slowly and are not likely to spread. More than 90% of prostate cancers are classified as Acinar Adenocarcinoma; these include, atrophic, foamy, colloid and signet ring carcinomas.
Ductal adenocarcinoma starts in the cells that line the ducts (tubes) of the prostate gland. This form of prostate cancer grows and spreads more quickly than acinar adenocarcinoma.
Transitional cell cancer starts in the cells that line the tube carrying urine – the urethra. The urethra passes through the prostate to carry urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. More commonly, this type of cancer may start in the bladder and spread to the prostate.
What are some symptoms of prostate cancer?
Not everyone will have or even show signs of prostate cancer. Many of the cases are first detected during a doctor’s check-up. However, some men will experience urinary or sexual dysfunctions that may indicate the presence of prostate c...
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...a lot of red meat and high-fat dairy are at a slightly higher risk for prostate cancer. Reducing consumption of these foods may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Taking medicines to treat a precancerous condition or to keep cancer from starting.
Famous people with prostate cancer:
Colin Powell, former Secretary of State
Rudy Giuliani, former New York Mayor
Nelson Mandela, former South African President http://www.everydayhealth.com/prostate-cancer-pictures/famous-men-who-battled-prostate-cancer.aspx#/slide-2 Prostate cancer survivor:
Created by: Mikayla D. Williams
Peer Reviewed by:
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Websites:
- http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5802023/k.B322/About_the_Prostate.htm
- http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate
- http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/guide/prostate-cancer-overview-facts
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common ailments that affect aging men. Statistics show that more than half of the entire male population aged 65 have some form of BPH, while about 90 percent of men aged 85 have the condition. Every year, in the United States alone, about a quarter of a million surgeries are performed to correct BPH. As they name implies, BPH is a non-malignant growth of the prostate, the gland that secretes semen, the fluid that transports sperm. Although not harmful, BPH can bring about symptoms that could largely affect the quality of life of its sufferers.
In contrast to the inward growth of a polyp, a true cancer can grow inward toward the hollow part of the colon or rectum, and/or outward through the wall of these organs. If not treated, cells from the tumor may break away and spread through the bloodstream or lymph system to other parts of the body. There, they can form "colony" tumors. This process is called metastasis.
Breast cancer has always been a common thread among the women of my family; especially on my mother’s side, including my Grandmother whom passed away due to this disease before I could ever meet her. More so, my mother was gravely affected by this disease early in my life. Thankfully, she was able to stop the cancer from spreading; the doctors were able to find the cancerous cells and remove them. Due to this grave, but powerful impact on my life, I have been determined to becoming a biomedical scientist to assist on the research and treatment of this deadly disease. Although this acts as my principal driver, to study in this field, I have also been intrigued and driven by the idea that I could aid lower setting regions to receive health benefits using studies in translational medicine and
Prostate cancer has been the number one diagnosed cancer today. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one in every ten American men will develop prostate cancer during his lifespan. This cancer has been very common in the last few years. American Cancer Society reported over 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer. Huge number of population suffered severely. The prostate is significant for reproduction. It helps the substances that are involved in fertilization and transporting of sperm as well as survival. Prostate tumor is developed in the prostate gland, which is found in the men’s reproductive system. Prostate is the size of a walnut, which is located inferiorly in the penis and anterior to the rectum. It contains the connective tissue, which includes the glandular and fibrous tissues. This tumor starts to develop during their adolescent year due to the control of the male reproductive hormones. When the tumor starts to develop, it begins at the urethra, which is a tube that releases the urine from the bladder. The tumor is a slow development yet it is contagious to the other parts of the body, such as it does affect the pelvic bones, lungs, liver, and the lower vertebrae (Zenka, 2009).
Radiation therapy is a complex treatment plan to treat cancer in patients. Its treatment can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is delivered by a team of individuals who specialize in the treatment of cancer. There are several ways in which the radiation can be delivered to the patient with specialized equipment. Radiation therapy is an exciting field of study that can be beneficial to patients who are affected by cancer.
Breast cancer is a type of cancer originates from breast tissue, generally from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas whereas from ducts are called ductal carcinomas. (Ref: Breast Cancer, National Cancer Institute) Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from the point of origin in the breast ducts/lobules to the surrounding normal tissue cells. In exceptional cases, breast cancer can start in at other sites in breast. Breast cancer occurs in both women and men, though male breast cancer is uncommon.
Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the male’s testicles first then spreads to other parts of the body. It most commonly spreads to the lymph nodes after it spreads throughout the testicles. Testicles are part of the male’s reproductive system that makes testosterone, the male hormone, and sperm. It is treatable and can usually be cured. The signs of testicular cancer are lumps, swelling, and pain in your testicles. You can check for these lumps yourself, but it is better and more important to check with your doctor for lumps annually. Testicular cancer isn’t caused by much, but there are some risks.
As a man gets older, his prostate may get bigger and block the urethra of bladder, which can cause him to have difficulty urinating or even interfere with sexual functions. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and although it is not cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it. The symptoms of BPH, or other problems in the prostate may be similar to symptoms of prostate cancer. Some common symptoms of prostate cancer are: weak or interrupted flow of urine, urinating often (especially at night), difficulty urinating, pain or burning from urinating, blood in the urine, and nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis. Often, there are no early symptoms of prostate cancer.
Of the few people that know what breast cancer is some of them just believe that it is a lump. They do not know that there is a process to breast cancer they do not know that the tumor comes from somewhere and does not magically appear. Breast cancer can happen a few different ways in the breast, but “the most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma” (cancer.gov). This type of breast cancer begins in the lining of the milk ducts. The ducts are the tubes that carry the milk from the lobules to the nipple. Think of them as little veins running from the nipple to a little pouch. Another place that the cancer could start is...
Erectile dysfunction is an exceedingly common condition, especially in elderly males. Individuals may have preserved sexual desire but cannot sexually perform to their partner’s satisfaction – this may lead to self-consciousness and reduced confidence. First-line medications are often helpful in alleviating symptoms but occasionally more invasive strategies are employed
Benign tumors look similar to the tissues that they came from and develop slowly. The tumor remains in the same area that the tumor originated in. Malignant tumors are formed from cells that do not resemble the tissue that they came from. They vary in shape and size. This enables pieces of the tumor to break off and spread to other places in the body.
For most, the primary fears associated with cancer are connected to the effects of treatments. If the patient is diagnosed when the cancer is still in the early stages, more than likely surgery is the appropriate treatment. However if the cancer has developed into an advanced stage, a more drastic treatment is necessary.
Today, prostate cancer is usually detected through screening, and there are two methods for early detection. The prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) is used, but there are many factors that can influence the outcome of the PSA test. Medications such as antihistamines, physical exertion or recent ejaculation can raise a PSA level (Gray, 2009). The test itself was intended for staging the presence of known prostate cancer and is less reliable when used alone (Oliver, 2007).
Alexander, D. D. (2010). A review and meta-analysis of prospective studies of red and processed meat intake and prostate cancer. Nutrition Journal, 50.
... into four different groups. The first group was given 400IU/day vitamin E alone, the second; 200ug/day selenium alone, the third; both and the fourth group; a placebo. The men were monitored over a median of six years. 529 men developed prostate cancer in the placebo group as compared to the 620 men in the vitamin E group who developed the disease. 575 men in the selenium group developed prostate cancer and 555 men in the combination group. The risk of prostate cancer in the United States is currently 16%. The results of the study showed that the risk of prostate cancer increased by 1.6% in men taking the vitamin E supplementation [6].