As a father, getting sick is one of the last things you want to think about. Our kids need us and we feel we have a duty to help them but sometimes illness can strike. Prostate cancer is one of the biggest killers in men. Knowing what it is and how it is treated can help you get on top of things sooner.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer usually progresses slowly and initially confined to the prostate gland. Some forms of prostate cancer can be very aggressive and can spread rapidly. If detected in time it has very good prospects of effective treatment. Usually, prostate cancer has no early symptoms. At a more advanced stage, symptoms such as difficulty urinating, bone pain, erectile dysfunction, blood in the semen, and decreased flow of urine may occur. Risk factors for developing prostate cancer are age, race (higher risk for Black men), family history, and obesity. Side effects that can occur due to prostate cancer are metastases (bladder, bones), urinary incontinence, or erectile dysfunction.

Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is made by a competent doctor who is the urologist – andrologist. Clinical examination and imaging examination with a digital rectal examination and PSA examination through hematological examination are required. If necessary, an additional examination is performed with ultrasound, collection of prostate tissue samples – biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging.

Prostate Biopsy

A prostate biopsy is recommended to be performed either on the basis of PSA test findings or if a hard examination is detected by the doctor during the clinical examination. The biopsy is performed using ultrasound through an imaging instrument that is inserted into the anus and shows in detail the prostate. The urologist selects how many pieces of tissue to take and uses a special machine to remove a small amount of tissue from different parts of the prostate.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and does not require any special preparation.

“One in six African American men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime.”

– ZeroCancer.org

Treatment Options For Prostate Cancer

At a very early stage and when the cancer is very limited, treatment may only need strict and regular monitoring. If it is more advanced, then finding an incredible prostate cancer treatment center is vital. Here may be some options for treatment:

1. Surgery:  Total prostatectomy – involves removal of the prostate gland and surrounding tissue and lymph nodes.
2. Radiation therapy:  External radiation, brachytherapy.
3. Hormone therapy:  Medication that stops the production of testosterone in the body or stops the flow of testosterone to cancer cells and helps them to reproduce.
4. Orchiectomy:  Reduces testosterone levels in the body
5. Cryosurgery or cryotherapy:  Using cold air to cool surrounding tissues
6. Chemotherapy:  Destroys cancer cells – enters the body through a vein or pills
7. Biological therapy – immunotherapy:  Uses the individual’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Tips For Preventing Prostate Cancer

To help prevent the disease, choose a Mediterranean diet based on fruits and vegetables, exercise on a regular basis, maintain a stable and healthy body weight, and talk to your doctor about whether you belong to a high-risk group and what exactly you should watch out for. Being a dad is the most important thing; don’t let cancer take your fatherhood from you.