What is prostate cancer?
The prostate is a small gland in men that creates the seminal fluid that transports sperm. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells in your prostate grow and divide faster than do healthy cells, causing the abnormal cells to live and the healthy ones to die. These abnormal cells create tumors, which invade nearby tissue. When these cells break off, cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of prostate cancer include:
- Trouble urinating
- Blood in semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased urinary force
- Pelvic discomfort
You should see your doctor as soon as any of these symptoms start bothering you. Prostate cancer is much more treatable when it is detected early.
Who can contract prostate cancer?
While prostate cancer usually develops in older men, many risk factors can still cause younger patients to contract prostate cancer. For unknown reasons, black men have a high rate of acquiring prostate cancer, and their cancer is often highly aggressive.
Men who have a family history of prostate cancer or obesity are also more likely to contract prostate cancer. Dr. Rotman recommends that men start getting screened for prostate cancer once they reach their 50s.
What treatments are available for prostate cancer?
There are many treatment options for prostate cancer, including:
- Cryotherapy, which uses cold temperatures to freeze and kill prostate cancer cells
- Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy particles to target and kill cancer cells
- Hormone therapy, which reduces hormone levels that can help cancer cells grow
- High-intensity focal ultrasound (HIFU), which uses sound waves to damage cancer cells
Hormone therapy is typically accompanied by another type of treatment, as a reduction in hormones does not kill cancer cells, but only slows their growth.
If you believe you may be experiencing the symptoms of prostate cancer, it’s important to get checked as soon as possible. Early detection can make all the difference when treating prostate cancer.
Together, you and Dr. Rotman will weigh the pros and cons of each treatment method. Contact Dr. Rotman today to get screened.
