O prostate cancer is a neoplasm that affects the prostate, a gland of male reproductive system. This kind of cancer it's the second most common among men, second only to the skin cancer not melanoma. According to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), a man dies every 38 minutes from this disease.
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After all, what is the prostate?
THE prostate it is responsible for the production of a secretion that makes up the semen. This gland, which is about the average size of a plum, is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It involves part of the urethra, the canal through which the urine and the semen passes to be eliminated out of the body. This is why an enlargement of this gland can compress the urethra and, for example, reduce the flow of urine, which is a symptom of problems with the prostate.
The secretion produced by the prostate contains nutrients important for sperm and also anticoagulant enzymes. Therefore, the prostate plays an important role in human reproduction, being essential to ensure the viability of the
sperm.Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
Some risk factors are related to an increased chance of a person developing prostate cancer. No doubt, the main one is age. According to the Ministry of Health, for every 10 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in our country, 9 of them are over 55 years old. In addition to age, the family history of cancer is also considered a risk factor, as well as the overweight and the obesity. Studies also indicate that black men are more likely to develop this type of cancer.
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Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is most often a disease of the prostate.and slow evolution. For this reason, many men do not suspect that they have the disease and only discover it at an advanced stage. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms, especially in its early stages. When symptoms appear, the most common are:
Difficulty urinating;
Weak urine stream;
Increased urge to urinate;
Blood in urine.
When these symptoms appear, a doctor should be consulted to assess the condition, which does not always mean that it is cancer. THE benign prostatic hyperplasia, for example, it can cause these symptoms. It is a benign enlargement of the gland that usually affects men over the age of 50 years. Also, iprostate inflammations can also generate these symptoms.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Some tests can help in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, such as PSA blood test and digital rectal exam. If these tests indicate changes in the gland, a biopsy.
The PSA blood test measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA). In cancer patients, there is an increase in these levels, which in most men usually remain below 4 ng/ml. The digital rectal exam assesses the texture and shape of the prostate. In this test, the doctor inserts a finger into the rectum to feel the gland. This technique is extremely useful, but many treat this test with prejudice, despite its importance.
It is important to note that there is a discussion about the need for screening this type of cancer in men who do not have symptoms. The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) state that there is no need to perform tests on men without signs or symptoms. Other professionals, however, recommend the exam for men over 50 years of age. For those who have cases of this type of cancer in the family, checkups should be regularly done after 45 years of age.
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Prostate Cancer Treatment
O prostate cancer treatment, as well as the treatment of several other types of cancer, depends on each patient, as the stage of cancer is analyzed, as well as the patient's health. Surgery to remove the tumor is common. This procedure may be accompanied by radiotherapy and also hormonal treatment.
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Prostate Cancer Prevention
Some risk factors for the development of prostate cancer can be avoided with the adoption of healthier practices in daily life.
take good care of food, always remembering to consume vegetables and reduce fat consumption;
Perform physical activities daily;
Take care of the body in order to avoid being overweight and obese;
Do not smoke;
avoid idrinking alcoholic beverages.
By Ma. Vanessa Sadinha dos Santos
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "Prostate cancer"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/cancer-prostata.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
