The Prostate, What YOU Don't Know Could Kill You
By Jeff Cuckson
"Prostate cancer is a major killer of men! How
is it then that in a poll 96% of men knew nothing at all about the
prostate gland. Prostate Cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer
in the USA and UK. Next to lung cancer it is the second leading cause
of cancer death in men in the USA."
Women know more about men's health than men do themselves
and that's a fact. Why is that? Is it because we find it hard to discuss
these things? Is it because it's not macho! From the time that we
are young, we are taught that boys have to act tough and shouldn't
cry. You must have heard the saying "Big Boys don't cry!"
Most of us carry this thought process into adulthood
and feel by showing concern for our health, it will be seen as a male
weakness. I am guilty of that myself.
I know when my prostate troubles began, I knew absolutely
nothing about the prostate. I was one of the 96%. Mainly because it
didn't cross my mind that I'd ever have any problems.
In addition, the prostate is in a "private"
area, and it wasn't something I wanted to examine. Many people, including
myself, feel uncomfortable talking about the prostate, since the gland
plays a role in both sex and urination.
I have had prostate troubles, survived a cancer scare
and watched my sister die from Cancer. Believe me, when I say that
when you think you are going to die, it concentrates your mind on
what is really important. Suddenly your priorities get focused.
Due to my prostate troubles, I became interested in
learning about the prostate and how it affected my health.
I cried the day they took a biopsy and I cried with
relief the day I was told it was benign. I cried many times as I watched
my sister die.
I got so frustrated having to get up every night 3-4
times due to my prostate troubles and then finding I couldn't get
back to sleep.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate Cancer develops by the growth of cancerous
cells within the prostate gland. Prostate cancer occurs when some
of the cells that make up the prostate gland escape from the normal
controls on their growth and start to divide, grow and spread in an
uncontrolled manner. In its advanced form, it can produce the same
symptoms as BPH. (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
Warning Signs
Early prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms.
When symptoms of prostate cancer do occur, they may include some of
the following problems:
A need to urinate frequently, especially at night;
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine;
- Inability to urinate;
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine;
- Painful or burning urination;
- Painful ejaculation;
- Blood in urine or semen; and/or
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
Any of these symptoms may be caused by cancer or by
other, less serious health problems, such as BPH or an infection (Prostatitis).
Only a doctor can tell the cause. A man who has symptoms like these
should see his family doctor . Do not wait to feel pain; early prostate
cancer does not cause pain.
These are two other main prostate problems
1) BPH - (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
is the abnormal growth of benign prostate cells. In an enlarged prostate
, the prostate grows larger and pushes against the urethra and bladder,
blocking the normal flow of urine. BPH is often the result of prostatitis.
2) Prostatitis refers to prostate
inflammation and infection, which can be brief or long-lasting, mild
or severe symptoms can include frequent, urgent and painful urination,
erectile problems or pain during ejaculation.
Prostatitis is rampant in the US, affecting at least
80% of American men. Most is without major symptoms. Prostate
enlargement, called Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) is often
the result of prostatitis.
Treatment for Prostate Cancer
The treatment given for prostate cancer depends on
how advanced or widespread the disease is. If the cancer is small
and only present within the prostate gland, it is possible to treat
it with
- surgery (radical prostatectomy)
- radiotherapy (either external beam radiotherapy
or brachytherapy)
- hormone therapy
I sincerely hope that this article can be of use to
you, your partner, someone in your family or indeed a close friend.
Health to me is both physical and mental. The two
cannot be separated. May I leave you with what I regard the finest
bits of advice for life
If I were asked to give what I consider the single
most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect
trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold your
head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, "I will be bigger
than you. You cannot defeat me." - Ann Landers
I wish you perfect health and piece of mind in
all that you do .
Jeff Cuckson
About the author: webmaster@backtobetterhealth.com
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