Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, and 1 in 8 men will get diagnosed in their lifetime.
The prostate is a walnut shaped gland that helps to make semen, found in the base of the bladder.
Have you been diagnosed with prostate
or any other kind of cancer?
Causes
Symptoms
Prostate cancer typically develops at a slower pace, therefore symptoms only often start to show once the prostate is more enlarged, and begins to affect the urethra.
When this happens, you may experience:
+ An increase in the urge to urinate
+ Straining while urinating
+ Experiencing the feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied
It is important to note that, while these symptoms should be checked, they could also be caused by other non-cancerous issues, like an enlarged prostate.
There is not much research that draws conclusions to the causes of prostate cancer, but researchers have found certain factors that increase your risk.
For example, the chance of getting prostate cancer...
+ Increases with age -- most cases are found in men aged 50 and above
+ Is more common in black men, and less common in Asian men
+ Increases if a father or brother of an individual male has been affected by prostate cancer
+ Increases in those with obesity
+ Increases in those who have been exposed to higher levels of pesticides
+ Increases the taller the individual is
Treatments
The best treatment for prostate cancer depends on your age and overall health. If the cancer is still in the early stages, it can usually be treated by the following:
+ Surgically removing the prostate
+ Radiotherapy
Your specialist care team will explain and discuss every step of the process. Please remember that you are not alone and there is always help available.
Apart from your team of specialists there are also many charities and support groups dedicated to helping you navigate through your cancer journey. We as Sam's Diamonds provide social media as well as in person support, information, meet-ups and much more! Click here to become a Diamond.
Cited Sources
“About prostate cancer.” Prostate Cancer UK, https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/risk-and-symptoms/about-prostate-cancer.
“Risk and causes of prostate cancer.” Cancer Research UK, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/risks-causes.