Prostate cancer is the one of the most common cancer in men. Male prostate gland itself is shaped like a bean that produces semen, the fluid is a place to live and feed ingredients for the sperm.
Cancer is not only life-threatening, but also the healing process has serious side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and bladder control difficulties.
Although slow-growing and early stage does not cause significant disruption to the functions of the prostate. Treatment at this early stage too, is still relatively minimal, does not even require any treatment.
If detected early, then the likelihood of successful treatment would be high. Moreover, the method of treatment or treatment of prostate cancer is now fairly well developed.
SYMPTOMS
In the early phase, these cancers do not show obvious symptoms and is difficult to detect, to spread throughout the prostate. Early detection of cancer, can be done by checking PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) or with a digital rectal exam (Dre).
Initial symptoms are usually felt, one of which is difficulty urinating. According to research, less than five percent of cases of prostate cancer have a urination problem as early symptoms. Other symptoms that can occur, for example, there is blood in the urine and semen mixed with blood.
While prostate cancer that spread to the lymph nodes (lymph nodes) in the hip bones, can cause leg swelling and discomfort in the hips.
At the stage of prostate cancer in an advanced stage, usually already spread to the bone and caused a persistent bone pain, fractures to the emphasis on the spine.
CAUSE
The cause of prostate cancer is still mysterious and still uncertain. The study estimated that this cancer occurs due to a combination of several factors, such as derivatives, ethnicity, hormones, food and environment.
RISK FACTORS
To prevent or avoid the occurrence of prostate cancer, in addition to early detection, also includes several factors, including:
1. Age.
The man who aged 50 years and over, most likely this will have cancer.
2. Race or ethnicity.
Could not be ascertained the truth, but some say that black men at greater risk of prostate cancer.
3. Family history.
If your father or brother with prostate cancer, then your risk of suffering the same disease will be greater than the average person.
4. Food.
Fat diets and obesity can heighten the risk. In theory, fats increase the production of testosterone which can lead to the development of prostate cancer cells.
5. Hormone testosterone.
Testosterone is naturally stimulated the growth of the prostate gland. Men who use testosterone therapy, usually more likely to have prostate cancer. Many doctors regard, testosterone therapy will accelerate the development of prostate cancer which had originally grown. Long-term testosterone therapy will cause the enlargement of the prostate gland.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Although not all related to prostate cancer, but if you are aged 50 years and having trouble urinating, begin to consult with your doctor. Checks that can include:
Digital rectal exam (Dre).
This check is done by inserting a finger in the rectum to feel physically bump in the prostate.
PSA test.
PSA tests are blood tests to measure levels of PSA (prostate-specific agents) that can indicate whether there is prostate cancer. PSA levels in the blood can indicate other reasons, such as prostate enlargement, infection or inflammation.
Transrectal ultrasound.
If the above test is considered suspicious, the doctor will use ultrasound to evaluate prostate trasrectal. A small device the size of a cigarette would be inserted into the anus for later obtained a picture of the prostate gland through which sound waves are generated.
Biopsy.
If the initial test showed symptoms of prostate cancer, your doctor will make sure to do a biopsy test. The doctor will take samples of tissue from the prostate gland and will be checked whether there is abnormality in the laboratory and how aggressive prostate cancer.
To determine the extent to which prostate cancer grows, doctors will perform the following tests:
Bone scan.
These scans take pictures of bone, to determine whether prostate cancer has spread to the bone. Prostate cancer can spread not only in the bone, but also throughout the body, such as hip bones and spine.
Ultrasound.
Ultrasound can help reveal whether the spread has reached other than prostate tissue.
CT scan.
CT scan will produce images that can be enlarged, to see if the lymph nodes or other organs have not developed normally. To find the problem kankerm usually combined with other tests.
MRI.
This test produces more detailed images of the body because it uses magnets and radio waves. MRI can detect possible development of cancer to lymph nodes and bones.
Lymph node biopsy.
If enlarged lymph node detected by CT scan or MRI, the lymph node biopsy is needed to determine the extent to which these cancers can be cured, usually by microscopic examination in the laboratory.
PROSTATE CANCER is grouped into three STADIUM
Stage I.
The early development of cancers that are usually obtained through microscopic examination that can not be made a doctor.
Stage II.
Cancer can be felt, but still limited in the prostate gland alone.
Stage III.
Cancer has spread to the entire prostate and / or spread to the closest network.
Stage IV.
Cancer has grown and spread to the lymph nodes, bone, lungs or other organs.
COMPLICATIONS
Complications can occur because the disease itself or because the therapy treatment performed. The most feared, the therapy will affect the treatment of male sexual function, such as the incidence of erectile dysfunction, although still to be overcome.
Common Complications:
1. The spread of cancer.
The spread of prostate cancer occurs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, affecting the bones and other organs. Therapy for prostate cancer that had spread, made with hormone therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
2. Pain.
Pain in the bones can occur in patients with prostate cancer.
3. Difficulty in urination.
4. Erectile dysfunction or impotence.
This can occur because of prostate cancer itself or because of the healing therapies that do, such as surgery, radiation and hormone therapy.
5. Depression.
Many men experience depression after diagnosed with prostate cancer or after therapy, therapeutic effects. But counseling and antidepressant medications can be overcome.
THERAPY, HEALING & TREATMENT
Treating prostate cancer can be done in various ways, often used a combination of several methods, such as surgery followed by radiation or radiation combined with hormone therapy.
In each person, and combinations of treatment will vary, depending on many factors, such as how fast the cancer develops, how broad, age and level of hope of a cure.
By umm several ways, among others:
A) External beam radiation therapy (EBRT).
Using X-ray radiation to kill cancer cells. Effectively kill cancer cells but can injure and kill healthy tissue as well.
Side effects: trouble urinating, bleeding / blood pressure decreases and sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction.
B) Implant of radioactive grains.
Pellets containing radioactive isotopes or brachytherapy size of rice grains as much as 40-100 points, implanted in the prostate. Usually used in men with prostate size small to medium, with a stadium that has not been high.
The man who planted this radioactive, it is advisable to stay away from pregnant women or children, especially in the beginning process of the implant. Before planting, the patient would be given hormone therapy to reduce prostate size.
Side effects: similar to EBRT.
C) hormone therapy.
This therapy is done to stop the production of the hormone testosterone, prostate cancer triggers.
Side effects: male breast enlargement (gynecomstia), decreased sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, weight gain and osteoporosis. Sometimes arise diarrhea, fatigue and liver damage.
D) prostate operation.
Appointment of the prostate gland with surgery.
Side effects: difficulty controlling urination and erectile dysfunction.
E) Chemotherapy.
This method is very effective, but has more side effects than hormone therapy.
F) Krioterapi.
Tissue coagulation therapy, usually by inserting a device. Prostate cancer cells will be frozen until death.
Side effects: tissue damage and damage to the muscles that control urination activity.
G) Supervision.
If found early, the therapy did not seseram necessary. Regular check-ups like Dre and biopsy can be performed to monitor the progress of these cancers.
H) Gene Therapy and immunization.
In future, this therapy is expected to grow further. The existing technology is still limited to the experimental stage and only available in some developed countries.
PREVENTION
Basically, prostate cancer can not be prevented, but risk can be reduced and slowed, with:
- Foods that are healthy.
Suspected high-fat foods is closely linked to prostate cancer. Expand eat vegetables, fruit and fiber to reduce risk. Fruit is good at eating like tomatoes, melons and grapes. Garlic and vegetables such as bok choy, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Vitamin E is also expected to reduce the special risks for smokers.
- Exercise regularly.
In addition to strengthening the work of the heart, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol, regular exercise also strengthens the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer in general.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NAIDs).
Estimated NAIDs can prevent prostate cancer. This drug ibuprofen and naprofen teramasuk. Ask your doctor first about this medicine specialist.
- Finasterida.
Research on prostate cancer showed finasterida drug can prevent prostate cancer in men aged 55 years and over. But it is not recommended to be consumed regularly.
DEALING WITH PROSTATE CANCER
Because there is no prevention, the preparations necessary to receive the presence of prostate cancer both physically and psychologically. How:
a. Prepare yourself.
Consult your doctor and dig deeper information about this disease.
b. Normal life and do the routine as usual.
Do not let the cancer and side effects of medication interfere with your day routines.
c. Sports.
Exercise can help you through the days and reduce tension.
d. Socialize.
Cancer is a disease that is very heavy to carry alone. Socializing, talking and sharing experiences on others will make you feel lighter.
e. Fixed do sexual activity.
Although affected your sex life, but do not feel inferior. With hugs, attention and affection the family, wife, children and loved ones, can make you more confident.
f. Think positive.
Cancer is not the end of everything, you can still recover. Confront the disease, will only make you too emotional. Think positive and return everything to the Creator, so life feels lighter.
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