How Treatable is Prostate Cancer?
Of all the forms of cancer men may face in their lifetime, prostate cancer remains one of the most highly treatable of all the cancers. Men do die from prostate cancer, so prostate health is not a subject to avoid. Taking a prostate health supplement, along with a good prostate diet, exercise and yearly prostate exams are the best ways to promote optimum prostate health and avoid problems as men get older.
One of the reasons that prostate cancer remains highly treatable is that prostate cancers tend to be slow growing, and doctors have a better understanding of using the Gleason Scale for prostate cancer to determine how advanced the prostate cancer is. When detected, the cancer cells can usually be removed totally, as long as it has not spread to other organs.
Another reason for the low mortality rate is that men between the ages of fifty to sixty five, the group most likely to be affected by prostate cancer, also tend to have higher rates of issues with enlarged prostate or BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia), which impacts the easy flow of urine. 1 in 18 men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, but only 1 in 34 will actually die from the disease, indicating the success rate in early detection and eradication. Men aged 50 and older are recommended to have a yearly Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, which can detect the elevated PSA levels in the blood. This test is the first indicator of possible prostate cancer. At this point men can no longer avoid the doctor and the dreaded digital rectal exam (DRE). The prostate cancer screening test can only indicate elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen, but can’t detect the presence of cancer or a benign enlarged prostate. The digital rectal exam, while a bit embarrassing, can be a life-saver. The doctor can feel abnormalities in the prostate gland no blood test can detect.
Men who have a history of prostate cancer or other forms of cancer, and African American men should begin prostate screenings at age 40 to 45, as these groups are affected by prostate health issues twice as likely as men who do not not have a family history of cancer.
Since an enlarged prostate affects the easy flow of urine, men are more likely to address prostate health issues when it also effects daily life issues such as urination, which is one more reason prostate cancer is caught early.
The key to optimum health is to know your body. Have a PSA test and digital rectal exam yearly after age 50, and whenever you notice a change, don’t be afraid, but rather address the change with your doctor quickly. What you fear is what may kill you.
To Your Health!
Ken
