Onboard Bow Fitness: Fronting Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer arises from a malignant cell in the prostate gland and is the most common cancer in males. It often progresses slowly, and symptoms might not show up until the prostate is big enough to interfere with the urethra.
 

What is the prostate gland?

The prostate gland looks like a chestnut, is located just below the urinary bladder and is run through by the urethra.

Risk factors

• Age: Risk increases with age. Most cases are diagnosed in people over 50.
• Race and ethnicity: Higher risk in people of Black or African ancestry.
• Family history: Risk is 2 to 3 times higher if a close family member is affected.

Other potential risk factors

• Smoking
• BMI greater than 30 (having obesity)
• Sexually transmitted infections

Symptoms

No symptoms until it spreads, but as prostate cancer progresses, you may start to notice changes;

• Frequent or sometimes urgent urination , especially at night
• Weak urine flow
• Pain or burning sensation when you pee
• Loss of bladder control
• Painful ejaculation and erectile dysfunction
• Blood in semen or pee
• Pain on lower back, hip or chest

Diagnosis

On-time diagnosis, if there is suspicion, only ultrasound-guided biopsy can set the diagnosis.

• Digital rectal exam – it feels the prostate glands for bumps or hard areas may mean cancer
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test – a blood test shown high PSA level may indicate cancer
• MRI or Ultrasound – shows images of your prostate gland, including suspicious areas that may be cancer

Annual Check-Up – It reduces the likelihood of death, considering that prostate cancer is quite manageable when detected early and before cancer cells have the chance to spread to other areas of the body.

Therapies for early stage

1. Open radical prostatectomy – removal of prostate gland
2. Radiation Therapy – can be standalone treatment for prostate cancer
   a. Brachytherapy – placing radioactive seeds inside the prostate, and it kills cancer cells
   b. External beam radiation therapy – delivers strong x-rays at the tumor
3. Therapies for Advanced Stage:
   Hormone therapy and Chemotherapy

A man can be diagnosed with cancer that he will not die from, yet the treatments for his condition may greatly diminish his quality of life.