Prostate Health - Treating Prostate Cancer

The Prostate is a prominent component of the male reproductive system

. As you become older, changes occurring within your prostate can subsequently lead to the development of serious health problems.

It is therefore crucial that you are aware of what treatment options are available to you.

* Treatments options for Prostate Cancer

The primary issue in relation to treatment for prostate cancer is to determine whether the cancer is actually contained within the prostate, or whether it has in fact spread to other parts of the body.

Prostate cancer can include one of the following:

-Localised - - here it affects only the prostate

-Locally advanced - here it will have spread beyond the prostate to some of the surrounding areas, but not to other organs.

-Advanced - here it has spread to nearby organs e.g the bladder. Often, it will have spread to distant sites such as the bones or the lymph system.

In terms of treatment localised prostate cancer involves the following:

-Watchful waiting' - the cancer state is closely monitored and treatments utilised as and when they become necessary.

It is important to note that prostate cancer can in fact be extremely slow growing.

-Surgery - Here, the prostate is removed

-External beam radiotherapy- radiation is actively directed at the prostate to attempt to kill the cancerous cells.

-Bracytherapy - This is basically another form of radiotherapy, where radioactive 'seeds' are implanted directly into the prostate with the aim of delivering a concentrated dose of radiation to kill the cancerous cells.

In addition, locally or advanced prostate cancer can also be treated by the use of hormone therapy. This can be effected either be on its own or in conjunction with another treatment.

Basically, hormone therapy aims to reduce the amount of testosterone in the body in order to attempt to slow down or preferably stop the growth of the cancer cells.

There is actually no organised screening program for prostate cancer, but men who would like to can visit their doctor and request a prostate specific antigen test (PSA).

This provides information about the current health of the prostate. The PSA is a blood test and can really only provide an indication as to whether prostate cancer is likely to be present.

Whatever you decide, if at all worried about the health of your prostate you should seek a consultation with your doctor, and avail yourself of high quality well informed advice.

Do not let this matter drift - make sure you have any questions or concerns answered as soon as possible. -

by: Eamon Greville

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