As a man ages, his prostate may change. Inside a changing prostate, groups of cells may form tumors or other growths. Some may be benign (not cancerous), but they may still cause symptoms. Others may be cancerous. Having an enlarged prostate does not mean you have prostate Cancer. It is recommended for most men over 50 to have a screening prostate exam yearly to detect early prostate cancer which is the second most common form of cancer in men. Prostate cancer causes no symptoms in the early stages when treatment is most effective. If your father or brother had prostate cancer or you are African American, you may be at a higher risk and screening is recommended to start at the age 40. Also, it appears that a high fat diet increases your risk of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms at first. Urinary problems often are not a sign of cancer, but of another condition. To find out if you have prostate cancer, your doctor must examine you and order tests. Tests help confirm a diagnosis of cancer. They also help give more information about a cancerous tumor. Tests include:
Being told that you have cancer is frightening. But most men diagnosed with prostate cancer don’t die from it. Even though a cure can’t be guaranteed, treatment can often keep the cancer under control. The treatment your healthcare team will suggest depends on many factors. These include your age, your overall health, how fast the cancer is growing, and whether it has spread. Discuss your options with your healthcare team consisting of your urologist, radiation oncologist, and other medical staff involved in treating your medical condition
Knowing the cancer’s grade and stage helps with forming a treatment plan. Discuss your treatment options with your healthcare team to find what is best for you.
For qualified candidates, robotically assisted prostate surgery offers numerous potential benefits over the traditional open prostatectomy, including shorter hospital stay, less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss and transfusions, less scarring, faster recovery, and quicker return to normal activities.Learn More