Prostate Cancer

What is the Prostate?

The prostate forms part of the male reproductive system. It’s located right in front of the rectum and just below the bladder. A healthy prostate is about the size of a walnut but can increase in size as men age.

An enlarged prostate can cause issues with urination such as:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Difficulty maintaining urination
• A frequent urge to urinate
• A weak urine stream
• Difficulty with emptying the bladder

Although an enlarged prostate can be an indicator of prostate cancer, it does not always mean that cancer is present. An enlarged prostate without cancer is known as benign prostate hyperplasia, a normal issue experienced by aging men.

What is Prostate Cancer?

In general terms, cancer is a disease that occurs when cells in the body grow faster than they should. When this happens in the prostate, the result is prostate cancer.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Unfortunately, there are often no obvious signs of prostate cancer especially during early stages. In later stages, symptoms can be similar to that of benign prostate hyperplasia.

Thankfully, prostate cancer is extremely treatable when detected early enough and this is why frequent screening is important for all men, especially those who are aging. Prostate screening involves a test that measures the levels of prostate-specific antigens (PSA) in the blood. Abnormally high PSA levels may indicate that cancer is present. Further testing such as biopsies are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

What Causes Prostate Cancer?

The exact cause of prostate cancer remains unknown by medical professionals. However, there are certain risk factors that one should be aware of:

• Age – The risk of prostate cancer increases in men after the age of 50
• Family history – Men with a history of prostate cancer in their family are at higher risk of getting it themselves
• Genetics – There are certain gene mutations that exist in some people which predisposes them to prostate cancer

Parkhealth Medical – Family Health Doctors in Cape Town

Regular prostate screening is a crucial step in detecting prostate cancer in aging men. If you are experiencing any unusual symptoms or would simply like to check your PSA levels, contact our doctors in Cape Town to make an appointment.

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