Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the prostate gland. It is the most common form of cancer among men and every year more than 30,000 men die from the disease. It is also estimated that a quarter of all men with cancer have prostate cancer. For that reason is why a prostate exam is recommended every year after a man turns 40. In said exam a doctor will ask you to lie on your side on the plinth and ask you to pull your knees up toward your chin and insert his gloved finger and feel around the prostate. Results are usually revealed immediately, if the prostate is soft, you have nothing to worry about but if its firm, he will tell you it needs to be further examined.
If a problem is identified, that will increase the chances of treating the cancer. If not discovered in its early stages, the cancer may metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body. Prostate cancer does not present symptoms in early stages. That is why it’s important to have these exams done frequently in order to get to the root of the problem before it’s too late. It is only when the cancer is growing that the following symptoms may present themselves.
- Difficulty maintaining an erection
- Presence of blood in urine
- Lower back pain
- Legs constantly feel numb
When it comes to curing prostate cancer as is the case in all cancers, there is no cure. There are treatments that have been proven most effective, but no surefire solution. Urethral surgery has been proven to be the most effective prostate cancer treatment but most doctors say that a better option would be to keep active surveillance. The reason for that being that the symptoms take longer to develop than in other types of cancer and keeping an eye on the problem is a better solution than jumping into surgery so quickly. However, if the patient chooses to undergo surgery, hormone therapy usually follows by means of a periodic injection of estrogen. This treatment usually remains effective for a period of 15 years. It is only if the cancer appears again that other means like chemotherapy and radiotherapy will be used.
After reading this article you might be thinking to yourself that the whole process is rather unpleasant. That going to a Urology doctor Manhattan might be the last place you’d like to be. You think you are fine and that you have a healthy prostate. Unfortunately, when it comes to prostate issues, you never know. It may be years before symptoms might present themselves and everything can be fine on the outside. A prostate exam although physically unpleasant, is the only way to know how healthy your prostate really is. Dr. Jack Bruder is a lincensed urologist Manhattan that has had his own practice for over 25 years. His team of urologists at the Luzato Medical Group has seen it all. They work with you to make sure your visit is both pleasant and informative.