Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, excluding
skin cancers. One out of every five men will develop prostate cancer at some
point during his life.
African-American men have the highest incidence rate of prostate cancer
in the world, with an incidence rate twice that of Caucasians.
Though the majority (more than 75 percent) of cases occur in men over age
65, many cases also occur in younger men, who sometimes have a more aggressive
cancer.
The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association recommend
that every man over age 50 has a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific
antigen (PSA) blood test each year. African-Americans and others with a family
history of prostate cancer should have both tests beginning at age 40.
There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. When
the tumor growth becomes more advanced, urinary symptoms may develop. These
include:
frequent urination (especially at night).
weak urinary stream.
inability to urinate.
interruption of urinary stream (stopping and starting).
pain or burning on urination.
blood in the urine.
Many of these symptoms are similar to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH),
another common prostate condition in which the prostate enlarges.
Treatment of prostate cancer varies depending on the stage of the disease,
but generally includes surgery, radiation therapy (external beam radiation
and/or radioactive seed implants),
hormone therapy or chemotherapy.
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