Prostate Cancer Warning Signs

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The body is made up of different types of cells that in turn are grouped into different tissues and organs. There are more than 200 different types of body cells. Cancer is a disease caused by the changing of these normal cells in an uncontrolled way, thus forming a lump, which, if not treated medically, will spread into adjacent normal cells or apply pressure on other body structures.  Cancer research is all about identifying what causes cancer and working out ways and means for the diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of this deadly disease.

In the world today, there are many NGO’s and government sponsored institutions engaged in comprehensive cancer research work.  Billions of dollars are spent annually on such work by these institutions.  Normally such research work is spread from epidemiology, molecular bioscience to the carrying out of clinical trials of different treatment applications so as to evaluate and compare the efficacy of such applications.  However, since 1990’s, the focus of these research has been centered on immunotherapy and gene therapy.

Some non-governmental organizations such as American Institute for Cancer Research (AIR) and Cancer Research UK have been funding thousands of scientists, doctors, and other research students in cancer research.  Their research work covers almost all aspects of cancer-related subjects through extensive programmes of world-class research in hospitals, universities and other institutes all over the world.

More and more promising researchers, students, and scientists are joining in cancer research work in order to fight this deadly disease that afflicts millions of patients globally. The aspiring students of cancer research may well remember that they could find very insightful and educative research articles and source material from the World Wide Web.  At the same time, if they are looking for some research grant or fellowship to carry out cancer research work to save the lives of millions of cancer patients in the world, they have a ready reference guide in the Internet where a simple search will give them a plethora of websites of such organizations that are all too ready to grant such assistance.

Everybody concerned about cancer, be it patients or academics, are keen on finding the latest news on the types of new therapy and information on treatments.  Internet has all these.  However, it is always useful to corroborate this evidence of the latest from many sources before accepting a single research paper.  Mind you, cancer research is an ongoing process.

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Prostate cancer: the facts

If prostate cancer is detected in time, then it might be prevented. It is therefore advised that you get to know the facts and fictions about its signs and how to seek treatment.

Myth 1: I don’t have any signs of prostate cancer, so I can’t possibly be having the disease.

Truth: When in its initial stage prostate cancer mostly does not show any signs. However as the disease increases you start to have urinary problems or painful hips or pelvis. Much as these are also prostate cancer symptoms do not be alarmed as these signs can also be brought about by non-cancerous prostate complications. However if you have any of the above mentioned symptoms please do not hesitate to contact your doctor. You can also visit the Prostate Cancer Charity web page for more beneficial tips.

Myth 2: If my doctor or GP recommends that I undergo a Prostate Specific Antigen test or PSA that is proof that I have prostate cancer.

Truth: PSA testing can help detect complications in the prostate gland; however PSA is not mainly connected to prostate cancer. The PSA is present in all men?s blood and so its level can be influenced by a number of things, for example age, infection and a number of medicines. There are also some complications not unrelated to prostate cancers that may influence it thus making its levels high. However is your PSA test results are low, is not an assurance that you are prostate cancer free. This is mainly because cancer in its initial stages does not change the PSA level.

Myth 3: If I have prostate cancer,  can I infect my spouse?

Truth: Prostate cancer cannot be passed on from one person to another be it different sex or same sex. It is also important to note that since women don’t have prostate glands, then there is no way they can get prostate cancer.

Facts:

1. Prostate cancer is the leading form of cancer in the UK. Out of 35,000 men who are detected to be suffering from prostate cancer, 10,000 of them die from it annually.
2. There is a chance of survival if prostate cancer is detected early since it can be controlled.
3. There are two kinds of prostate cancers: the ‘pussycats’ and the ‘tigers’. Pussycats are minor, sluggish in growth, and not likely to affect you. This kind of cancer might not require instant handling. The ‘tigers’ are destructive and reach past the prostate glands. Scientists are attempting to differentiate between the two cancers during tests so that men can be accorded the appropriate remedies.

Prostate Specific Antigen test

The PSA ascertains if the levels of prostate specific antigen available in the blood is normal. If it is high, it means that there is a chance that it could be prostate cancer.

The benefits of PSA test:

• It could save your life by showing traces of prostate cancer even It may indicate prostate cancer ahead of any signs.
• By detecting cancer, it may save your life when you seek treatment before it becomes malignant.

Drawbacks of the PSA test:

• It might not detect cancers at its initial stages.
• In the event that your PSA level is high, you shall require detailed analysis that might have a threat to you live and also after effects. It is known that about two thirds of men who have high levels of PSA don’t suffer from prostate cancer.
• It cannot differentiate between the two forms of prostate cancer, the tiger and pussycat. That means that it can detect a ‘pussycat’ form of prostate cancer that would have otherwise not have brought you any complications or even death.

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If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you are no doubt wondering what your chances of survival are, and what your options are.  You have probably made inquiries about the growth rate of your cancer, and whether it needs to be treated.  You may be considering a variety of treatment options, such as seed implants, removal, or a combined approach involving several procedures.  What is the best way to decide?  You and your doctor will have to examine the particulars of your case, and the direction those variables typically tend to lead.

Because cancer is a systemic disease, it is not possible to determine its precise location within the prostate, or how quickly it is growing.  Your doctor will not be able to say if the cancer has spread, or what the outcome will be.  MRI and bone scans are not able to register very small metastatic tumors, so  the only information you will truly know is what the likelihood is, what the averages indicate.  Your doctor can give you a picture of your situation only in terms of how your symptoms and test results relate to those of other people.

You may be told your chances of  undergoing treatment successfully as a percentage.  However, the outcome is cut and dry.  You will not be cured up to a certain point.  Treatment will be successful or it will not.  The percentages give you an indication of your likelihood, based on research and your doctor’s personal knowledge of how the disease progressed in other cases.  Your PSA level is one indicator your doctor will use.  Comparison of PSA levels and five year survival rates can be one way in which your doctor can help you understand the severity of your situation.

Another variable to consider is the Gleason score.  Even if PSA levels are low and carry a high survival rate, a high Gleason score can indicate that the outlook is not so good.  Determining a proper prognosis is a matter of taking into account as many variables as possible.  Because medical studies typically only concern themselves with one or two variables, your doctor’s combined knowledge is very important.  Research results must be compared with your own test results, and the doctor must make an educated guess as to the seriousness of your situation, and which treatment options are most likely to produce results.  You are probably finding this a very uncomfortable idea, but this is as close to an answer as is possible.

There are certain variable which are standardly used in making this determination.  PSA, Gleason score, and the stage of the cancer are all used to determine the risk level associated with prostate cancer.  Low risk patients typically possess a PSA below 10, Gleason scores from 2 to 6, and Stages T1-T2a.  Intermediate risk patients have PSA levels between 10 and 20, Gleason scores of 7, and Stages T2b-T2c.  High risk patients exhibit PSA levels above 20, Gleason scores 8-10, and Stages T3-T4.

You need to be aware of your PSA, Gleason, and Stage.  If you do not already know, ask your doctor, and keep a careful eye on these numbers.  Your PSA level may fluctuate, so bear in mind the PSA level you had prior to beginning any treatment.  We have put together three variables to determine three risk classifications.  Low risk indicates a high survival rate with a good likelihood that treatment will result in a cure.  The cancer is probably still localized.  High risk is a poor prognosis  I maintain that high risk patients should pursue aggressive and comprehensive treatment regimens utilizing a combination of several treatments.  Patients in the intermediate risk category should be carefully tested, and must take great care when selecting the treatment option they wish to pursue.

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