Prostate Cancer - Research Paper Example

Pro Cancer Pro Cancer is one of the most painful types of cancer that can be found among the male human species. The cancer itself develops in the prostate gland which is a part of the male reproductive system. This type of cancer is usually slow in progression but do show certain instances of aggressive development in some cases. Once metastasized, the cancer spreads to other previously unaffected body parts and ends up directly affecting the patients bones and lymph nodes. Some of the early symptoms of the illness that include difficulty in urinating, sexual intercourse and erectile dysfunction problems. These symptoms in particular have led some experts to believe that the illness could be caused by infection through sexual intercourse. Other experts have been nursing a hypothesis that the cancer could also be caused by exposure to Cadium and other industrial strength exposure to chemicals. However, recent medical studies have shown that (Ross, R., “The Etiology of Prostrate Cancer: What Does the Epidemiology Suggest?”) : “epidemiologic and experimental evidence supporting each of three etiologic hypotheses–industrial exposure to cadmium, sexual transmission by an infectious agent, and endocrine factors–are reviewed. Evidence from descriptive data in Los Angeles suggests that only a small portion of cases might be attributable to industrial exposures. In a cohort study of Catholic priests, we found no deficit of prostate cancer mortality, strong evidence against sexual transmission of the disease. Experimental evidence and a limited amount of human data support an endocrine hypothesis. “ Although these studies have scientific data backing it up, there are also certain instances when genetics have been found to be a key player in the predisposition of a male patient to Prostate Cancer. The genetic link is normally found in relation to a mans diet and genetic make-up. As such the illness can normally be found in men over the age of fifty and are normally found in men of South and East Asian descent and very rarely among the European and American types. However the American Cancer Society has found that the DNA make up of a person is changed within a normal prostate cell and it is that change which dictates the action of the genes in the man. To quote (American Cancer Society, “Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention Topics”); “A small percentage (about 5% to 10%) of prostate cancers are linked to inherited DNA changes. Other DNA changes happen during a persons lifetime. Certain of these changes can cause prostate cancer. “ Although Prostate Cancer does not normally show any telltale signs in its sufferers, there are some signs and symptoms that men can think of as red flags that signal the need for cancer screening. These include but are not limited to; “trouble urinating, decreased force in the stream of urine, blood in the urine or semen, swelling in the legs, discomfort in the pelvic area, and bone pain” (Mayo Clinic Staff, “Symptoms of Prostate Cancer”). Having any one or all of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that the man will definitely test positive for PCD (Prostate Cancer Diagnosis) screening since any one of the following methods may be used for screening purposes and could prove inconclusive in the end. A man may undergo any of the following two tests (National Cancer Institute, “Prostate Cancer Screening”): “Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) is an exam of the rectum. The doctor or nurse inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the lower part of the rectum to feel the prostate for lumps or anything else that seems unusual... A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a test that measures the level of PSA in the blood... The level of PSA may also be high in men who have an infection or inflammation of the prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; an enlarged, but noncancerous, prostate).Scientists are studying the combination of PSA testing and digital rectal exams a way to get more accurate results from the screening tests.” Unlike other cancers that spread uncontrollably upon detection, Prostate Cancer is slow in developing and often takes years before it poses any real health dangers for the sufferer. In fact, there have been instances wherein the cancer patient dies from other unrelated symptoms such as pneumonia or old age. This type of cancer is the only cancer type that does not require immediate treatment, or sometimes, does not require any treatment at all. Instead, specialist practice active surveillance of the illness that includes regular blood screening, rectal exams, and periodic biopsies (Mayo Clinic Staff, “Treatment and Drugs for Prostate Cancer”). Elevated signs of the illness may require radiation therapy via either external beams or brachytherapy, or hormone therapy in order to control the testosterone production in the body, prevention of testosterone manufacturing through drug intake, or an orchiectomy (testicle removal). Other treatments include heating the prostate tissue via ultrasound in order to induce cancer cell death or chemotherapy. It is not known at the moment if Prostate Cancer can be avoided through a balanced diet, weight maintenance, and exercise. But since the cancer does not have any long term debilitating effects on the patient, its sufferers are normally expected to live full and normal lives provided the sufferer remains under constant medical supervision (American Cancer Society, “Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?”). Patient teaching for those afflicted with the illness include an overview of the illness and its current treatment progression, including the assurance that the cancer is not one that will directly affect their lifestyle nor cause an early demise provided that the patient follows certain specific doctor advised lifestyle changes and medical supervision methods in order to track the progression or non-progression of the illness. Sources American Cancer Society. (2012). Prostate cancer overview. Learn About Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/OverviewGuide/prostate-cancer- overview-prevention Mayo Clinic Staff. (2012). Basics. Prostate Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-cancer/DS00043 National Cancer Insitute. (2011). Prostate cancer screening (PDQ). Prostate Cancer Screening. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ screening/prostate/Patient/page3 Ross, R. K., Paganini-Hill, A. and Henderson, B. E. (1983), The etiology of prostate cancer: What does the epidemiology suggest?. Prostate, 4: 333–344. doi:10.1002/pros.2990040403 Read More