Prostate cancer is a disease that only affects men, as only men have the prostate gland in which malignant (cancer) cells can form. In most cases, this disease grows slowly and can be caught early through regular screenings. Nevertheless, prostate cancer is serious and can be life-threatening so it is essential to seek treatment if necessary.
As a male, it is important you are informed about this common type of cancer. The more you know, the better you can recognize symptoms and seek treatment at a prostate cancer center near Dayton, Ohio. Continue reading for answers to the most frequently asked questions about prostate cancer.
How Common is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer affecting men in the US. It is estimated that 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
How Does Prostate Cancer Compare to Other cancers?
A man is more likely to develop prostate cancer than they are to develop colon, kidney, melanoma, and stomach cancers combined. Men are 35% more likely to develop prostate cancer than women are to develop breast cancer.
Who is most likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer?
More than 65% of prostate cancer diagnoses happen in men over the age of 65. This means that simply growing older puts you at risk of developing this disease. Family history also plays a major role in developing prostate cancer. It has been found to be one of the most inheritable diseases. More than half of prostate cancer diagnoses happen in those with a family history.
Is prostate cancer curable?
Generally speaking, the earlier a cancer is caught the more “curable” it will be. Most prostate cancer is detected in the local and regional stages. For prostate cancer found in this stage, the cure rate is nearly 100% and most men go on to live cancer-free after treatment.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Many times prostate cancer found through regular screening can be detected before symptoms appear. Otherwise, symptoms of prostate cancer include frequent, hesitant, or burning urination, difficulty in having an erection, or pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.
How is prostate cancer treated?
There are a wide variety of treatment options available for men with prostate cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy, any or all of which might be used at different times depending on the stage of disease and the need for treatment.
Prostate Cancer Center in Dayton, Ohio
For more information about prostate cancer, prostate screenings, or to make an appointment, contact our cancer treatment center in Dayton, Ohio. At Urology Specialists of Ohio, our team is experts in helping monitor prostate health as well as detect and treat prostate cancer.