National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is also known as National Prostate Health Month or NPHM and is observed every September by health advocates, health experts, and men who are concerned about the health of their prostate and prostate cancer. This year, it is estimated that 175,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 32,000 will die from the disease. Most prostate cancers are diagnosed in men 65 years of age and older.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Fortunately, most prostate cancer cases are diagnosed early on through screening. While no symptoms are evident in early-stage prostate cancer, the more advanced cases often cause the following 5 symptoms:
- Presence of blood in the urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) or problems getting an erection
- Loss of bladder and/or bowel control from the cancer putting pressure on the spine
- Numbness or weakness in the feet or legs
- Pain in the hips, ribs, spine, or areas where the cancer has spread to the bones
- Problems urinating such as the need to urinate more often (especially at night) and a slow or weak urine stream
Most of the problems above aren’t always caused by prostate cancer. In fact, they are more likely to be caused by other conditions. However, it helps to get the right diagnosis in time and digital imaging has made it possible. Even the slightest growth can be diagnosed with ease.
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Although researchers haven’t completely determined the causes of prostate cancer, they have discovered certain risk factors and are learning how these factors could cause prostate cells to mutate into cancer cells. Basically, changes to the DNA of normal prostate cells are responsible for the development of prostate cancer. In addition to this, acquired gene mutations and inherited gene mutations may also be responsible for the development of prostate cancer.
Risk Factors
Risk factors are anything that increases a person’s risk of developing a disease. As a result, different cancers will usually have different risk factors. However, having any of the following risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop the disease. Some of the more common risk factors for developing prostate cancer include:
- Age
- Ethnicity / race
- Family history
- Gene changes
- Geography
Keep in mind that individuals with one or more of the above factors may never get cancer while others who have had no known risk factors develop the disease.
Certain diagnostic imaging modalities may be used during a core needle biopsy procedure. An MRI and transrectal ultrasound will be used to help guide the biopsy procedure. For more information regarding the diagnosis of prostate cancer, call Vital Imaging today at (305) 596-9992.