Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects men. Worrying is that most of them know nothing about this gland and, obviously, can not prevent the disease. The more quickly recognize of symptoms and the disease is detected early stages, and the chances of survival increase. Dr Tom Stuttaford, a specialist in prostate cancer provides some essential information that every man needs to know about prostate cancer.



What is the prostate? - The prostate is a small gland the size and the shape of a chestnut. It is located under the bladder and surrounds the upper portion of the urethra - the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis. Prostate gland produces a thick clear fluid that mixes with sperm to form such spermatic fluid.

How do I know if I have prostate problems? - Urinary flow is a good indicator for prostate problems. Therefore, if you have difficulty or pain on urination, urinate frequently, especially at night or the sensation of impending urination, which can not be postponed, it would be good to go to a specialist urologist. These signs do not necessarily indicate the presence of prostate cancer, there may be other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate adenoma, in which urine flow is restricted and therefore there will be the need to urinate more often, especially at night or prostatitis and chronic prostate gland is inflamed. An estimated 35% of men may experience chronic prostatitis in life and manifest symptoms that are frequent and painful urination, decreased libido and erectile failure.

Other symptoms that you may consider are: testicular pain, blood in urine or semen, erection problems, pain at ejaculation.

Age is a risk factor? - Prostate cancer generally affects men past 50 years and about half the men of this age group have larger prostate. Most cases of cancer are diagnosed in men aged between 70 and 74. One in 25 men (3.8%) died due to disease and 7 of 10 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer survive more than 5 years. Prostatitis can affect men at any age.

What is the PSA test? - After the age of 40 years, experts recommend that all men do their blood analysis which indicates a blood level of a protein called PSA (prostate specific antigen). Prostate specific antigen is the most important tumor marker of prostate pathology, so it is wise for every man to make this annual analysis. This is one of the interesting facts about prostate cancer: not all men have all the defected genes, so this test might not be enough to diagnose prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is hereditary? - If your family were or are members who suffer from prostate cancer, then your risk to develop this disease is quite high. Therefore you must inform your doctor when you go to routine checks on these issues and also to your specific investigations carried out regularly.

Diet influences cancer? - Diet is also one of the interesting facts about prostate cancer. Specialists from the Institute for Research on Cancer estimated that over 30% of all cancers are related to food mistakes we make. Therefore, diet plays an important role in preventing prostate cancer. Try to eat six servings of colorful fruits and vegetables per day and three servings of fatty fish a week (salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines). It is rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6. Other studies have shown that Japanese and Chinese have fewer cases of prostate cancer due to consumption of green tea.