Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/healthca/public_html/blog/wp-content/plugins/UltimateTagWarrior/ultimate-tag-warrior-core.php on line 1390
There is a large population of men who fall in the clutches of prostate cancer and that is why it is necessary that men should get their prostate checked starting from the age of 50 till the age of 70.
There are millions of people that fall in this age and undergo the tests every year to get assessment as to the status of their prostate gland. The prostate check includes a blood test that checks the prostate specific antigen, which is also known as PSA, as well as a digital rectal examination in which the individual’s prostate gland’s anatomy is assessed through the rectal wall.
There is a stunning news that the prostate examinations are not perfect and that men should decide for themselves as to whether they would want to get screened for prostate cancer or not. This statement was made by Dr. John Concato, who is a clinical epidemiologist at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System.
It is being mentioned by the doctors that some of the cases of prostate cancer grow pretty slow and their growth does not cause much symptoms, but on the other hand if that cancer is detected at an early stage and the patient goes through surgery and radiation treatment then this can cause incontinence and impotence, which was not that the individual was experiencing while having that cancer. Therefore this early recognition of the cancer is causing a lot of harm than the good as was expected.
It is also interesting to know that the PSA tests can give uncertain results, in which it is stated that if the individuals who have elevated prostate antigen specific levels, do not have prostate cancer. On the other hand some men who have low PSA levels do have cancer.
It is recommended that before an individual goes through the screening tests, they must be knowing the risks and benefits of this test so that they could make a decision as to whether they want to undergo the test or not.
In a study that was conducted included about two different groups of men who were treated at 10 different Veterans Affairs medical centers and one group consisted of about 501 men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and they died later because of that disease or other causes and then the researchers chose about 501 more men who matched the first group in terms of age and other factors, but they survived. The only difference between the two groups was that the group who was alive was not screened for prostate cancer and did not receive any treatments.
In order to understand the prostate anatomy, the prostate gland is a size of a walnut, which is located under the bladder and that makes the fluid for semen. It is interesting to note that the prostate cancer is second only to the skin cancer in its prevalence in American men.
It is mentioned that the diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of cancer.
There are more studies being conducted to see as to what would be the most beneficial tests that would be there and how to assess as to when to start the treatment so that the individual’s quality of life is not affected in anyway.
Tags: