Prostate is a gland found only in men. Its function is is to make some of the fluid that is part of semen. Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow uncontrollably. In the U.S., it is estimated that there are about 180,890 new cases of prostate cancer in 2016. It is a serious disease, but most men with prostate cancer do not actually die from it.
What Causes Prostate Cancer Is Unclear
It is not exactly known as to what causes prostate cancer, but researchers found some risk factors and are trying to learn just how these factors cause prostate cells to become cancer. Basically, it is caused by changes in the DNA that turn on oncogenes or turn off tumor suppressor genes. These gene mutations can either be inherited or acquired.
Cancer Staging is a way to help determine how much cancer is in your body and where it is located. It gives doctors information on how big the tumor is, whether it has spread or not and if it has spread, where has the cancer gone to. It helps decide the best way to treat the cancer.
Prostate Cancer Surgery Commonly Leads To Impotence
The American Urologic Association periodically reviews treatment results for prostate cancer, and they always come up with the same conclusion - In general, there is no difference in the likelihood of cure whether one has surgery or radiation therapy.
There is a high risk of incontinence following a prostatectomy performed after radiation therapy. In most cases, men require one to two months to regain continence after surgery and overall, about five percent never regain urine control, and have to wear a diaper for the rest of their lives.)
Impotence is more common with surgery than with radiation therapy. Impotence is ability to obtain an erection sufficient for vaginal penetration". So if you can have sex for 30 seconds, you are counted as being potent by the urologists.
Bottomline is, prostate cancer patients should talk to a health officer extensively about which treatment is better for them, and for their lifestyle.
