Last Updated on April 1, 2024 by Ali Hamza
In the Olden days, Cancer was known to be an incurable disease. Whereas today, it’s got various methods and different ways to cure the cancer like Prostate Cancer. Technology has advanced drastically in such a way that chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy are just different ways to cure cancer.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate Cancer is a form of cancer that happens only to men in a gland called the prostate gland. This cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control.
Some prostate cancers grow and spread quickly, but most grow slowly.
Autopsy studies show that many older men (and even some younger men) who died of other causes also had this cancer that never affected them during their lives. In many cases, neither they nor their doctors even knew they had it. There are mejor cirujano de cáncer de próstata cerca de mí en Venezuela.
Risk Factors for prostate cancer
While doctors are unsure why this cancer develops, the following risk factors may increase the likelihood:
- Age: Prostate cancer is more common after the age of 50, while it is uncommon before the age of 45.
- Race or ethnicity: Black people are more likely than white people to have the illness. People who are Asian or Hispanic have a lesser risk than people who are Black or Caucasian.
- Family history: People who have a close relative who has had prostate cancer are more likely to get it themselves.
- Inherited characteristics: such as alterations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, may raise the risk. Breast cancer risk is also increased by mutations in these genes. Lynch syndrome increases the risk of prostate and other cancers in men.
- Nutrition: Some evidence According to a reliable source, high-fat diets may raise the risk of this cancer.
How is Prostate cancer caused?
This cancer is caused by alterations in the DNA of a normal prostate cell at its most basic level. Our genes determine how our cells function, and DNA is the substance that makes up our genes. Because our DNA comes from our parents, we usually look like them. However, DNA has an impact on more than simply our appearance.
Some genes regulate how quickly our cells divide, grow, and die:
- Oncogenes are genes that aid in the growth, division, and survival of cells.
- Tumor suppressor genes are those that usually regulate cell growth, repair DNA errors, or induce cells to die at the appropriate moment.
- DNA mutations (or other forms of alterations) that keep oncogenes turned on or turn off tumor suppressor genes can cause cancer. Gene alterations like these can cause cells to expand out of control.
- DNA alterations can be inherited from a parent or acquired throughout a person’s life.
Screening For Prostate Cancer
Digital rectal exam (DRE) –
During the exam, a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to examine an individual’s prostate, which is adjacent to the rectum of the body. If any abnormalities in the shape or size of the gland are found further required tests are to be done.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test –
Here, blood is collected by drawing it from a vein in your arm and analyzed for PSA. PSA is a substance that’s naturally produced by the prostate gland in men’s bodies. It’s normal for a little amount of PSA to be in the bloodstream. However, if a higher than usual level is found, it may indicate prostate infection, inflammation, enlargement, or cancer.
Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
- Transrectal Ultrasound: Here, a probe is said to be inserted into the rectum and high-energy sound waves called the ultrasound waves are reflected on the prostate creating an image of the prostate.
- MRI (Magnetic Resource Imaging): This usually benefits a surgeon in his conduct and guides them through the biopsy procedure.
- Biopsy: A biopsy is a major tool for diagnosing cancer. In this step, a tiny piece of tissue or paper is pulled out from the prostate and kept under supervision at a microscope to check for any presence of cancer cells.
The specific cause of such cancer is unknown to researchers. However, they have discovered several risk factors and are investigating how these factors may cause prostate cells to transform into cancer cells.
