Posts tagged ‘prostatitis’

The PSA test is a blood test that helps to diagnose prostate cancer. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a substance produced by the prostate gland. High levels of PSA suggest this cancer in the patient or other prostate problems such as prostatitis or an enlarged prostate.

About the Test
Prior to the PSA blood test, the only way to diagnose cancer was through a digital rectal exam; however, the problem was that in the earliest stages of prostate cancer, the digital rectal exam could not detect it. The cancer would have to be large enough to produce a lump that could be felt by the doctor’s finger. Now, with the approval of the PSA blood test by the FDA, the majority of all diagnosed prostate problems cases are in the earliest forms.

The PSA blood test can detect prostate problems at the earliest possible stages. In return, this helps to make the prostate cancer easier to treat and gives patients a higher survival rate. Early stages of prostate cancer that have been diagnosed by the PSA test are treatable and the patient will have over a 95% chance of a relative five-year survival.

Continue reading ‘PSA Test’ »

Posted by Christopher Kuntz on July 6, 2011 at 4:07 pm under Prostate-Cancer.
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Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the prostate gland in the male reproductive system. It is a walnut like organ below the bladder which is responsible to produce liquid in the semen. This cancer forms in a slow pace however, there are some cases of aggressive prostate cancer.

Slow paced prostate cancer may not cause significant harm but the aggressive types are more deadly and can cause various symptoms. This includes difficulty in urinating, problems during sexual intercourse, pain in the lower back and hips, erectile dysfunction, blood in urine or semen.

Not all prostate related symptoms are cancerous. This organ grows as men age which causes constant pressure on the neighboring organs such as bladder. Once the prostate grows in an abnormal size, you can also suffer from prostate cancer symptoms. This condition is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This is not cancer and can be treated once it become irritating. Continue reading ‘Things To Know About Prostate Cancer’ »

Posted by Christopher Kuntz on January 26, 2011 at 2:53 pm under Prostate-Cancer.
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It can be easy to mistake a prostate cancer symptom for symptoms of less critical conditions like enlarged prostate (BPH) or prostatitis. In most cases, a doctor is the first one to detect signs of cancer, usually during a routine exam. That’s the reason why you should see your doctor if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms:

- Difficulty in urinating or holding urine

- The urge to urinate frequently, particularly at night

- An intermittent or weak urine flow

- Burning or painful urination

- Blood in urine or semen

- Difficulty in achieving erections or painful ejaculations

- Frequent stiffness or pain in the lower back, upper thighs, or hips

There are also a variety of factors that can influence the risk of developing cancer of the prostate, which affects one in six American men and makes it the most common type of non-skin cancer. These risk factors include:

Age. As men age, the risk of developing prostate cancer rises. The odds for men under 40 being diagnosed with prostate cancer are roughly between 1 – 10,000. However, as men approach the 40 – 59 year range, the risk increases to 1 in 38. For men between 60 – 69, the rate jumps sharply to between 1 – 15. Continue reading ‘Are You Experiencing a Prostate Cancer Symptom?’ »

Posted by Christopher Kuntz on August 27, 2010 at 10:54 pm under Prostate-Cancer.
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