Prostate Cancer Treatment Options Tyldesley

The prostate is a gland situated just underneath the bladder surrounding the urethra, and produces semen - the fluid that carries and protects sperm. It is about the size of a walnut, but if it becomes enlarged it can cause urinary problems. Cancerous tumours can sometimes grow within the prostate and spread to other parts of the body through the blood stream or lymphatic system.

The causes of prostate cancer

The exact causes of prostate cancer are not yet known, however studies show that there are several factors likely to increase your risk:

• Age – if you’re over 50

• Hormones – high levels of male hormones (androgens) including testosterone

• Heredity – if a close relative has had prostate cancer you are at increased risk

• Breast cancer – if a close female relative has had breast cancer it could mean that you’ve inherited a faulty gene and are at increased risk of getting prostate cancer

• African-American and Afro-Caribbean men are at greater risk

• Diet – eating lots of animal fat can increase your risk, whereas a diet high in fruit and vegetables (especially tomatoes) can decrease your risk

• Weight – being very overweight increases your risk of developing prostate cancer

• Smoking

Prostate cancer treatment options

There are several different methods of treating prostate cancer, and the one you choose will depend on various factors such as your age, the stage and grade of the cancer, any other serious health problems you might have, and how you feel about the side effects of treatment. The best thing to do is to talk to your consultant in detail and discuss all possible options. Often it is recommended that you do not have any prostate cancer treatment at all (if the cancer is particularly slow-growing).

Profile of the Author: This article is written by Jackie Griffiths , a freelance journalist who writes health, medical, biological, and pharmaceutical articles for national and international journals, newsletters and web sites. 

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