The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. Prostate cancer occurs when prostate cells divide uncontrollably into tumors. If detected very early when tumors are very small, about 90% of cases can be cured with surgery or radiation. Unfortunately, the disease causes no or very few symptoms at this stage and is very difficult to detect. If untreated, cancer cells continue to grow and may spread to other sites in the body. Most prostate cancers are slow growing, taking years to grow large enough to be detected and even longer to spread. However, some cases are faster growing and much more aggressive. Unfortunately it is difficult to know if a tumor will be more or less aggressive, making treatment decisions more complicated.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer affecting about 1 in 6 American men. Men are 35% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than women are to be diagnosed with breast cancer. This year about 192,000 new cases will be diagnosed and about 27,000 deaths will occur due to prostate cancer. It is estimated that more than 2 million American men are living with prostate cancer. Early detection and treatment are the keys to survival. Almost all cases detected in the local or regional stage will be disease free after five years.

The older you are, the more likely it is that you will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Only 1 in 10,000 men will be diagnosed under age 40, 1 in 38 between 40 and 59, and 1 in 15 between 60 and 69. African American men are much more likely to develop the disease. A family history of prostate cancer also greatly increases the risk of the disease.

Prevention includes maintaining a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet and regular exercise. Diet should include fruits and vegetables, fish, tomatoes, soy, and tea (either black or green). However, regular screening is most important because early detection is so critical to the success of the treatment. There are two screening methods, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). The PSA is a blood test and the DRE is a physical exam by the doctor. The American Cancer Society recommends that both the PSA and the DRE be offered annually beginning at age 50 and men with high risk should begin at age 45.

The Total Health and Wellness Center of Taos offer the PSA test as well as a number of health screening and nutritional consultations. Health is our business.

Reference: http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/site/c.itIWK2OSG/b.4983495/k.5C76/About_Prostate_Cancer.htm.

[Return to Archive Index]

[PageTop]