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hat is Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. By age 50, up to one in four men have some cancerous cells in the prostate gland. By age 80, the ratio increases to one in two. As you age, your risk of prostate cancer increases.

The prostate gland is located immediately below a man's bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that runs from the bladder and out the penis. The prostate is normally the size of a walnut. but it can enlarge as a man ages, particularly around ages 40-50. An enlarged prostate can squeeze the urethra, affecting the ability to urinate.

If a man's immediate male relatives (brother, father or uncle) have had prostate cancer, there is an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The longer a man lives the higher his chances of developing prostate cancer. The average age of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in America is over 60 year, although cases have been found in men in their twenties.

Any man can get prostate cancer but the risk is higher in Hispanic and African Americans than in Caucasian men. Other risk factors include age, genetics and environment. IGF-1 is a hormone produced by many organs including the prostate. IGF-1 is essential for normal cell growth, but excessive levels can lead to excessive cell growth, including cancer. A study by Harvard and subsequent research in Sweden confirm an association between increased levels of IGF-1 and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

While there is no proof that diet or environment contribute directly to prostate cancer, it is also well known that a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in red meat and fats is better for you as is a clean environment.

It is estimated that 42% of American men will develop a small focus of cancer cells in the prostate by age 50. By age 90, approximately 90% will have the same microscopic evidence of prostate cancer. However, only 3% will actually die from the disease. Once prostate cancer has been discovered, it may be prudent to remain watchful rather than leap to the decision to undergo surgery or other treatment. A simple blood test called PSA or prostate specific antigen measures a protein produced only by the prostate. A normal amount for an adult male would be between 1 and 4 ng/ml. A significantly higher amount would indicate that prostate cancer cells are producing this protein. The American Cancer Society recommends that men over the age of 50 have a PSA test each year. Men with fathers, sons or brothers with prostate cancer should begin having this test at age 40. It is also recommended that men also have a digital rectal examination to check for lumps on the prostate in case the prostate is not producing extra PSA.

Cancer cells that develop within the capsule of the prostate can remain there for years, undetected. The next stage of growth takes the cells beyond the prostate itself and into the surrounding organs. The third stage of growth is when the cells use the lymph and blood vessels to spread throughout the body. The usual targets are lymph nodes, bones, lung and liver, but can spread to any part of the body.

There are no clear symptoms that can be pinpointed as symptoms of prostate cancer alone. The symptoms could easily be normal aging or caused by other disorders. The symptoms could easily be attributed to a variety of other conditions, so a physician should be consulted. The following symptoms have been identified as possible indicators of prostate cancer:

• Frequent urination, particularly at night
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Inability to urinate
• Difficulty in controlling urination, starting or stopping
• Interrupted urine flow or weak flow
• Pain or burning during urination
• Pain or stiffness in hips or lower back