Prostate cancer is a serious condition that affects men of all ages, but particularly those over 60. It is the most common cancer men experience other than skin cancer, and it is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in men.
The prostate is composed of several different types of cells, but the cells that usually become cancerous are the gland cells. A cancer in gland cells is called an adenocarcinoma. Once these cells become cancerous, the disease can spread to the other cells and throughout the body. The cancer can grow at different rates, and doctors still do not know which cancers will grow quickly and which will grow slowly. The cancer becomes life threatening when it spreads into the body.
Some important facts about prostate cancer are as follows: - This cancer is most often found among men between 60 and 80 years of age.
- Age, family history, and race are all known risk factors for the disease.
- African Americans are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer.
- Men with prostate cancer usually do not have symptoms at the beginning of the disease.
As the tumor progresses, patients begin experiencing symptoms, including: - Weak urinary stream
- Frequent need to urinate
- Nighttime urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Blood found in urine
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Breaks in the urinary stream
According to the Canadian Cancer Society in 2009, an estimated 25,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,400 will die of it.
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