It is the way of Skycity raising awareness and showing support of Prostate Cancer for this month - Blue September.
Well after I read an article about the cancer, I decided to post it onto the blog so that we all get to know more about this potentially deadly cancer..
Article below is from http://www.everybody.co.nz/page-11098a59-912f-4d9d-b167-230ce44dca73.aspx
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut, found only in men. It sits just below the bladder and surrounds the top part of the urethra, the tube that takes urine from the bladder to the penis.
The prostate produces some of the fluid that makes up semen. The growth and development of the prostate depends on the male sex hormone, testosterone, which is produced by the testes.
It is common for the prostate gland to get larger as men grow older. This enlargement is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is not cancer, even though the symptoms of BPH may be similar to those of prostate cancer.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumour of the prostate gland. Very early prostate cancers are contained within the prostate gland and are called localised cancers. These early cancers do not usually produce symptoms and may not develop into a serious cancer. Such cancers may not require treatment.
However, some prostate cancers grow within the prostate gland and spread to the surrounding tissues. This is called invasive prostate cancer. There is a collection of small lymph glands near the prostate that are part of the lymphatic system, one of your body's natural defences against infection.
Lymph glands filter out bacteria and other harmful agents. A network of very thin lymph vessels connects the major lymph glands in your abdomen, pelvis, groin, neck and armpits.
Cancer that develops in the prostate may spread (or metastasise) via the lymphatic system or bloodstream to other parts of the body, such as the bones.
It is important to note that some men with prostate cancer do not experience symptoms or are not aware of the significance of some of the symptoms they may have experienced.
How common is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer occurs mainly in men aged over 65 years and is the most common cancer among New Zealand men. Around 2000 to 3000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in New Zealand each year.
Causes of prostate cancer
The causes of prostate cancer are not yet fully understood but the risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. The risks are also higher if other family members have developed this cancer.
There is some evidence to support the idea that a diet high in animal fat increases the chance of developing prostate cancer.
While it is not possible to make clear recommendations about a particular diet, a lower fat, high fruit and vegetable diet is linked with a reduced risk of a number of chronic diseases and is an overall recommendation towards improving health.
Symptoms
Localised prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms at all. The following urinary symptoms are common in men over 50 and are due to pressure from the prostate on the urethra:
- passing urine more frequently
- difficulty starting and stopping when passing urine
- poor flow of urine
- getting up at night more frequently to urinate.
Although these symptoms are usually due to benign (not cancerous) prostate enlargement, it is important to have them checked by a doctor.
Sometimes prostate cancer can spread without these symptoms occurring. If this happens, the first symptoms may be pain in the groin, lower back, hip or upper thighs.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
Prostate cancer is diagnosed using a combined approach of considering symptoms, carrying out a physical examination, biopsies and scans.
Diagnostic tests
A number of tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis if your doctor suspects that you have prostate cancer. These tests will also check the size of the cancer and determine whether or not it has spread.
There are alot more informations about Prostate Cancer. Please click here to find out more.
No comments:
Post a Comment