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Prostate Cancer Research Paper

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Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in American men after skin cancer. There are many risk factors that increase the disease such as age, being the far most important risk factor, along with race, family history and diet (ASCO, 2015). The prostate is a walnut shaped gland of the male reproductive system that functions to create part of the semen, which is fluid in which sperm swim in when ejaculation occurs. It is located inferior to the bladder, anterior to the rectum, surrounding the urethra. For this reason, when a prostate becomes abnormal, many signs and symptoms manifest themselves when a male urinates. When the prostate becomes enlarged by cancer or any other disease, it blocks the neck of the urethra causing a weak stream, …show more content…

Prostatic carcinoma is more common in older men after age 50, however any man is at risk for this type of cancer. American Society of Clinical Oncology says that more than 80% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older. Depending the race that one may be can increase the risk for prostate cancer. The National Institute of Cancer says that African-American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer followed by white males, Hispanic, Native American males and Asian American men, who are at least risk. Another big risk factor for prostate cancer is family history. The Centers for Disease control and Prevention states that certain genes that are inherited from ones parents may affect the risk for prostate cancer. They say that a man with a father or brother who has had prostate cancer is two to three times more likely to develop the disease himself. Another study by the National Institute of Cancer has showed that a man from a family with history of breast cancer is also at high risk for prostate …show more content…

The symptoms that appear usually are not because of the cancer itself, but because of the blockage the enlarged prostate is causing to the urethra. These symptoms include hematuria, erectile dysfunction, problems urinating such as a weak stream or frequent urination at night, pain in the hips, back (spine), & or chest depending if the cancer has metastasized & also weakness or numbness in the feet or legs. Some of these symptoms however, also manifest themselves in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, which is an enlargement that is common as men age. Never the less if a man notices any change, it is important to see a

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