More Videos On This Subjectdiagnosis
Related Videosdiagnosis
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men globally, including in the United Kingdom. It primarily affects the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system responsible for producing seminal fluid. Here's an overview of prostate cancer, including its risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment:
1. Risk Factors:
- Age: Prostate cancer risk increases with age, with the majority of cases occurring in men over 50.
- Family History: A family history of prostate cancer can elevate the risk, especially if close relatives were diagnosed at a young age.
- Ethnicity: Some ethnic groups, such as African-Caribbean and African men, have a higher risk.
- Lifestyle Factors: A diet high in saturated fats and low in fruits and vegetables, obesity, and lack of physical activity can contribute to increased risk.
2. Symptoms:
- Early-stage prostate cancer may not present noticeable symptoms.
- As the disease progresses, symptoms can include difficulty urinating, frequent urination (especially at night), weak urine flow, blood in urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, and pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis.
3. Diagnosis:
- Diagnosis often begins with a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and a digital rectal examination (DRE).
- If these tests suggest an issue, a biopsy is performed to confirm the presence of cancer.
4. Staging:
- Prostate cancer is staged to determine its extent and aggressiveness, which guides treatment decisions. Stages range from localized (confined to the prostate) to advanced (spread to other organs or distant lymph nodes).
5. Treatment:
- Treatment options depend on the cancer's stage and the patient's overall health.
- Options include active surveillance, surgery (radical prostatectomy), radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy), hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
- Treatment decisions often involve weighing the benefits and potential side effects in consultation with healthcare professionals.
6. Prognosis:
- Prostate cancer prognosis varies widely, but many cases are slow-growing and may not require immediate aggressive treatment.
- Early detection and timely intervention significantly improve outcomes, with high survival rates for localized cases.
Prostate cancer is a complex disease with various risk factors and treatment options. Regular screenings and discussions with healthcare providers are essential for early detection and tailored management, ensuring the best possible outcomes for affected individuals.
Useful links from: Treating prostate cancer
- The Prostate Cancer UK website 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. If you’re over 50, or you’re black, or your dad or brother had it, you’re at even higher risk. Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening. But when it is, the earlier you catch it the more likely it is to be cured.
- Benign prostate enlargement Information from NHS Inform Scotland
- An overview of prostate cancer from NHS UK
- An overview of prostate cancer from NHS Wales Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs you have it for many years.
- Prostate Cancer Research UK
Useful links from: Prostate cancer diagnosis and tests
Useful links from: Living with prostate cancer
- https://prostatecanceruk.org 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. If you’re over 50, or you’re black, or your dad or brother had it, you’re at even higher risk.
- Benign prostate enlargement Benign prostate enlargement (BPE), also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition that affects older men and anyone with a prostate.
- Overview - Prostate cancer
- Overview - Prostate cancer - from NHS Wales
Useful links from: Why do men get prostate cancer?
- https://www.cancerresearchuk.org Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found at the base of the bladder and is about the size of a walnut.
- An overview of prostate cancer from the NHS UK
- Prostate cancer from NHS Wales
- Are you at risk from prostate cancer? In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. We don't know exactly what causes prostate cancer but there are some things that may mean you are more likely to get it – these are called risk factors.
Useful links from: Prostate cancer symptoms - detecting them early
Have you found an error, or do you have a link or some information you would like to share? Please let us know using the form below.
- Ergsy carfully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
- Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
- To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
- Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
- You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
- Go to the video you'd like to watch.
- If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
- To turn on Captions, click settings .
- To turn off Captions, click settings again.