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Informational Awareness News And Videos |
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In the Philippines, prostate ranks as the third leading cancer site among males, behind lung and liver cancers.
Facing the growing number of aging population in Asia, "prostate cancer will be one of the cancers we need comprehensive control program with higher priority," urges Dr Radao Kakizoe, a urologist and president of the National Cancer Center in Tokyo.
Dr. William Foo, consultant in clinical oncology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong sees prostate cancer within the top five cancers among men in the next decade.
Symptoms may include severe pain in the back, pelvis, hips, or thighs; less rigid erections or
impotence which now can be treated by Viagra Cialis or Livitra prescription drugs; and a decrease in the amount of semen ejaculated.
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Urologists interviewed by this columnist urges all males who are 40 years old and above to undergo a digital rectal examination (DRE), in which a doctor's gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum to feel for lumps, enlargement, or areas of hardness that might indicate the presence of cancer.
"It is uncomfortable but not painful, and it's generally brief, lasting less than a minute," assures Prof Lim of Singapore.
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A serious drawback to DRE is that it cannot be relied totally. As such, Letran suggested for a PSA blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein given off by prostate tissue. In general, the higher the PSA, the greater the cancer risk. The Ministry of Health in Singapore believes that the combination of DRE and PSA enhances early detection.
>But DRE and PSA tests are not enough. If the urologist finds something is wrong, he recommends a transrectal ultrasound, the same technology that produces images of babies in the womb. While ultrasound can't distinguish healthy cells from cancer cells, it can help direct a needle biopsy. Two features help a doctor determine the likely course of the cancer and the best treatment: how far the cancer has spread (if the cancer is confined to a small part of the prostate gland, generally many years will pass before it spreads to areas around the gland and then to bone and other parts of the body) and how malignant the cells look (prostate cancer cells that are more distorted under the microscope tend to grow and spread more quickly). Treatment may serious affect a man's lifestyle, according to Letran. Major surgery, radiation therapy, and drugs for prostate cancer often cause impotence and may cause incontinence.
The question that ponders many researchers is why Prostate Cancer is ranked third or less in under-developed countries. Some say it's because of more physical work men are subject to in their lifetime compared to developed countries.
1-2-Oscar Sent Message That said, it remains possible (and may be likely) that prostate cancer occurs more frequently in wealthier societies--because of lifestyle, diet, and possible exposure to carcinogens.
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