Prostate Screening

Digital rectal exam (DRE). The doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and feels the prostate to check for anything abnormal.

In the diagram on the left, urine flows normally while, on the right, urine flow is hindered.

Screening involves the detection of cancer through diagnostic test(s) performed before any symptoms occur. There is no standard or routine screening test for prostate cancer. Test for prostate cancer detection are still being tested but, for the time being, the main tests are:

• Digital Rectal Exam - The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate through the rectal wall (seen above). The prostate is checked for hard or lumpy areas or anything unusual.
• Blood test for PSA (Prostate-specific Antigen) - A lab checks the level of PSA in a man's blood sample. A high PSA level is commonly caused by BPH ( Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis). However, high levels of PSA in men also give a possible indication of prostate cancer.

These tests cannot show whether the problem is cancer or a less serious condition. Further tests, according to the outcome of the previous tests, must be performed to detect signs of cancer.

Prostate Cancer Questionnaire

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting 1 in 6 men. A man dies from prostate cancer every 19 minute. More than 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65 with African American men 56% more like than Caucasian men to develop prostate cancer and nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from the disease. Prostate cancer is less common in Asian and American Indian men. The cure rate is very high, when caught and treated in the early stages.

Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the prostate begin to grow uncontrollably. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum (as seen above). It's primary function is to produce seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm out of a man's body. Male hormones, androgens, which are produced in the testes, make the prostate grow. If it grows too large, it squeezes the urethra and and may slow or stop the flow of urine from the bladder to the penis. Prostate cancer usually grows slow and if left untreated can begin to invade tissues and cause damage. It may spread to other areas of the body where it can cause significant harm. Some forms of prostate cancer are aggressive and can spread quickly to other parts of the body.

Noone knows the exact causes of prostate cancer. However, the risk factors are: age, family history, race, certain prostate changes and diet.

Nutrition

Increased consumption of cruciferous vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cabbage,radish,etc) can provide some benefit in prostate cancer prevention and consumption of specidic foods, particularly those derived from tomatoes, have been shown to have a significant effect on the development and progression of prostate cancer.

Lycopene, a naturally occurring chemical found mostly in tomatoes, but also in watermelon, pink grapefruits, guava and papaya, has long been known as the most "prostate healthy" compounds available.