Thursday, September 9, 2010

Prostate Cancer Myths

Myth #1. Diseased with prostate cancer die but not from it

In fact, every sixth man diseases with prostate cancer, but dies of it only every thirty fifth man. There is possible to live with some forms of cancer for years, but do not forget that prostate cancer is a second oncologic male disease with fatal cases.

Myth #2. There is no need to undergo examination because doctors do quarrel about its effectiveness

In fact, the main aim of examination is to detect disease at early stages. There are two kinds of examinations: blood test on Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination. Doctors do not quarrel the necessity of both those examinations.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) normally is detected in blood in small amounts. The level of PSA usually raises when prostate cancer, and also when prostatitis and innocent hyperplasia of prostate. As most of analysis, PSA-test does not guarantee 100% diagnostic accuracy. In some cases invasive methods are used for examination (prostate biopsy).

On the other side, results of PSA can be normal even when prostate cancer. Since 1990, when PSA was introduced in clinical practice, mortality from prostate cancer is lowered. However, some doctors are not sure that PSA is the reason of that.

Quarrels about necessity of men health examination with PSA still take place. However, the examinations to detect prostate cancer are recommended for men over 50. If your nearest relatives (father, brother, uncle) were diseased with prostate cancer, you should start examinations at 45. Is it worth or not is a personal question.

Myth #3. After prostate removal a man becomes impotent

In fact, prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove prostate gland affected with cancer. Sometimes during this operation nerves controlling erection can be affected. After operation most of men face with such a problem as erectile dysfunction. How long problems will last depend on the man's age, erection before operation and on kind of surgical intervention.

The operation allowing to avoid nerves damage lowers risk of erectile dysfunction progress. If necessary, it is possible to keep erection by using penile injections and special devices.

Myth #4. Men after prostatectomy suffer from uroclepsia

The main side effect of prostatectomy is uroclepsia. In most men it occurs after several weeks or months after operation. According to statistics, in 5 years after surgical intercourse about 1/3 of men suffer from high-stress uroclepsia (urine leak when coughing, physical exercises, laughing or sneezing). Only in 5% of cases was registered a serious uroclepsia.

Risk of uroclepsia is lowered when the operation in performed in big oncologic centers under the supervision of qualified specialists.

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