Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer happens when some cells in a small gland in the boy called the prostate grow out of control until they become harmful. The prostate is a small gland that makes a part of the fluid that helps to make up semen, which is what comes out of a man's penis when he ejaculates.
Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and may not even cause any problems for many years. But in some cases, it can start growing quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
To find out if someone has prostate cancer, a doctor will usually do a physical exam, ask about any symptoms, and do some tests. One of the tests is called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which measures the amount of a certain protein (PSA) in the blood. High levels of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other things like an enlarged prostate or an infection.
If a doctor thinks someone might have prostate cancer, they might do a biopsy, which is when they take a small sample of tissue from the prostate and examine it under a microscope.
Treatment for prostate cancer depends on a lot of things, like how fast it's growing, how far it's spread, and the person's overall health. Some people with prostate cancer might not need treatment right away, but others might need surgery, radiation therapy, or medicine to help slow down or kill the cancer cells.
It's important for men to talk to their doctors about prostate cancer and get regular check-ups, especially if they're over 50 years old or have a family history of prostate cancer. By catching prostate cancer early and treating it, many men are able to live a long and healthy life.
Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and may not even cause any problems for many years. But in some cases, it can start growing quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
To find out if someone has prostate cancer, a doctor will usually do a physical exam, ask about any symptoms, and do some tests. One of the tests is called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which measures the amount of a certain protein (PSA) in the blood. High levels of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other things like an enlarged prostate or an infection.
If a doctor thinks someone might have prostate cancer, they might do a biopsy, which is when they take a small sample of tissue from the prostate and examine it under a microscope.
Treatment for prostate cancer depends on a lot of things, like how fast it's growing, how far it's spread, and the person's overall health. Some people with prostate cancer might not need treatment right away, but others might need surgery, radiation therapy, or medicine to help slow down or kill the cancer cells.
It's important for men to talk to their doctors about prostate cancer and get regular check-ups, especially if they're over 50 years old or have a family history of prostate cancer. By catching prostate cancer early and treating it, many men are able to live a long and healthy life.