Prostate Cancer Survival

Prostate cancer survival is completely possible with early detection. Similar to many other cancers such as breast cancer or cervical cancer, the chances of a 100 percent recovery are highest when the cancer is detected very early, before the cancer has had the opportunity to spread to lymph nodes and other organs. Many men find that they are able to beat prostate cancer without surgery when diagnosed early.

There are two tests that are used to determine the presence of prostate cancer, and they are the digital rectal exam and the PSA test, which measures the levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Both tests cannot distinguish between benign and malignant cancers, though, which means a biopsy or further testing will be necessary to determine if a growth is cancerous. Men who have prostate cancer in their families should begin getting tested annually for prostate cancer as early as age 35.

Again, early detection is the key to fighting cancer. When prostate cancer is in its early stages, radiation therapy may be all that is necessary to shrink the tumor and destroy the cancer cells. Some men may want to combine radiation therapy with hormone therapy, by taking drugs that decrease the amount of testosterone in the body. Side effects of hormone therapy may include temporary impotence (while taking the drugs), enlarged breasts, and menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and difficulty sleeping. Some men find that they are willing to endure these possible side effects if it means avoiding surgery and destroying the tumor.

Prostate Cancer Survival Is High with Early Detection

Too many men lose the battle to prostate cancer when they do not get diagnosed until the cancer has spread to other organs in the body. At the first sign that something is amiss, such as painful urination or ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen, and hip, thigh, and lower back pain, you need need to seek medical attention. Getting help quickly is the key to prostate cancer survival.