Prostate

The prostate is a gland, the average size of a chestnut, positioned in the reservoir behind the pubic bone, below the bladder, in front of the rectum and it surrounds the urethra above the urethral sphincter. It consists of glands, muscle and fibrous tissue. The gland is covered by a membrane called the prostatic capsule. It is a gland that plays an important role in fertility and in the mechanism of ejaculation. The prostate produces prostate secretion which is essential for the survival of spermatozoa, and it is a key component of seminal fluid. It also contributes in the mechanism of ejaculation, allowing the emission of seminal fluid.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer has a high incidence and a long latency period, both in the development and progression of the disease. There are several known risk factors for the development of prostate cancer, including age, geographic area, and race. There are also precancerous lesions that can be diagnosed and followed. In the majority of men with pre-existing microfocal disease, the growth of prostate cancer is inhibited, while in some men its growth is stimulated. It seems very likely that these differences are only rarely due to genetic factors. Studies conducted on immigrants in the United States from countries with a low incidence of prostate cancer, such as Japan and China, show that the incidence of prostate cancer increases from 3 to 7 times, indicating that environmental factors are detrimental key in the development of the disease.

Among the environmental factors considered in the development of prostate cancer, nutrition is suspected to play a greater role. In north America and northern Europe, obesity and diet with high content of animal fats are very common, while in Asia the diet is high in fiber and soy protein, which contains phytoestrogens, and low in animal fats.

Diagnosis PSA tests

These are blood tests that control the levels of a protein called prostate specific antigen (Psa). The PSA test helps early detection of prostate cancer and should be done annually together with the Digital-Rectal exploration of the Prostate. It is not explicitly done to detect the cancer but for the prostate, because it can raise in the course of benign prostatic hypertrophy and in the course of prostatitis. Ultimately the Urologist shoud clarify when the PSA is suspicious for cancer.

Early diagnosis and prevention

Even though you cannot predict or prevent the onset of prostate cancer, you can take steps to prevent the progression of the disease. For men over 40 years of age it is crucial to undergo a prostate examination every year. Early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer carried out in time increases the chance of recovery. In some countries, screening of prostate cancer represents a standard of health policy and preventing rather than curing the disease is the ideal target. Since it is not possible to have a more specific screening for those men actually at risk of cancer and death from prostate cancer, in developed countries, it would be reasonable if all men, from 45 years onwards, began annual prostate checks by performing at least 1 Digital-Rectal exploration of the prostate (DRE), PSA test (Prostate specific antigen) and the trans-rectal Ultrasound Prostatic required by the Urologist every 2-3 years.