|
Prostate Cancer (PSA)
Information
|
|
Table of Contents
Additional Information
|
| What is the
Prostate?: The Prostate is the sex gland in men. |
| New Cases: An estimated 179,300 new cases in the US during 1999. Prostate cancer incidence rates remain significantly higher in African-American men than in white men. Between 1989 and 1992, prostate cancer incidence rates increased dramatically, probably due to earlier diagnosis in men without any symptoms, by increased use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test screenings. Between 1993 and 1995, prostate cancer incidence rates declined, primarily among white men. |
|
Deaths: An estimated 37,000 deaths in 1999, the second leading cause of cancer death in men. During 1991-1995, prostate cancer mortality rates declined significantly (–1.6% per year). Like the decreasing trends in incidence, the trends in mortality occurred primarily among white men. Mortality rates in African-American men remain more than twice as high as rates in white men.
|
|
Signs and Symptoms: Weak or interrupted urine flow; inability to urinate, or difficulty starting or stopping the urine flow; the need to urinate frequently, especially at night; blood in the urine; pain or burning on urination; continuing pain in lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs. Most of these symptoms are nonspecific and may be similar to those caused by benign conditions such as infection or prostate enlargement.
|
|
Risk Factors: The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age; more than 75% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65. African Americans have the highest prostate cancer incidence rates in the world; the disease is common in North America and Northwestern Europe and is rare in Asia, Africa, and South America. Recent genetic studies suggest that an inherited predisposition may be responsible for 5%-10% of prostate cancers. International studies suggest that dietary fat may also be a factor.
|
|
Early Detection: Men age 50 and older who have at least a 10-year life expectancy should talk with their health care professional about having a digital rectal exam of the prostate gland and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test every year.
|
| Men who are at high risk for prostate cancer (African Americans or men who have a history of prostate cancer in close family members) should consider beginning these tests at an earlier age. |
| Treatment: Depending on age, stage of the cancer, and other medical conditions of the patient, surgery and radiation should be discussed with the patient’s physicians. Hormones and chemotherapy or combinations of these options might be considered for metastatic disease. Hormone treatment may control prostate cancer for long periods by shrinking the size of the tumor, thus relieving pain. Careful observation without immediate active treatment (“watchful waiting”) may be appropriate, particularly for older individuals with low-grade and/or early stage tumors. |
| Survival: Sixty percent of all prostate cancers are discovered while still localized; the 5-year relative survival rate for patients whose tumors are diagnosed at this stage is 100%. Over the past 20 years, the survival rate for all stages combined has increased from 67% to 93%. Survival after a diagnosis of prostate cancer continues to decline beyond five years. According to the most recent data, 68% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer survive 10 years and 52% survive 15 years. |
| Early detection is the key to survival
of prostate cancer! |
|
Call today for more information
1.800.713.3301
Contact Us
Cholestcheck Corp.
PO Box 1985
Spartanburg, SC 29304
|
| Home
- Customer Information - Contact
Us - Screening Services
- Employment - About
Us
|
