Prostate cancer occurs in a man's prostate and is one of the most common types of cancers among men. The prostate is the gland that produces seminal fluid. It is not clear what exactly causes prostate cancer, just that it begins when abnormal cells in the prostate begin to divide rapidly. Some of the known risk factors that increase the chances of a person developing prostate cancer are having a family history of prostate or breast cancer, old age, and obesity. African- American men are also more likely to develop prostate cancer, although it is not known why.

　　

Important Facts Related To Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the world among men and the fourth most common in total worldwide. Prostate cancer accounts for around 8% of new cancer cases among men and 15% of new cancer in total worldwide. Of prostate cancer cases worldwide, 68% occurs in more developed countries around the world. Some of the reasons for why men in developed countries are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer include: 1) increased availability of screening for prostate-specific antigen in men who have not shown signs of prostate cancer; 2) better medical care; 3) The fact they people are more likely to live to advanced ages or be obese (which are both major risk factors). Worldwide prostate cancer acts as the 5th leading cause of mortality among men, accounting for around 6.6% of total deaths.

　　

Treatment Of Prostate Cancer

The treatments that someone who has to undergo for prostate cancer varies depending on how severe the cancer is and how much it has progressed. If diagnosed early enough then a doctor may just recommend active surveillance in which regular blood tests, rectal exams, and even biopsies may be performed to monitor the disease. If the cancer is progressing then other, more extreme treatment option are taken. These can include external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy (internal radiation), various hormone therapies, cryosurgery (freezing prostate tissue), chemotherapy and biological therapy. Depending on what stage a person's prostate cancer is at and what a person's doctor recommends will decide what treatment or treatments are done.