The prostate is a gland within a male's reproductive system that surrounds the urethra, which empties the bladder of urine. Starting at age 50 (or earlier if an individual is at higher risk), men should have an annual DRE or Digital Rectal Exam and a PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen test. African American men or men with a history of prostate cancer in their …show more content…
In the case where prostate cancer is detected and has reached advanced stages and/or has spread to other portions of the body, then treatment often involves strategies implemented to try to slow the progress of the disease as much as possible. This may include hormone therapy to lower testosterone levels (the male hormone testosterone provides the cancer with the means to thrive), chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Early detection of prostate cancer is often a key factor in the prostate cancer treatment options an individual may have open to him, as well as the chance for survival or cure. One of the problems in detection of the disease is that men who have it may not experience symptoms or problems prior to the disease reaching a critical point. However, if an individual experiences some of the warning signs of prostate cancer including frequent urination, a weak stream of urine, strain or difficulty urinating, or a feeling that the bladder does not completely empty during urination, a prostate exam should be performed