We destroy the myths about prostate cancer

Myth number 1. Patients with prostate cancer die, but not from him.

In fact, ill with prostate cancer every 6 th man, and die from it only every 35th. With some forms of cancer can really live for years, but we should not forget that prostate cancer - the second most common oncological disease deaths in men.

Myth number 2. Do not be screened because the doctors themselves argue about its effectiveness.

In fact, objective survey - to detect disease at an early stage when treatment is more effective. There are two types of surveys: a blood test for PSA content and finger examination of the rectum. Doctors do not dispute the need for both these surveys.

PSA, prostate specific antigen, normally found in blood in small quantities. The level of PSA usually rises with prostate cancer, as well as prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Like most tests, PSA test does not guarantee 100 percent accuracy of diagnosis. In some cases the survey is conducted using invasive methods (eg, biopsy of the prostate gland).

On the other hand, the results of the PSA test may be normal even in the presence of prostate cancer. Since 1990, when the PSA test was introduced into clinical practice, the death rate from prostate cancer decreased. However, not all doctors are sure that the PSA test is the cause of this decline.

The debate about the need to monitor the health of all men with PSA test conducted so far. Nevertheless, a survey for the presence of prostate cancer is recommended for men older than 50 years. If your close relatives (father, brother, son) had prostate cancer, should begin screened with 45. The question of costs to be screened or not, is decided individually.

Myth number 3. After removal of the prostate men become impotent.

Actually prostatectomy - an operation to remove the prostate cancer stricken. Sometimes this can be affected by the nerves that control erections. In the first months after surgery, most men face in varying degrees of erectile dysfunction. How long will the disorder depends on age, erections before surgery and type of surgical intervention.

Methods of operation, allowing to avoid damage to the nerves, reduces the risk of erectile dysfunction. If necessary, an erection can be sustained with injections into the penis and special adaptations.

Myth number 4. All men are incontinent after prostatectomy incontinence.

Actually incontinence - one of the major side effects of surgery to remove the prostate gland. For most men, it goes through a few weeks or months after the operation. According to statistics, over 5 years after surgery about 1 / 3 men celebrate stress incontinence of urine (leak urine when coughing, exercise, laughing or sneezing). Severe incontinence was observed in only 5% of cases.
The risk of incontinence is reduced if the operation is conducted in large cancer centers under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Rx Kentucky