A "Quality of Life" message regarding Prostate Cancer
I recently underwent surgery for removal of a cancerous prostate. The surgery was 100% successful, and her is why:
Every year for several years I have had a simple blood test included with my physical. The test is called a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. It is an early-warning test for the presence of cancer in the prostate. My test results changed, and the cancer was caught at a very early stage. Because of that, surgery - only 1 of 5 possible treatments for prostate cancer - the cancer was removed and no cells had spread through the lymph system to other parts of the body.
There are 2 things to know about prostate cancer: 1. If every male lives long enough, he has a high probability of contracting prostate cancer. 2. If you have to have cancer, prostate cancer is definitely the one you want. It is very slow-growing and not aggressive. If not caught and treated early, however, it can be fatal. There really are no symptoms in the early-growth stage. By the time symptoms show up, there has been a spread, and the patient is in trouble.
I urge every male over the age of 50 to have the PSA test on a regular basis - preferably, as parat of an annual physical exam. Your life could depend on it.