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*The
prostate gland overview.
The prostate gland is part
of the male endocrine system. More
specifically it is necessary for his reproductive success.
It is located forward of the rectum aft of the bladder.
It surrounds the urethra and if enlarged it impedes the volume of
urine during urination. It is
normally about the size of a walnut.
The prostate manufactures
part of the of the seminal fluid which carries sperm during ejaculation
and the mixture of the two constitutes semen.
Male hormones make the prostate grow larger and are called
androgens. The testicles are
the main source of androgens including testosterone.
The adrenal gland also manufactures some testosterone.
Again an enlarged prostate
will restrict the flow of urine through the penis during elimination.
Prostate
cancer prevention
Prostate
cancer can sometimes be related to known risk factors.
These can be as follows:
AGE:
The risk increases as a man grows older
CHEMOPREVENTION:
The use of specific natural or man-made drugs, vitamins or other agents
to modify cancer growth.
DIET
AND LIFESTYLE: These
variables are currently under investigation although high fat diets are
associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.
HORMONAL
PREVENTION: Studies are
underway to determine the role of drugs that reduce the amount of male
hormone as preventive against prostate cancer.
RACE:
The risk of prostate cancer is highest among blacks, moderate
amongst caucasians, and least amongst native Japanese men.
PROSTATE
CANCER LINKED TO INFECTION
Scientist have discovered a gene that appears to play a role in the
development of prostate cancer. This
gene is also implicated in hardening of the arteries associated with
heart disease. Those
findings suggest that some prostate cancers and some heart disease may
begin with an infection and inflammation that results.
Substances called microphages are believed to protect against the
inflammatory damage resulting from those infections and protect against
the development of prostate cancer and perhaps heart disease.
Doctors
cannot reliably explain why one person suffers cancer and another does
not. Scientists, have,
however studied patterns in
the general population to draw some conclusions things and behaviors that
may increase the chances of our developing cancer.
Risk
factors are things that increase our chances of developing cancer.
Preventative factors are those things that reduce our chances of
developing cancer.
Some
risk factors can be avoided and some cannot.
Genetic inheritance cannot be avoided, for example, but smoking and
poor diet can. Prevention is avoidance
of risk factors and increasing the protective factors.
Talk to your physician about your choices.
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