Cancer of the Prostate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Cancer of the Prostate - Essay Example Also, it is important to discuss the psychological aspect of the lives of men with this condition. This section will touch on the cognitive functions and emotions of the person regarding his cancer. In addition to those, it would be really helpful to tackle the drugs which are said to have effects on this cancer. Related to the medical aspect of the topic of prostate cancer is the surgery and other medical interventions done in order to alleviate the condition of the patients. It would also be worthwhile talking about any risk factors which could be present alongside different medical and other nature of treatments. It is also appropriate to tackle the process after treatment which includes after-treatment therapy and the corresponding exercise and diet for the patients. The prostate gland of the male reproductive system is located below the urinary bladder. The prostate marks the first part of the urethra. It is composed of 30-50 glands with smooth muscle tissue in between them. The prostate secretes a milky substance which is released at the same time that semen is ejaculated. (MedicineNet.com, 2007) This is characterized by abnormal growth of cells in the prostate gland. This cancer progresses very slowly. This disease can be terminal, many men die because of prostate cancer but many also die because of other health effects of this cancer (McKesson Health Solution, 2006). Figures and statistics: who are affected In the United Kingdom, prostate cancer cases constitute almost a quarter of the male cancer cases. Annually, approximately 32,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with this cancer and almost 30% of these die (Hicks, 2007). It is termed as the most common malignancy of the male urinary tract (Robert-Koch-Institut, n.d). This cancer is more common to older men and to those who are genetically linked to a person with prostate cancer (Hicks, 2007). In general, 20% of prostate cancer patients are in their 50s while 70% are in their 70s (Brawn, Kuhl, Speights, Johnson & Lind,1995). Also, men from western countries, especially those in the Scandinavian region and those with African-Caribbean or African-American blood have higher risks of having prostate cancer (Hicks, 2007). Pathology In relation to the individuals affected by prostate cancer, it can be noted that men of African descent more commonly have high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) (Brawn, Kuhl, Speights, Johnson & Lind,1995). There are low chances of having prostate cancer if the individual has undergone pre-pubertal castration and also for people with liver cirrhosis or hyperestrogenism. It should be noted that prostate cancer is not at all related to sexually transmitted diseases. Also, it is not due to the effects of smoking. Nodular hyperplasia is not related to prostate cancer. (Brawn, Kuhl, Speights, Johnson & Lind,1995) Prostate cancer secretes ten times the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of the normal prostate. The tumours are adenocarcinomas or described as glandular structures originating from glandualar tissue (Dorland's Medical Dictionary, 2007). In cases of prostate cancer, there is a significant arise in the posterior part of the prostate