Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to prostate cancer.
- Prostate cancer generally does not produce symptoms until it is well-advanced. For this reason, annual screenings are important for men beginning at age 50 (or age 40 for men at higher risk).
- Regular digital rectal examination and PSA tests can detect prostate cancer in its earliest and most successfully treated stages.
- Treatment options include "
watchful waiting " for early-stage prostate cancer,radiation therapy ,chemotherapy , and surgery to remove the prostate. - Two complications of prostate cancer treatment are urinary incontinence and
impotence , both of which may be helped through medication and other means. - Prostate cancer detected early is quite curable.
- Prostate cancer is generally slow growing and may need minimal treatment in older men; however, it requires aggressive treatment in younger men.
