Prostate Cancer Sioux City, IA | Siouxland Urology North Sioux City

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder in men. It produces fluid that nourishes and protects sperm.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate start to grow out of control. Malignant tumors then form from these abnormal cells.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of prostate cancer. But other forms like small cell carcinomas and sarcomas can also develop.

Who is at Risk for Prostate Cancer?

Some factors that raise a man’s risk of prostate cancer include:

Age – Risk increases after age 50
Family history – Having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles your risk
Race – African American men have a higher risk
Obesity
COVID-19 infection

Recognizing the Signs of Prostate Cancer

In its early stages, prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. But some possible signs to look out for include:

Frequent or difficult urination
Weak urine stream or flow
Blood in urine or semen
Pelvic pain or lower back pain
Erectile dysfunction

Getting Tested for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is often detected through screening tests before any symptoms develop. Important tests include:

Screens for high levels of prostate-specific antigen.

Checks for abnormalities in the prostate.

Takes a sample of prostate tissue to analyze.

If cancer is suspected, your doctor may order imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan to get a closer look at the prostate.

Treating Prostate Cancer

Early prostate cancer usually has several good treatment options:

Careful monitoring without immediate treatment.

Removing the prostate gland.

Using radiation to destroy cancer cells.

Blocking hormones like testosterone that help cancer grow.

Using anticancer drugs.

More advanced prostate cancer may also be treated with immunotherapy or cryotherapy.

Living with Prostate Cancer

Even during and after treatment, a few things can help manage life with prostate cancer:

Keep up with follow-up appointments to monitor for recurrence
Join a support group to connect with others facing the same journey
Look into clinical trials testing new treatments
Work closely with your care team to manage side effects and quality of life

The key is being proactive and asking your doctor questions every step of the way. With an early diagnosis and proper treatment, prostate cancer can often be cured.

Prostate Cancer