So what happens during a prostate screening test? There are two options that are used most frequently. The first test is a DRE or digital rectal exam. A medical professional, most often a doctor or nurse, will simply and gently probe inside the rectum (usually with a gloved finger) to feel the prostate gland.

While this may admittedly not be the most comfortable of exams, the discomfort is often surprisingly minimal and special lubricants are used to make things as easy as possible. Many men have said that fearing the pain was worst than the actual reality and that the discomfort was minimal. An experienced medical professional can often make this exam relatively stress-free.

A digital rectal exam generally takes a very short time but can give the doctor or nurse much information. Lumps, bumps or any abnormalities can often be felt. If this is the case (and prostate screening tests are conducted regularly), odds are high that any problems will be caught early. It is vital to remember this. Other conditions can be present and cancer is not an automatic conclusion.

Instead of a digital rectal exam, some men may prefer to have blood drawn for their prostate screening test. This is certainly another possible option and indeed may be chosen before a digital rectal exam, with the doctor’s approval. There is some controversy, however, as to whether a digital rectal exam or aPSA is more accurate. For men who fear the potential discomfort of digital rectal exams, a PSA may be the best option.

This test measures the level of PSA in the blood and all that is needed is a bit of blood drawn from the arm. PSA stands for Prostate specific antigen test. High levels of PSA may indicate prostate cancer. However, it is important to remember that other conditions can cause PSA levels to rise. False negatives can occur. Again, as with the digital rectal exam, it is important for men with high PSA levels not to panic. Often it can take more than one type of prostate screening test to determine if there is any cancer present.

Doctors are working on special, more accurate PSA tests that are even more detailed than the ones used now. However, these prostate screening tests are still in the research stage. They may become available in the next few years. Until then, regular PSA  tests and digital recal exams are still the best way to detect these cancers early.

Since many prostate cancers grow slowly, is it really necessary to get a prostate screening test? After all, even if cancer is present, many doctors will monitor the cancer and not start treatment. Some men can live normal lives without having to go through cancer treatment. The decision to get screened should be based on many factors, including family history, age, race (African Americans get prostate cancer more often than many other men) and risk factors. Most importantly, if and when a trusted family physician or medical professional feels it is time for a screening, it is best to heed the doctor’s advice.

So which vitamins, herbs and foods are most helpful for promoting prostate health? Many doctors have suggested Saw Palmetto as a possible aid and results have been very promising. Although the effects may not be immediate, men who use Saw Palmetto have reported less need to urinate frequently as well as relief from pain or discomfort while going to the bathroom. In many cases, their lives return to normal, with no hint of a prostate issue.

Dietary changes can also help with prostate health, along with nutritional supplements and vitamins. For unknown reasons, high fiber diets, particularly those low in fat, seem to alleviate prostate problems. Adding vitamins to the mix may boost the beneficial positive effects even more. Although every man is different and there may be variations (even when two men use the same products), the key to healthy prostate glands seems to lie with vitamins that help balance hormones, particularly testosterone. Levels of this hormone change with age and affect the prostate gland. Vitamin therapy can help this.

Zinc may be another supplement worth trying for prostate health. It is certainly worth asking one’s doctor or nutritionist about zinc therapy.  Zinc may help to shrink the prostate gland, bringing much relief. Other  vitamins which have been reported to help men with prostate problems – or keep problems from occurring in the first place – include Vitamins A and C, selenium and Vitamin E. Vitamin C is thought to help with general immune system problems and to help protect again prostate gland infections or inflammations. It also may be a mild diuretic and help with urinary issues.

An alternative to Vitamin C is lycopene, found in tomatoes and foods rich in Vitamin C. Lycopene may actually help prevent prostate cancer, making it a vitamin which definitely promotes prostate health. It may also help to slow down the progression of any cancer.  Another promising dietary aid rests in soybeans and soy products. Research indicates that cultures where soy and soybeans are eaten frequently have lower rates of prostate cancer death. So loading up on the temp eh, miso and other soy products could keep the prostate healthy and/or any cancers from developing and growing quickly.

When making dietary changes, think in terms of brightly colored foods. Tomatoes, broccoli, red and green peppers, and carrots are all examples of food which can help create a healthy immune system. When possible, try eating the foods uncooked, adding fiber to the diet. Broccoli is delicious dipped in a little salad dressing or tossed with a bit of mayo.

Once the dietary changes have been made, speak to a doctor or nutritionist about trying Saw Palmetto. If this doesn’t bring relief, try adding a different vitamin or nutritional supplement each week, monitoring the effect on the prostate gland. For some men, zinc or Saw Palmetto may be the solution. For others, a combination of vitamins, herbs and foods may help maximize prostate health.

Also, nearly every prostate cancer treatment option has side effects, even dietary changes. The final choice of therapy, of course, is up to the patient but there are some tips that can help make the decision easier. At no point should patients blindly follow medical advice. Instead, they should be active participants every step of the way, knowing fully the pros and cons of every option chosen. Never fail to ask questions of the doctor, including these: what are the survival rates for this type of prostate cancer treatment and my stage of the disease? Do I have any other health concerns to be considered? What side effects can I anticipate? What unusual or rare side effects could occur?

Being informed helps reduce anxiety. As for the treatment options, the only one with minimal to no side effects is called watchful waiting. This is an appropriate type of prostate cancer treatment for those with low PSA levels and no sign of advanced cancer. Tumors should not be large enough to be felt. If they are, this option may not be acceptable. While the risk of side effects is practically zero with watchful waiting, patients may have to visit the doctor’s office more often for monitoring and to make sure the disease has not progressed.

Depending on patient age, watchful waiting may be all that is necessary and a normal lifespan can occur. For more advanced cancer, a type of prostate cancer treatment called a prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) may be advised. Because of potential side effects, this option is best for those who are young or no older than their mid 70’s. It is also not advisable for those whose cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland or has involved the lymph nodes. Side effects include blood clots, strokes and other serious conditions. Anyone with a heart condition is generally discouraged from having a prostatectomy.

Radiation therapy is another type of prostate cancer treatment option. It is one of the most widely accepted and effective ways of dealing with the disease. A major advantage of radiation therapy is that it can be targeted to a very specific area of the cancer, killing those cells. Side effects are generally minimal and include tiredness, painful urination and skin irritation. However, compared to a prostatectomy, there are far less severe risks. Radiation treatment can consume a great deal of time, however, taking over a month of weekly visits, sometimes as often as 5 to 6 times per week. Happily, the success rate with this prostate cancer treatment is very high.

Hormone therapy is yet another choice and works to reduce the body’s production of testosterone. Without testosterone, the cancer will stop growing and it can be a very effective choice of treatment. There are many ways of suppressing testosterone, including a method which essentially results in castration. When one’s life is at stake, however, this may be the best choice available, especially if other methods have not worked well. Even so, hormone therapy does not get rid of the cancer but is generally used along with other prostate cancer treatment options. Side effects include immediate impotence, weight gain, appetite changes, breast enlargement and other unpleasant conditions. This is not a treatment to be taken lightly and patents should speak at length with their doctor before making this choice.

There are many other prostate cancer treatment options, each with their pros and cons. These include cyrotherapy, chemotherapy and brachytherapy. Cyrosurgery or cyrotherapy generally involved using very cold gases to freeze the cancer and usually requires only an overnight stay in the hospital or even outpatient treatment. It is best for early stage prostate cancer. Chemotherapy is generally used with other types of prostate cancer treatments have stopped working and the cancer is more advanced. Chemotherapy can cause significant side effects, including hair loss (which does not occur in all patients), mouth sores and other conditions.

With all the treatment options out there, the rate of survival and long-term remission or cure for prostate cancer has gone up. New treatments are being researched all the time and patients who take a pro-active stance, are informed and prepared for their treatments are likely to have good results.

It is important for those with cancer to ask their doctors about the specifics of each type of prostate cancer surgery. The basics of the various surgeries are listed below but the actual probability of a particular technique being useful depends on the stage of cancer found. For those facing prostate cancer surgery, here are some of the possibilities and what can be expected:

For best results during surgery, most patients should receive this treatment as soon as possible after being diagnosed, preferably while theirs is still an early stage cancer. This means that the cancer is (hopefully) still in the prostate, has not spread, reached the bones or affected the health of patients in any significant way. Age and underlying health conditions also have to be considered. A heavy smoker who also has trouble breathing will not have the same risk factors as a person with early stage prostate cancer but is otherwise in good health.

Although it is impossible to describe every type of prostate cancer surgery in detail in this article, the main choices include prostatectomies, cyrosurgeries, specialized radiation, ultrasound and lymphadenectomies. In a prostatectomy, the prostate gland and nearby areas may be taken out. If the lymph nodes have been affected, they may be removed as well. A hospital stay of several days is usually required. The good news? There is a very high recovery rate with this form of prostate cancer surgery, especially if used in early stage cancer. After this surgery, there may be a scan to determine if radiation therapy is needed.

Minimally invasive surgery may be an option as well and sometimes a watchful approach is taken, delaying surgery a bit. Cyosurgery is one type of less invasive surgery. With this technique, cancer cells are frozen. The risks and side effects are fewer and it is generally considered a preferable alternative to radiation. A hospital stay may not even be required. It has a very high cure rate, with over 95% of patients being cancer free for a year and many still without cancer after many years. This makes cryosurgery an excellent choice for some patients facing prostate cancer surgery. As noted, there are many other choices, including radiation, special ultrasounds and perhaps a lymphadenectomy.

No matter what type of surgery is chosen, patients should be sure to get information from their doctor. Questions should be asked and patients should not be intimidated or fearful of taking up the doctor’s time because their health and welfare depends on getting the proper information. If possible, get a second opinion. If they differ greatly, patients need to make sure that they understand each type of surgery and why the physicians thinks this is the best choice.

Ultimately, the patient has to feel comfortable with their choice and confident in their physician’s abilities. At the very least, doctors should take time to discuss the expected complications and side effects of prostate cancer surgery, recovery time, rate of success, number of surgeries the doctor has performed and the type of anesthesia to be used. If prostate cancer surgery options are limited by health insurance company plans, patients may want to find an experienced doctor who will perform the best surgery and still meet insurance requirements.

Early treatment can often cure this disease. Also, it helps to know that not all men are equally likely to get prostate cancer. Age and family history are major factors. Diet and lifestyle are also being examined by researchers.

Until advances in prostate cancer detection occur, however, all men should be aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer. In order to avoid needless worry, it is important to realize that many of the symptoms could be caused by other conditions, including minor ones. Err on the side of safety, however, if any of the potential signs of prostate cancer are noticed. If the disease is present, the symptoms will probably mean that the cancer has affected the prostate gland enough to cause swelling. This means that the cancer is no longer in the earliest stage and treatment is vital.

The first noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer may include a feeling of having to urinate often (particularly during the night). It may be harder to pass urine, either when starting or stopping. Trouble passing urine can be caused by other prostate conditions, including an enlarged prostate, so you shouldn’t panic  if these symptoms arise, but don’t put off seeking medical attention. Some men may complain of pain while urinating or even after having sex. Any blood in the urine is an  indication that you should seek medical help promptly.

More significant symptoms (those which could indicate a more advanced stage of cancer) include a continual pain in the pelvic areas, back and thighs. There may also be unexplained weight loss, fatigue and nausea. Again, these symptoms do not mean an individual has prostate cancer. But they should never be ignored. Why worry? Simply get proper medical care and put your mind at ease. Denial won’t make the symptoms go away and failing to seek treatment will allow prostate cancer to grow. Even if symptoms aren’t caused by prostate cancer, there are treatments for other conditions which may be present. It makes no sense to suffer, whether from prostate cancer symptoms or some other condition.

Since there aren’t usually early signs of prostate cancer, all men should be pro-active and know which symptoms warrant a call to the doctor. There are also tests which can help detect this disease before symptoms are even detected. In addition to knowing the symptoms of prostate cancer, regular check-ups with a family physician are vital to help catch this disease.

A simple, although sometimes uncomfortable, rectal exam in the doctor’s office may catch the first signs of prostate cancer. The test is also known as a DRE or digital rectal exam. Another routine test is a PSA test (PSA stands for prostate specific antigen). A pitfall of the PSA test is the potential of a false negative, especially if there is an infection in the prostate.  But if individuals realize that false negatives can occur, they can relax and not immediately assume the worst while waiting for the results.

Finally, controlling risk factors may reduce your chances of developing prostate cancer. A healthy diet and regular exercise can be beneficial. High fiber diets may also help lessen the risk of getting any type of cancer.

Even so, only about 32,000 men actually die of the disease, most of those with advanced prostate cancer. These figures prove that a diagnosis of cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence or even reduce life expectancy. There are so many variables that can affect the life expectancy of men with this cancer. Among those variables are type of treatment chosen, age, the stage of cancer (from early to late stage). Family history can even be a vital factor. Weight and diet are significant variables. Prostate cancer survival is dependent on all of these factors.

For those with early stage cancer, complete cure and a normal life expectancy are possible. The catch here of course is that early stage prostate cancer can be hard to detect. Even if tests come back positive, many doctors take a watchful stance. This is because early stage prostate cancer can grow very slowly. If a patient is young, it may be necessary to eventually seek treatment. But an older patient with a very slow growing cancer may have time to wait, never need significant treatment and still have a normal life span.

One tool that is used to assess how quickly the cancer grows is called the Gleason Grade or Score and it is used by cancer specialists, including pathologists, to determine how quickly prostate cancer is growing. Early stage cancer, those within the prostate, have the best chances for cure and normal life expectancy. Extracapsular cancers have spread beyond the prostate and later stage cancers have probably spread to the lymph nodes, making prognosis for a normal lifespan much lower.

The good news is that men who have localized prostate cancer (not outside the prostate gland) have a survival rate of 100%  for the next five years – and, possibly, a normal lifespan. Even with more advanced types of prostate cancer, there are variables that can affect mortality rates. Stress reduction, dietary changes, exercise, being part of support groups and even staying on top of the newest research and medical trials can make a huge difference.

Factors beyond control include age, race, stage of cancer and how quickly it is growing – and more. However, online support groups can link men with others who are finding and testing new ways to expandt their life expectancy. Many charts and tables also exist online, some of which can make it seem like a patient’s life expectancy is very low for certain types of prostate cancer. None of these should keep patients from being pro-active and taking a positive stance in fighting prostate cancer. New treatments are being developed daily, and prostate cancer survival are rising offering hope to men in every stage of the disease.