A Look At Common Misconceptions About Prostate Cancer
There are certain health problems that you only have to worry about if you are male, and prostate cancer is one of those health problems. Even though prostate cancer is really common for men, there is a lot of misinformation out there about the disease. To make sure you fully understand this condition as a man, it is best to get familiar with the true facts to remove any misconceptions you may have heard.
Misconception: Prostate cancer is only a concern for men who are over 65.
The average age of diagnosis for prostate cancer is around 66, but younger men can also be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Only about six out of every ten diagnoses occur in men who are over the age of 65; therefore, the rest are younger or under the age of 65. Even though the risks of prostate cancer grow with age, it is always wise to be mindful of the symptoms as a younger male because early diagnosis is key to seeing a successful outcome.
Misconception: Prostate cancer does not have any warning signs and that's why it's dangerous.
Prostate cancer has plenty of warning signs that all men should be watching for as they grow older. It is oftentimes assumed that prostate cancer is hard to detect because many men ignore the symptoms or relate their symptoms to other problems. A few of the major warning signs of prostate cancer include:
- Burning sensations during urination or difficulty urinating
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain in the lower abdomen or upper thighs
- Blood in the urine or semen
Misconception: Prostate cancer is always a terminal illness.
Being diagnosed with prostate cancer is not a definitive reason to believe your life is coming to an end. With modern medical technology, prostate cancer is a treatable illness. The five-year survival rate for men who have been diagnosed with regional prostate cancer is almost 100 percent and about 98 percent of the men who do get treatment are still living well after a full decade.
Misconception: Prostate cancer will always involve surgery.
Prostate cancer can have many factors that will affect what treatment plan is determined by your doctor. In some cases, prostate cancer is slow growing enough that surgery can be put off until later and the doctor will simply closely monitor the condition. Some men who are good candidates for chemotherapy or radiation will not have to have surgery at all.
For more information, reach out to a local prostate cancer clinic.
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