The prostate is a specific gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is the gland that helps to produce semen, which is the thick liquid that carries the sperm cells from the male’s body. The prostate itself is about the size of a large walnut, and is located just beneath the bladder.
Prostate cancer is now known as being the most commonly occurring cancer in men, particularly those over the age of 50, and it is obviously a very serious issue. The cancer itself runs a rather strange course, and it is often inactive even for years. Then, once it is actually activated, it tends to progress very slowly.
This is one positive factor about the cancer, is its slow growth, because if caught early enough, there is about a 90 percent success rate. However the biggest problem is just that – finding it in time, because the signs and symptoms are often very subtle or misleading.
Prostate Cancer Recurrence
A prostate cancer patient is considered as experiencing a prostate cancer recurrence if their cancer returns even after proper treatment. Prostate cancer recurrence is very common, and this is why taking the proper steps and being health conscious after the treatment is so important.
After prostate cancer treatment, you will have to return for various medical checkups, generally every few or months or so, this will be determined by your doctor. At each of these follow-up appointments there are several things that your physician will do, namely they will order a blood test to detect PSA levels.
PSA, or prostate specific antigen, is a particular protein that is produced by the cells of the prostate gland, and it is present in small quantities in the serum of normal men, and so a certain amount is healthy, however it is typically elevated in the presence of prostate cancer. This is why it is so important to have your PSA levels monitored regularly.
Prevention
Although there is no surefire way to completely avoid a prostate cancer recurrence, there are certain things that you can do in order to protect yourself as best as possible. Namely, you want to try to maintain as healthy a lifestyle as possible, and this means eating a healthy and nutritious diet, getting plenty of exercise, and stopping any bad habits such as smoking or excessive drinking.
By doing this, you will not only be avoiding a prostate cancer recurrence as much as possible but as well various other health ailments and conditions.