Prostate Cancer
Apart from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most frequent form of cancer found in men of the United States of America. Prostate cancer is not easy to detect at the early stages and this is why it can be lethal. Among the risk factors for prostate cancer, there are age, ethnicity and race, lifestyle, genetics and family history, geographical location, diet and weight, sexuality, vasectomy, and smoking. In some cases, prostate cancer can be treated and survived. Treatments for prostate cancer depend on the stage and other factors of the disease and include surgery, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, vaccine treatment, radiation therapy or watchful waiting.
Prostate cancer is very well-spread in the United States. The statistics for this disease are very disturbing. According to the data of the American Cancer Society, approximately 220 800 new cases of prostate cases will be identified, the number of deaths from prostate cancer is estimated at about 27 540 (What are the key statistics about prostate cancer? 2015). In other words, out of seven men, one will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in his life.
Prostate cancer is called that way because it affects the prostate gland that is responsible for producing fluids that compose a part of a man’s semen (Prostate Cancer, n. d.). The gland is located in front of the rectum just underneath the bladder and around the urethra – the canal for passing urine and semen. This type of cancer is known for its very slow development. Many patients affected by the disease are older than 65, and often their cancer does not turn out to be the cause of their deaths. Yet, in some cases, even timely finding and treatment of this kind of cancer does not improve men’s health. Besides, the symptoms of this disease typically do not appear at the early stages this is why it is very hard to diagnose. The advanced stages of prostate cancer are accompanied by such symptoms and signs as difficulties during urination, discomfort in the area of the pelvis, erectile dysfunction, blood in semen, slower stream of urine (Symptoms, 2015).
As to the risk factors and populations in reference to prostate cancer, the most common patients with this disease are of African-American and Caribbean origin. Besides, the rates of death from prostate cancer are higher for African-American men than for white ones. High-fat diets rich in dairy products and red meat are said to increase the risk of prostate cancer, the same goes for obesity. In fact, extremely overweight men danger of having more severe cases of prostate cancer and an increased possibility of dying from it. Besides, prostate cancer often runs in families, which means that if a man has a father or a brother suffering from this disease maximizes the risk for an individual of developing it as well by over 50%. Geographically, the majority of cases of this disease are found in such regions of the planet as the Caribbean Islands, Australia, Northwestern Europe, and North America (What are the risk factors for prostate cancer? 2015). At the same time, it is not as common in South and Central America, Asia and Africa. Finally, the age factor is one of the most reliable aspects of prostate cancer statistics. This disease is very rare among men who are younger than 40, yet after an individual turns 50 his risk of developing prostate cancer increases dramatically (What are the risk factors for prostate cancer? 2015). As for the men who are older than 65, over 60 % of them are diagnosed with this disease.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is defined as a man’s inability to get and maintain an erection firm and long enough for having sex (Erectile dysfunction, 2015). This condition is also referred to as impotence. When it comes to difficulty getting erections, every man should know that having such a problem can temporarily affect everyone, but it only is treated as serious when it is an ongoing dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction may occur because of two main reasons – medical and psychological. The former cause affects the majority of all cases of erectile dysfunction (70%). Impotence may appear temporarily caused by such factors as excessive consumption of alcohol, tiredness and stress (Krucik, 2015). This condition is reported by men of all ages, but it is rather rare for men younger than 40. Doctors argue that stress is the most frequent cause of erectile dysfunction in middle-aged males (Krucik, 2015). Atherosclerosis represents another very common source of erectile dysfunction. This condition stands for the damage of blood vessels that deliver the flow of blood into the penis. Since the vessels become too narrow, the blood flow weakens and slows down, as a result, the process of getting and holding an erection is accompanied by complications. The other physical causes of erectile dysfunction in older males are heavy smoking, pelvic trauma, kidney and thyroid problems, nerve damage, and diabetes (Krucik, 2015).
Psychologically, impotence may occur due to fatigue when a person works too much or under a lot of pressure. It also can appear during particularly stressful periods of life connected to a lot of nervousness or depression. In this case, erectile dysfunction turns into a vicious circle because when a man finds out he has erection problems, it adds to his depression and stress experienced in day-to-day life, and affects his self-esteem and confidence. As a result, the dysfunction may last longer or become worse. Men are often ashamed to report this problem; this is why many cases of impotence are reported when they become advanced.
Moreover, erectile dysfunction may be caused by other medical conditions, and, in this case, the doctor will have to conduct a proper examination including blood and urine test, possibly ultrasound and ECG. To treat impotence the doctor may prescribe several kinds of medications such as oral medications designed to increase the blood flow and help a patient maintain his erection long enough. Other options for treatment are mechanical solutions such as penis implants and pumps. This condition can be successfully addressed at any age; the treatment alters depending on the patient overall health status and the causes of his dysfunction (Erectile Dysfunction Health Center, 2015).
In conclusion, among the factors increasing the risk of developing erectile dysfunction are smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol. Age is another important factor because as a man becomes older his testosterone level drops and results in lower sex drive and weaker libido. Erectile dysfunction may also be caused by strong medications such as antidepressants and an increased level of distress in the everyday life. Impotence is one of the most feared problems for every man, yet assessed and addressed in time it may be easily averted.
Reference List
Erectile dysfunction. (2015). Web.
Erectile Dysfunction Health Center. (2015). Web.
Krucik, G. (2015). What causes erectile dysfunction? 23 possible conditions. Web.
Prostate Cancer. (n. d.). Web.
Symptoms. (2015). Web.
What are the key statistics about prostate cancer? (2015). Web.
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer? (2015). Web.