bladder cancer info

The breasts sit on the chest muscles that cover the ribs. Each breast is made of 15 to 20 lobes. Lobes contain many smaller lobules. Lobules contain groups of tiny glands that can produce milk. Milk flows from the lobules through thin tubes called ducts to the nipple. The nipple is in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. Fat fills the spaces between the lobules and ducts.

Breast cancer incidence is much higher in industrialised Western countries, whether in Europe or North America, than in developing countries. North American women have the highest incidence of breast cancer in the world. Among women in the U.S., breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second-most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer). Women in the U.S. have a 1 in 8 (12.5%) lifetime chance of developing invasive breast cancer and a 1 in 35 (3%) chance of breast cancer causing their death. In 2007, breast cancer was expected to cause 40,910 deaths in the U.S. (7% of cancer deaths; almost 2% of all deaths)

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. While the majority of new breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormality seen on a mammogram, a lump or change in consistency of the breast tissue can also be a warning sign of the disease. Heightened awareness of breast cancer risk in the past decades has led to an increase in the number of women undergoing mammography for screening, leading to detection of cancers in earlier stages and a resultant improvement in survival rates.

Breast cancer is the number one disease that women in the United States fear the most, and for compelling reasons. It is the leading cause of death among women between 40 and 55 years of age and is the second overall cause of death among women (exceeded only by lung cancer). Unfortunately, it is also on the rise worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, this year about 175,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and about 43,300 deaths from breast cancer will occur among women in the USA.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women in North America and Europe. Close to 200,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2001. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer. The lifetime risk of any particular woman getting breast cancer is about 1 in 8 although the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower at 1 in 28. Men are also at risk for development of breast cancer, although this risk is much lower than it is for women.

Breast cancer is more easily treated and often curable if it is found early. Monthly breast self-examinations should begin at age 20. Recommended screening methods include breast self-examination and mammography.

The most serious cancers are metastatic cancers. Metastasis means that the cancer has spread from the place where it started into other tissues distant from the original tumor site. The most common place for breast cancer to metastasize is into the lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone on the same side as the cancer. Other common sites of breast cancer metastasis are the brain, the bones, and the liver.

Death rates from breast cancer have been gradually declining and continue to decline. These decreases are likely due both to increased awareness and screening and improved treatment methods.

The purpose of this article is to describe very briefly the prostate gland; its functions and potential diseases associated with it.

General Prostate Cancer Information – about half the population has a prostate gland but how many people actually know what it is? What it does? And what conditions can affect the prostate?

The prostate is found in all males in the mammal category of the animal world, including humans. It makes up a part of the reproductive system of the male and is an exocrine gland. This means it secretes the fluid it makes into ducts. The prostates function in life is to produce, store and secrete a clear fluid during moments of orgasm. This fluid helps carry the sperm out of the body and makes up about one third of the volume expelled during ejaculation.

The prostate is located at the outlet of the bladder and surrounds the urethra (tube your urines passes through); it also sits against the outer wall of the rectum.

Disorders associated with the prostate

Amyloid

Normally affecting men who are more senior in age, Amyloid (known as Corpora amylacea) is a dense collection of calcified protein based matter that collects in the prostates ducts making it difficult for the prostate to release fluid.

This condition can also mean there are other underlying issues in the prostate region.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a build up of inflammation in the prostate, over time the inflammation can make the prostate swell in size causing the tubes carrying urine to become blocked making it difficult and painful to urinate, if urination is possible at all.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Similar to Prostatis, Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the name given to a condition where the prostate becomes enlarged, this is not caused by inflammation but can be a natural occurrence over time and mainly affects the older male population.

This condition can block the urinary tubes or stop urination being possible all together.

Prostate cancer

For you to possess prostate cancer information is critical to you if you are male and over 50. Prostate cancer is the most dangerous of all prostate problems and is the most common cancer affecting older men. Prostate cancer is also a condition that can kill quite easily; this is because the cancerous cells flourish and multiple out of control, moving into other part of the body like the bones and nearby internal tissue.

The most common symptoms associated with prostate cancer are that it can cause pain in the lower abdominal region during urination, difficulty urinating and cause a lack of ability to gain an erection. There are many other symptoms involved with prostate cancer, but they are more subtle.

Summary

It is commonly suggested that men who are more senior in age should have regular rectal exams from their doctor so the prostate can be checked. As mentioned earlier, the prostate sits against the outer wall of the rectum.

For those who are younger in age it is important that they are educated about the affects the prostate has on the body. If we can educate the younger generation it will mean that greater emphasis is given to finding a cure and make it easier for men to stop suffering in silence.

The prostate is a gland. It helps make semen, the fluid that contains sperm. The prostate surrounds the tube that carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body. A young man’s prostate is about the size of a walnut. It slowly grows larger with age. If it gets too large, it can cause problems. This is very common after age 50. The older men get, the more likely they are to have prostate trouble.

Prostate cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that results in the formation of a tumor in the prostate gland. Prostate, the walnut sized gland, is a part of the reproductive system which lies deep in the pelvis. It is located in front of the rectum and underneath the urinary bladder and surrounds the urethra, (the urine tube running from the bladder, through the prostate and the penis). It contains gland cells that produce some of the seminal fluid, which protects and nourishes sperm cells in semen and supports the ejaculatory ducts, or sperm tubes. The prostate continues to grow till a man reaches adulthood and is maintained after it reaches normal size as long as male hormones are produced.

The growth of prostate cells and the way the prostate gland works is dependent on the male sex hormone, testosterone, which is produced in the testicles.

Prostate cancer develops most frequently in men over fifty. This cancer can occur only in men, as the prostate is exclusively of the male reproductive tract. It is the most common type of cancer in men in the United States, where it is responsible for more male deaths than any other cancer, except lung cancer. However, many men who develop prostate cancer never have symptoms, undergo no therapy, and eventually die of other causes. Many factors, including genetics and diet, have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer.

NHL (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) is yet another common form of cancer. This refers to a the growth of a large group of cancers that affect the immunity system. The symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are those of fever and weight loss, a sure sign that the immunity system has been affected. This is a cancer that can affect any age group, and its treatment is completely dependent on the stage of detection of the cancer.

Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly. If prostate cancer is detected early — when it’s still confined to the prostate gland — you have a better chance of successful treatment.

Prostate cancer is found mainly in older men. As men age, the prostate may get bigger and block the urethra or bladder. This may cause difficulty in urination or can interfere with sexual function. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and although it is not cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it. The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or of other problems in the prostate may be similar to symptoms of prostate cancer.

Radical prostatectomy is a surgery to remove the whole prostate gland and the nearby lymph nodes. Most men who have this surgery are under general anesthesia (puts you into a sleep-like state). After the prostate gland is taken out, a catheter (a narrow rubber tube) is put through the penis into the bladder to carry urine out of the body until the area heals.