About 80 percent of men who reach the age of 80 have prostate cancer. Men have traditionally been less likely to seek medical attention than women, especially for minor problems which often serve as warning signs for more serious underlying illness. In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly: most men will never know they have the condition.

Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself; most of the patients with this type of cancer can live for years without any problems. Prostate cancer is characterized by 'grade' and 'stage'; grade is given to indicate how quickly a cancer is growing -- the higher the grade, the more likely it is that the cancer will grow and spread rapidly and the size and extent of the tumor will determine its stage.

Men at higher risk for prostate cancer include African-American men older than 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium; the lowest number of cases occurs in Japanese men and those who do not eat meat who reach the age of 80. One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate at all. There are several symptoms to be aware of. There may be other symptoms not mentioned here.

Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch out for. One prostate cancer symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms.

A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal unusual cells. Another test usually used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is the digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by the doctor. There are several potential downsides to PSA testing; for example a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. There is a newer test called AMACR that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer.

Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes. Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to prostate cells. Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed.

Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Hormone manipulation is mainly used as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread.

If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician's office. In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure.

Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary. The approaches to treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and where you're going to begin.

Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation.

Because prostate cancer is a slow-growing disease, many men with this disease will die from other causes before they die from prostate cancer. Make sure to read everything you can get your hands on and mull it all over. It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available.