Prostate cancer is the second main cause of death in men. This issue pushed Dr. Koushik Shaw and the Austin Urology Institute, along with Erin Cargile of KXAN News Today to promote prevention tips and to explain the symptoms of prostate cancer. This is especially that September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the symptoms of the disease include frequent urination (especially at night), difficulty in urination or in holding back urine, weak or interrupted urine flow, painful or burning urination, difficulty in having an erection, painful ejaculation and the presence of blood in urine or semen.
However, Dr. Shaw said that prostate cancer is a silent killer. Its symptoms only surface when the cancer has reached a terminal stage or has spread to the rest of the body In fact, there are some cases where those that had the disease felt no symptoms at all.
This is why he strongly recommends men, especially those who are beyond the age of 50, to see their doctors regularly.He advises that a blood test and a rectal examination at least once in every two years will be helpful in detecting and even eliminating the disease.
There is almost 90 to 100 percent cure rate if prostate cancer is caught early.The case will, however, be different if the cancer has lingered for quite sometime.
Countries like Canada, Australia are also celebrating September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. In Canada, people will hold a flag raising ceremony and will be illuminated with blue lighting, as a sign of their support and reinforcement of the celebration. In Australia, different groups and organizations will hold a fundraising event for the prostate cancer awareness month. The proceeds of the fundraisers will be given to prostate cancer victims.