Prostate cancer is one of those diseases that often sneaks up on a person and becomes a life-threatening issue almost overnight. That's due to the unique nature of this disease and the way that it moves slowly through a person's body. Therefore, it is critical to go through screening processes for this disease to ensure that it doesn't spread out of control before symptoms start appearing.
Why Prostate Cancer Is So Dangerous
Prostate cancer is a particularly problematic type of cancer because it is often so slow-moving throughout the organ. Unlike other diseases, which may show symptoms very early, prostate tumors move so slowly that a person may not notice that they have symptoms for a very long time. As a result, they could end up with a massive tumor before they start feeling sick and end up in a tough situation.
Even worse, some tumors may have metastasized before they are detected — this means that they have moved to the bloodstream and other parts of the body. That situation is when most types of cancer become terminal. As a result, those who are at high risk for this disease — such as those with a genetic predisposition — should consider getting prostate cancer screening right away.
How Screening Helps
Prostate cancer screening is an essential step for those who are at high risk for this disease, such as older men and those with a family history of this disease. Screening helps to check for small changes in the body that may indicate a risk of this cancer. For example, testing may detect a slight abnormality in the prostate that could become cancerous if left untreated or unmanaged.
Screening also helps to detect cancer earlier by checking for this disease even if a person shows no symptoms. Since most people only get checked for cancer if they have visible signs of its development, this benefit means that an individual can get their prostate checked even if they feel fine. In this way, it is easier to detect potential cancer and to get early treatment started.
And in many cases, early treatment is the key to surviving this dangerous disease. When a tumor is tiny, it may be easier to remove via surgery or more likely to respond to less invasive treatments, like chemotherapy. And if the cancer must be cut out, removing smaller portions of the prostate helps to prevent lifelong side effects, such as struggles with managing bathroom needs.
Visit a medical center near you for more information on prostate cancer screenings.
