Prostate Cancer Stages

Prostate cancer is like any other form of cancer in that it will progress if left unchecked. While my goal is to catch it before any serious damage is done, the differences between the stages of prostate cancer are still worth knowing. There are four known stages, and in this article I will discuss the various differences between each.

Stage I

At its earliest phase, prostate cancer is actually quite difficult to detect. This is due primarily to it being microscopic in size, and unable to be felt during a digital rectal exam or imaging. In this stage, a needle biopsy can discover the existence of the cancerous cells, but they will only be found within the prostate, as they have not had the chance to move beyond.

Stage II

Unlike the previous stage, this one can be discovered more easily as tumors are often formed in the prostate. The cancer is still found only within the prostate, but the growth will have gotten larger. While there are two different versions of stage II prostate cancer, this is still a good stage for early treatment.

Stage III

Prostate cancer that advances to stage III is noted because it's the point at which the cancerous cells have moved outside of the prostate gland. Surrounding lymph nodes and other parts will likely not have been affected, but it might have spread to the seminal vesicles. Treatment in stage III is more difficult because of how much the cancer might have spread. It's not uncommon for some cancerous cells to remain after treatment, but if caught early enough this can be avoided.

Stage IV

Lastly, there is stage IV. At this point the cancerous cells will have advanced beyond the prostate and into the bladder, rectum, lymph nodes, or other organs. While prostate cancer that has advanced to this point is very hard to remove completely, there are plenty of treatments that are available that can help to prolong life and reduce symptoms. 

I hope that by reading about these various stages, you've seen the importance of having your prostate checked at regular periods. The earlier that prostate cancer is discovered, the earlier that it can be treated, and therefore more easily removed. There are instances of recurring cancer, but using certain procedures, there is less of a chance of this.

Foods That Help Prevent Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer that affects men. I tell my patients that foods containing high levels of sugars and fat are said to the part of the reason why many men suffer from prostate cancer. This shows that there are foods that may just help keep you from this kind of cancer in the future.

Broccoli

It is a fact that men who eat large amounts of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli have lower chances of developing prostate cancer. It is speculated that sulforaphane, a phytochemical in this vegetable, kills cancerous cells.

Tomatoes

They contain lycopene which is an important anti-oxidant in the prevention of prostate cancer. A research carried out shows that men who eat lots of cooked and raw tomatoes have lesser chances of developing this cancer than men who do not eat them.

Green Tea

This tea is part of many Asian diets. Men from Asiatic countries do not suffer from prostate cancer as much as American men do. While there is no evidence to tie green tea to these statistics, the tea definitely contains compounds which are crucial in the prevention of this cancer.

Soybeans and Legumes

Legumes contain phytoestrogens which have cancer fighting ability. They are shown to prevent the growth of tumours in cancerous cells.

Pomegranate Juice

Cancer is related to oxidative stress. Pomegranate is an anti-oxidant which has health benefits in the event that prostate cancer is to be prevented.

Fish

Fish contains polyunsaturated fats which have been shown to counter the growth of cancerous cells.

By adhering to a diet that has a good amount of these foods, you are lowering your risk of getting prostate cancer. I cannot stress to my patients how important it is to always discuss diet changes with a doctor. Altering diet when taking medications can result in adverse and unwanted effects.