prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer
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Prostate Cancer
Cancer is a severe disease that attributes to a high percent of the mortality rates across the globe. Prostate cancer is considered to be the third type of cancer leading to death cases particularly in the United States. Prostate cancer is a type of cancer which is common in men. It affects the prostate gland which is below the bladder in the pelvis. The prostate gland is responsible for secreting the seminal fluid which is crucial for the reproduction process (Eastham & Scardino, 2001). However, the cancer cells may spread across the body and become infectious to other body parts. The paper explains the prostate cancer as well as the forms of treatment and diagnosis.
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Chemical changes that contribute to DNA can lead to the development of cancer. The genes that influence cell growth can be affected hence leading to the disease. However, the genetic factors can lead to the risk of having the prostate cancer. The genes that cause cancer include BRCA 1 and RNASEL.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Various risk attributes can predispose an individual to prostate cancer. Age is a prostate cancer risk factor affecting men who are above 65 years. The condition is not prevalent on the young men under the age of 40. Family history can lead to the development of the prostate cancer. It is due to the aspect of genes and inheritance. Increase in the number of the family members affected increases the risk of the relatives to suffer from the condition.

Prostate Cancer Signs and Symptoms
An individual suffering from prostate cancer may have various signs and symptoms during the early or the late stages of the disease. A person may have frequent urination due to the problems with the prostate glands. However, the person may experience challenges while stopping or starting the urinary stream.
Urinary retention is also a symptom of the prostate cancer. The individual may strain while urinating thus leading to lack of control during the urination. However, prostate cancer may spread to other body parts thus leading to metastatic prostate cancer. The symptoms of the prostate cancer at later stages include weight loss and presence of fatigue (Wilson & Crawford, 2004). The individual can also suffer from breathing problems while performing physical activities. Prostate cancer can obstruct lymph tissues thus causing the swelling of legs. Early diagnosis of prostate cancer can help curb the effects of the condition which may be severe after its widespread.
Diagnostic Testing for Prostate Cancer
Numerous specialists are required during the diagnosis and treatment of the prostate cancer. Primary provider specialist is the initial medical practitioner to attribute to the screening process. The specialist is also concerned about the severe effects of the condition.
Urologists are also critical during the diagnosis process of the prostate cancer. The urologists perform prostate biopsy regarding the stages of cancer development. However, the specialists play a crucial role during the surgical treatments while getting rid of the cancerous cells.
Oncologists are medical practitioners responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The specialists administer various medical therapies such as chemotherapy as well as hormonal therapy.
Digital Rectal Examination
It is a physical examination towards the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The specialist inserts a lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the back of prostate gland. However, findings including abnormality in the size of prostates indicate the condition of prostate cancer (Eastham & Scardino, 2001). The test is critical due to the identification of high-grade cancer in association to the prostate-specific antigen.
PSA Blood Test Diagnosis for Prostate Cancer
The blood test helps identify protein levels present in the blood. The prostate gland produces the protein which makes the seminal fluid be in liquid form (Sartor & George, 2005). The elevation of the prostate-specific antigen at various times can indicate the presence of the prostate cancer.
Prostate Biopsy Diagnosis for Prostate Cancer
The process involves taking sample tissues from a specific area of the body. Tissues from the prostate gland may be considered to diagnose the presence of cancerous cells. However, the medical practitioners may stop an individual from specific types of medications including aspirin before carrying out the diagnosis. If the patient suffers from complications such as urinary problems after the process, further evaluation is carried out by the specialist.
Treatment Modalities for Prostate Cancer
Enzalutamide is a hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. The treatment is administered to the patients with no symptoms once androgen deprivation treatment fails. The administration of the medication can also take place before the indication of the chemotherapy (Lee & Sartor, 2002). The enzalutamide stops the testosterone from reaching the cancer cells in the prostate gland thus limiting the growth of the cells. The treatment causes side effects such as bone pain and tiredness. The medication may be inappropriate for the individuals who may have suffered from stroke or brain problems.
Brachytherapy Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Brachytherapy is a cancer treatment process that involves the provision of radiation rays to the tumor and reducing exposure to the healthy cells. Other forms of therapies such as chemotherapy are crucial for cancer treatment. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to get rid of the growing cancerous cells. The process may also include administration of a pill in the arm.
Practice of Master’s Prepared Nurse
The information in the case of prostate cancer informs a Master’s prepared nurse to have an advanced role in a particular area such as prostate cancer treatment. The nurse practitioner should develop and assess adequate strategies that enhance the quality of healthcare and service delivery. The master’s prepared nurse should use the information in the case of prostate cancer to evaluate and prevent the side effects that occur during treatment. However, the nurse should use the information to educate the patients about healthy lifestyle and how to manage the condition.
The essential information presented in the case is regarding the treatment of prostate cancer as well as the forms of therapies necessary for the diagnosis. Patient safety issue regarding the condition of prostate cancer includes the provision of adequate and primary care to the patient (Clarke, 2007). It is apparent that diagnostic procedures are crucial to allow earlier diagnosis of the prostate cancer. Treatment of prostate cancer during early stages is evident rather than during the later stages.
In summation, healthcare providers should equip the public with relevant information about various forms of cancer and the risk factors. Early diagnosis has proved to be salient for cancer treatment and curtailed the side effects. Eventually, hospital setting should consent with other stakeholders such as the government to reduce the mortality rates caused by cancer.
References
Clarke, S. (2007). Nurse Staffing in Acute Care Settings: Research Perspectives and Practice
Implications. The Joint Commission Journal On Quality And Patient Safety, 33(11), 30-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1553-7250(07)33111-5Eastham, J., & Scardino, P. (2001). Early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Disease-A-
Month, 47(9), 417-459. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0011-5029(01)90003-3Lee, D., & Sartor, O. (2002). New Treatment Modalities for Hormone-Resistant Prostate
Cancer. Clinical Prostate Cancer, 1(3), 139-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1540-0352(11)70136-6
Sartor, O., & George, D. (2005). Prostate-Specific Antigen Endpoints in Hormone-Refractory
Prostate Cancer. Clinical Prostate Cancer, 4(1), 5-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.3816/cgc.2005.n.006Wilson, S., & Crawford, E. (2004). Screening for Prostate Cancer. Clinical Prostate
Cancer, 3(1), 21-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.3816/cgc.2004.n.008