The exact cause for prostate cancer is unknown but there are several risk factors which can be observed. Some of these factors are a high fat diet or heritage of example.

Prostate cancer symptoms can only be experienced when the patient has developed the cancer in a larger scale already. The only other way to detect prostate cancer in an early state is having a screening examination.

Once you detect a change in your urine flow like interrupted flow or the desire to urinate very often then you could suffer from the symptoms of prostate cancer already. Other symptoms are blood in the urine or a pain in the hips and thighs.

It could be a matter of life or dead to detect the cancer as early as possible. The earlier the treatment starts the greater the chances of survival. Prostate cancer can be cured but only when it hasn't spread too much already.

Part of the diagnosis is a rectal examination by your doctor. He puts his finger in your rectum to find anything strange with your prostate gland. If he finds something then a blood test will be the next step. The doctor will want to check for PSA, a prostate specific antigen in the blood stream. If the concentration of PSA is very high, it is a strong sign of cancer.

Another test is the transrectal ultrasound which shows a pretty accurate picture of the prostate gland. This painless procedure can detect tumors within twenty minutes.

If the tests above are positive in any form, a prostate biopsy is necessary to confirm the results. A small piece of the tissue is removed by using a needle. If there are any cancer cells then they will show up under the microscope. The biopsy is still the most accurate way to diagnose prostate cancer. It goes quickly and doesn't hurt too much.

If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body can be checked by x-ray, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. It would be a bad sign if the cancer has reached the lungs already.

Once prostate cancer is diagnosed the treatment must start immediately. There are several different treatment options but still the surgery is the most effective way to totally remove the cancer. The treatment will need a team of doctors, an urologist, a surgeon and an oncologist. The surgery is not without risks and side effects so that some prefer alternative ways.

Prognosis for early caner treatment is good. Over 95% of men are alive after five years. A later detection for the cancer which has spread already in other areas of the body still has a prognosis of 30% survival rate after 5 years.