The symptoms of prostate cancer are:
- difficulty in starting to urinate.
- frequent urination especially at night.
- pain while urinating.
- blood in urine.
- hip lower back pain.
- pain with ejaculation.
- pain in lower part of pelvis.
- weight loss.
- loss of appetite.

The cause of prostate cancer is not exactly known but there are some factors that increase the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. These factors include:
- A family history of prostate cancer in father or brother are at higher risk.
- Risk increases if several relatives are affected especially when they are young at time of diagnosis.
- High fat diet adds the risk of developing prostate cancer.
- A diet with high lycopenes and curcumin reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Diagnosis of prostate cancer involves following steps:
- Physical examination reveals an in-duration of nodule of the prostate.
- PSA blood test detects prostate cancer of low volume and is a step in initial diagnosis of prostate cancer.
- True cut prostate biopsy after positive PSA test confirms prostate cancer.

Treating early stages of prostate cancer involves watchful waiting. To treat prostate cancer, options available are:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Drug therapy
They can cause some side effects like impotence and incontinence but they tend to disappear after the treatment.

To prevent prostate cancer:
- Undergo examination and PSA test every 1-2 years interval.
- Limit animal fat consumption.
- Increase dietary consumption of lycopenes and curcumin rich food.

Arginine, also known as L-arginine, is involved in a number of different functions in the body. They include:

- Wound healing.
- Helping the kidneys remove waste products from the body.
- Maintaining immune and hormone function.
- In the body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation.
- Since arginine may help arteries relax and improve blood flow, it may also help with erectile dysfunction.

It is broken down into ornithine and urea and is, therefore, a vital part of the urea cycle in the liver, which is the main route of detoxification and elimination of urea.

The major sources of arginine are:
- Peanuts.
- Cashew nuts.
- Piyal seeds.
- Water melon seeds.
- Walnuts.
- This amino acid is found in most vegetables, especially green and root vegetables.
- Arginine exists in a free state in plants such as garlic and ginseng.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

Lack of arginine reduces sex impulse and can cause impotence. A prolonged deficiency is not only harmful to the immunological system but can also result in the disordered carbohydrate metabolism.

Arginine is useful in some cases of male sterility. A supplementary use of arginine minimizes post-wound weight loss and accelerates wound healing. An increased intake of in the diet can also lead to an increase in weight and muscle mass.

PRECAUTION
Several weeks of supplementation in mature adults may cause reversible thickening and coarsening of the skin. Arginine is contraindicated in cases of herpes simplex infections according to a number of authorities. Foods rich in arginine should therefore be avoided by patients with such viral infections.

Incontinence

The inability to control urination affects about 10 percent of men who have been treated for prostate cancer.
- Stress incontinence
- Overflow incontinence
- Urge incontinence
Normal bladder function often returns within weeks after surgery or after radiation treatments have stopped.

Impotence

Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, is the inability to have an erection. Impotence can result from surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone therapies. In the months following surgery, some potency may return.
- Drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra) can help a man achieve an erection.
- Vacuum devices also assist in achieving an erection.
- Penile implants can be inserted surgically to help create an erection.

Physical Discomfort

Physical discomfort after treatment for prostate cancer may include:
- Fatigue caused by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapies.
- Nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
- Hair loss from chemotherapy.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

- Prostate cancer is caused by changes in the DNA of a prostate cancer cell. DNA makes up our genes, which control how cells behave.
- Prostate cancer may also be linked to higher levels of certain hormones. High levels of male hormones (androgens) may play a part in prostate cancer risk in some men.
- The risk (predisposing) factors for prostate cancer include advancing age, genetics (heredity), hormonal influences, and such environmental factors as toxins, chemicals, and industrial products.
- It develops in the outer part of the gland as distinct from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), which develops in the centre of the gland. Therefore, it is possible to get prostatic cancer even after one has had a prostatectomy for BPH.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Levels of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA) is often high in men with prostate cancer. However, PSA can also be high with other prostate conditions. Since the PSA test became common, most prostate cancers are found before they cause symptoms. In the later stages, prostate cancer can spread locally into the surrounding tissue or the nearby lymph nodes, called the pelvic nodes. The cancer then can spread even farther (metastasize) to other areas of the body. Symptoms of prostate cancer may include :

- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night.
- Difficulty in starting urination or inability to urinate.
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
- Painful or burning urination.
- Difficulty in having an erection.
- Pain during ejaculation.
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or thighs.
- Pain with bowel movement.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Lethargy.
It is advised to consult a doctor immediately if you have experienced any of the above symptoms. Men aged 50 and above have the chances of developing prostate cancer.

What is prostate enlargement, or BPH?

Prostate cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that results in the formation of a tumor in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is found mainly in older men. As men age, the prostate may get bigger and block the urethra or bladder. This may cause difficulty in urination or can interfere with sexual function. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and although it is not cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it. Prostate cancer begins most often in the outer part of the prostate.
- A frequent and urgent need to urinate.
- Trouble starting a urine stream.
- A weak stream of urine.
- A small amount of urine each time you go.
- The feeling that you still have to go, even when you have just finished urinating.
- Leaking or dribbling urine
- Small amounts of blood in your urine
It’s true that some men with prostate cancer also have BPH, but that doesn’t mean that the two conditions are always linked. Most men with BPH don’t develop prostate cancer.

What is prostatitis?

Prostatitis means the prostate might be inflamed or irritated. If you have prostatitis, you may have a burning feeling when you urinate, or you may have to urinate more often. Or you may have a fever or just feel tired.