The 42-year-old Hall was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September, and surgeons found the volume of cancer to be more than they anticipated, having consumed 30 percent of the prostate. There is a possibility that a marginal amount of the cancer may have escaped through the urethral stump, but Hall said that the area has tested negative so far and that it will continue to be monitored.
Doctors, though, are optimistic that he will make a complete recovery.
"When I made the decision to have surgery, I heard from a lot of anonymous sources nationally, questioning why I had opted for surgery so soon," Hall said. "The volume of cancer was so much higher than originally diagnosed that I definitely made the right decision."
Hall has decided to publicly discuss his battle because he hopes to encourage men to be tested early for the disease.
"If I had waited until I was 50, like they recommend to be tested, or to treat it, our surgeons said no doubt it would have already been in the bones and too late for treatment," he said. "It's a clear message to all men, and I'm the example that you can save a life with early detection, so it's very important that everyone has a PSA test.
Causes behind prostate cancer
While the cause behind prostate cancer is unknown, the risk factors for prostate cancer include advancing age, genetics, hormonal influences, exposure to toxins, chemicals, and industrial products. The chances of developing prostate cancer increase with age. Cases of prostate cancer below the age of 40 are extremely rare; most cases observed are in men above the age of 80.
Signs and symptoms
In the early stages, prostate cancer often causes no symptoms for many years. These cancers frequently are first detected by an abnormality on a blood test. In more advanced cases, the cancer may enlarge and press on the urethra, as a result, diminishing the flow of urine and making it more difficult.
Prostate cancer diagnosis
An abnormality in one or both of the prostate cancer screening tests may lead to early detection. These screening tests are a Digital Rectal Examination and a blood test called the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). The only test that can fully confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer is a biopsy, the removal of small pieces of the prostate for microscopic examination.
Treatment options
The treatment options for prostate cancer usually include surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, or combinations of some of these treatments. A cure for metastatic prostate cancer is, unfortunately, unattainable at the present time. The surgical treatment for prostate cancer is commonly referred to as a radical prostatectomy, which is the removal of the entire prostate gland.
Alternative medicine
Non-traditional treatments are herbs, dietary supplements, and acupuncture. The composition of herbal treatments is not standardized therefore the results vary, if at all there are any. Also, the way herbal treatments work and their long-term side effects usually are not known. Currently, there is no evidence to prove that these medications have any therapeutic benefit in prostate cancers that have become resistant to conventional treatments.
Prevention
No specific measures are known to prevent the development of prostate cancer. Preventing progression of the cancer can be done by getting an early diagnoses and then attempting to cure the disease through medication and surgery, if necessary. Early diagnoses can be made by screening men for prostate cancer with PSA and digital rectal examination. The purpose of the screening is to detect early, tiny, or even microscopic cancers that are confined to the prostate gland.
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