No photo

NeNe Leakes was recently honored for raising awareness of cancer at the Associates for Breast and Prostate Cancer Studies annual Mother’s Day Luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles.

It was reported that NeNe’s husband Greg Leakes was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. But NeNe denied that report, saying her husband was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.

“You know, as you know, my husband, [Gregg], was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and ever since then, we have been all over this whole cancer thing, because it was devastating to our family,” she told ET on the red carpet. “But, I’m happy to say today that Gregg is much better. We don’t know that he is free of cancer, but he’s much better.”

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is cancer of the gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate is a walnut-size gland located between the bladder and the penis. It sits just in front of the colon. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men in the United States. Prostate cancer usually grows very slowly and it is asymptomatic until it is in advanced stage and/or spreads to nearby organs (stage 4).

What Are Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

There are no early symptoms or warning signs of prostate cancer. Once a tumor causes the prostate to swell (stage 3), or once the cancer spreads beyond the prostate to other organs (stage 4), the following symptoms may occur:

  • Urgency or frequent need to urinate, especially at night
  • Difficulty starting or stopping a urine stream
  • Weak or interrupted urinary stream
  • Leaking of using when laughing or coughing
  • Inability to urinate standing up
  • Painful or burning sensation during urination
  • Blood in urine or semen

    •  
    The symptoms are caused by the swollen prostate blocking the urinary urethra (urinary tube from the bladder) which runs down the center of the prostate.

    Symptoms of advanced prostate cancer include:

  • Dull, deep pain or stiffness in the pelvis, lower back, ribs, or upper thighs
  • Pain in the bones in the pelvis or hips
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness or paralysis in legs
  • Constipation

    •  
    Consult your doctor or health provider if you experience these symptoms.

    What are treatments for Prostate Cancer?

    Treatment for prostate cancer depends on the stage, your age, and the size of the tumor.

    Available treatment options include:

    Surgery to remove all or part of the prostate.
    Radiation to kill the cancer cells and shrink the tumors.
    Hormone therapy to block certain hormones that feed tumors and cause it to grow.
    Chemotherapy taken by mouth, patch or intravenously to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
    Immunotherapy: using your body’s own immune cells to attack the cancer cells. This is used to treat advanced prostate cancer.

    Your doctor will start you on one therapy at a time to see which one works best for you.

    This has been your medical minute.

    More Info On the Web

    Prostate Cancer | WbMD

    Prostate Cancer | Cancer.gov

    Prostate Cancer | American Cancer Society

    DISCLAIMER

    Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following information found on this blog.

    Photo by Tibrina Hobson/WireImage