Learn about prostate cancer, its causes, and treatment options. Also, we'll give you tips on how to prevent or manage cancer if tests are positive.
Prostate Cancer and Its Treatment
Prostate cancer is a form of malignant tumor that affects the prostate gland. It’s a common cancer in men and often develops without obvious symptoms. The cancer is most common in men over the age of 50 and is usually treatable if detected early.
Treatment options for prostate cancer vary depending on the stage and severity of cancer. The options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.
Surgery is often used to remove the cancerous cells and surrounding tissue, while radiation therapy destroys cancer cells. Chemotherapy may also be used in some cases to shrink the tumor.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer occurs when cells within the prostate gland mutate and begin to divide uncontrollably. That can happen due to several factors, such as
Age: Age has the highest risk for prostate cancer, with most cases occurring in men over the age of 50
Lifestyle habits: Lifestyle-related factors that may increase one's risk of prostate cancer include;
Smoking
Diet high in fat
Lack of physical activity.
Certain gene mutations: Some genetic mutations increase the susceptibility to developing prostate cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase one's risk of prostate cancer.
Certain ethnicities are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, such as African American men and Caribbean men of African descent.
A family's past traces of prostate cancer increase the disease risk.
What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer symptoms may not present themselves until the disease has advanced. Common signs and symptoms include:
Difficulty or pain while urinating.
Frequent urination.
Blood in urine or semen.
Pain in the hips, back, or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones.
Impotence.
How to Prevent Prostate Cancer
You can take certain precautions to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. These precautions include:
Regular exercise, such as walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
Eating a healthy diet, such as limiting fat and red meat intake and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking.
Regular screening for prostate cancer.
Early detection of prostate cancer can lead to better outcomes and improved prognosis. Men over the age of 50 need to speak with their doctor about their risk factors for prostate cancer and the screening options that are right for them.
How to Treat Prostate Cancer
Treatment method depends on factors such as the stage of cancer, a person's age, and overall health. Treatment options include:
Active Surveillance: The surveillance involves monitoring cancer with regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and biopsies. Treatment is only needed if cancer progresses.
Surgery: This is used to treat early-stage prostate cancer and involves removing the entire prostate gland and nearby tissues.
Radiation Therapy: This involves using high-energy rays to destroy prostate cancer cells. It can be used alone or with surgery and can be external (outside your body) or internal (implanting radioactive material in the prostate).
Hormone Therapy: This is used to stop cancer cells from growing by blocking hormones that support them. It can function alone or together with radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy: This is used to treat advanced cases of prostate cancer and involves using drugs to kill cancer cells.
No single treatment is right for everyone. Consult your doctor about the most suitable option.
Prostate Cancer Is Not a Death Sentence
Prostate cancer isn’t a life-ending diagnosis. With early detection and treatment, many men can live long and healthy lives, free of the disease. Prostate cancer has a variety of treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Each treatment option has its benefits and risks, but you can achieve a positive outcome with careful monitoring and timely intervention.
Further, many new treatments and clinical trials are available for prostate cancer. Many of these are designed to target the particular needs of each patient and their cancer type. That helps to ensure the treatment is tailored specifically for each person’s unique situation and needs.
On the bottom line, men can take many other steps to reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer. These include regular exercise, taking a balanced diet, and shunning tobacco and alcohol. These steps can help ensure that men can live long, healthy lives with the assurance of a successful prostate cancer prognosis.
