How to reduce or delay risk of developing prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men diagnosed even in younger age group below 50 years in India
By Newsmeter Network
Men below 50 years of age are reporting with prostate cancer in India
Hyderabad: The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men. It is closely linked with the urinary system and is a key part of the male reproductive system. It is located below the bladder and makes and stores seminal fluid, a milky fluid that nourishes sperm. As men grow older, the prostate gland frequently becomes a source of trouble. Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the prostate.
Prostate cancer is one of the top ten leading cancers in India. It is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, and the National Cancer Registry in India shows that prostate cancer incidence rates are increasing significantly. It usually affects men in the age group of 65+ years. However, recently, there has been an increase in reports of cancer in younger men in the age group of 35-44 and 55-64 residing in metropolitan cities.
The risk of prostate cancer is increased by older age (about 99% of cases occur in those over the age of 50), a family history of the disease, and race. Having a first-degree relative with the condition increases the risk twofold.
Prostate cancer usually causes no signs or symptoms in the early stages. The urinary symptoms are caused by the enlargement of the prostate, which presses upon the urethra, thereby affecting the flow of urine. These symptoms can be caused by cancerous as well as non-cancerous prostatic conditions. While most prostate cancers are slow-growing growing some grow relatively fast. The abnormal cells are likely to multiply and sometimes spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes.
Signs of prostate cancer are often first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up. Common symptoms include a need to urinate frequently, difficulty starting or stopping urination, weak or interrupted flow of urination, painful or burning urination, difficulty having an erection, painful ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen, or frequent pain and stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs. If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor so that timely testing can be done.
The earlier a cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat it, and the chances for successful treatment will be higher. One of the best ways for early detection of prostate cancer is DRE and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Those people who have a family history of prostate cancer, irrespective of the symptoms, should undergo regular check-ups, including DRE and PSA, after the age of 45.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the most common treatments for localized (early-stage) prostate cancer are surgery to remove the prostate, radiation therapy, and active surveillance (getting tested regularly and treating the cancer only if it grows or causes symptoms).
There are many things that men can do to reduce or delay their risk of developing prostate cancer. It is recommended to embrace a healthy lifestyle, cessation of smoking, a well-balanced diet, and regular physical exercise, which would go a long way in keeping prostate cancer at bay. Diet and lifestyle modifications have been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer development and progression, and can help men with prostate cancer live longer and better lives.
(The article is written by Dr. Palanki Satya Dattatreya is Director & Chief of Medical Oncology Services, Renova Soumya Cancer Centre, Karkhana, Secunderabad)
