Prostate Cancer – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

In India, approximately 11.5 lakh people suffer from cancer in a year. This makes it a fairly common health issue in the country. There are multiple types of cancer in both men and women, some generic and some specific. In males, one common cancer is Prostatic Cancer.

What is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a small gland in the form of walnut that is present in the pelvis of a man. It is located right next to the bladder and can be easily examined through a digital rectal exam. Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland. It is one of the most common types of cancer found in men and leads to a number of deaths. Prostate cancer can be benign or malignant depending on the type of cell.

Benign Growth –

It is usually not a life threat as it does not spread to other body parts. It can be removed and seldom grows back.

Malignant Growth –

It can be life-threatening in some cases and spreads to other body parts. It can be removed but there is a possibility of regrowth.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

In the early stages of prostate cancer, there are usually no symptoms. If the symptom shows up, it is usually in the form of enlargement of the prostate gland which causes difficulty in passing urine. In case you go through any urinary problem, it is necessary to consult your doctor.

Common Early Symptoms

• Frequent, painful urination
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Pain in the bones
• Mild pain in the lower pelvic region
• Blood in the urine
• Ejaculation process is painful

Risk Factor of Prostate Cancer

It is not easy to know the reason of prostate cancer but there are some commonly found reasons

• Age – With time, the risk of prostate cancer increases. it is not commonly found in men younger than 40 years. It is most common in men over 55 years as damage to the DNA of prostate cell is more likely. This damage can become out of control and create a tumor.
• Family History –If men in your family have a history of prostate cancer, the chances increase. The age in which this cancer was diagnosed also plays an important role.
• Smoking – If you are a heavy smoker, the chances of getting a prostate cancer almost doubles. It also increases the chances of death. But, within the period of 10 years of quitting the habit, the chances reduce to a man who does not smoke.

Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Test – The first thing to do is a “Screening” process. In this, the person is tested even if he does not have any symptoms. This helps in detection of cancer at an early stage. If you are aged between 55 to 69 and have a family history of prostate cancer; the test is recommended.

Treatment – Some prostate cancers are so benign that there is no need for a treatment. Some are fast growing and life-threatening and require treatment. This would be decided by your doctor. The treatment plan for an individual depends on its age, health, cancer stage, risk category, and treatment goals.

Prostate cancer is unfortunately not a rare find and should be treated by a professional. Always remember to get regular check-ups done so that the problem can be detected early for better results.