All About Prostate Cancer :
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. It helps produce semen and nourish sperm. Prostate cancer forms when cells in the prostate become abnormal and start rapidly multiplying.
The prostate sits just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder.
The majority of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas begin in the gland cells and develop from epithelial tissue, which lines the surfaces of many organs.
Despite only impacting males, prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer and it is also one of the most treatable cancers, with a five-year survival rate of nearly 98%.
This success is due to a number of factors. The disease is often slow-growing; there are effective, established treatments; and most cases are caught before cancer has spread beyond the prostate, making the disease easier to treat.
Symptoms linked to Prostate Cancer:
It often shows no symptoms in the early stages. In more advanced prostate cancer, symptoms may appear. However, they can vary from person to person. Since the prostate is close to the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which empties the bladder, most symptoms involve urination.
It also include :
- Inability to urinate or difficulty in starting to urinate
- Trouble emptying the bladder completely
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty trying to hold back urination
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Difficulty having or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED)
- Continual pain in the bones, including in the lower back, pelvis, hips, or thighs. This is typically only experienced by patients whose prostate cancer has spread to their bones (metastatic prostate cancer).
These symptoms do not always mean you have the disease. Sometimes these symptoms may be related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous condition in which the prostate increases in size and may cause urination problems. While BPH needs to be treated, it is not prostate cancer. Other non-cancerous conditions could also cause these symptoms, so it is important to discuss them with your doctor.
Risk Factors to be considered :
Anything that increases your chance of getting this cancer is a risk factor. These include:
- Age: This is the most important risk factor. More than 90% of cases are in men who are age 55 or older.
- Family history: Risk is higher when other members of your family (especially father, brother, son) who had it. The risk increases if your family member was diagnosed at a younger age.
- Hereditary cancer syndromes: Certain genetic mutations increase a man’s risk of developing this cancer. These include Lynch syndrome and mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes.
- Race: African American men or men of African descent have nearly double the risk of getting this cancer as white men. It is found less often in Asian American, Hispanic, and American Indian men.
- Diet: A high-fat diet, particularly a diet high in animal fats, may increase risk. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may decrease risk.
- Nationality: it is more prevalent in North America and northwestern Europe than in other parts of the world.
Some research suggests that inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) may play a role in getting this cancer type. Sexually transmitted diseases are being investigated as possible risk factors as well.
How to avoid the chance of getting Prostate cancer:
- Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily and eat less red meat. Decrease fat intake.
- Tell your doctor about the supplements you take. Some of these may decrease the PSA level.
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain your ideal weight
Other ways to prevent the cancer being investigated:-
- Lycopenes: These substances found in tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon may help prevent damage to cells.
- Proscar® (finasteride) or Avodart® (dutasteride): These medications can reduce the risk of low-grade prostate cancer. If you are at high risk for prostate cancer, talk to your urologist or another provider who is familiar with studies about these drugs.
Some cases of prostate cancer can be passed down from one generation to the next.
Genetic counselling may be right for you.
Read More About Prostate Cancer.
Treatments in Mauritius with Experts at ACH
Most newly diagnosed patients with intermediate to high-risk prostate cancer have a choice between surgery or radiation therapy.
During your first ACH visit you will have a joint appointment with a radiation oncologist and surgeon who both specialise in prostate cancer. The three of you will review your case and discuss your treatment options.
Your doctors may even discuss clinical trials with you, which could offer better outcomes than standard treatments.
If you have a more complex cancer, such as a disease that has recurred or spread, we offer the most advanced therapies.
Thanks to our robust research and clinical trial programs, these may include new surgical options or new cancer drugs, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
ACH offers a comprehensive cancer centre. These include social work counselling, nutrition and exercise guidance, psychiatric support and care for health problems that may be impacted by your cancer, such as diabetes and arthritis.