Understand your risk and learn How Is Prostate Cancer Treated?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the prostate gland found in the man’s lower abdomen area. This gland is located under the bladder near the urethra area. This gland regulates the testosterone hormone in a male individual. It also produces a seminal fluid known as the semen that contains the sperm.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

This type of cancer occurs when there is a malignant growth of cells found known as a tumour. This tumour is formed inside the prostate gland causing prostate cancer. It can spread to the other parts of the body over time.

As per the Urology Care Foundation, this type of cancer is the second most common type, especially in the US.

Prostate Cancer Type

This cancer is of two types primarily and they are categorised as per the rate of growth. The prostate cancer grows in the gland tissues and can be both fast-growing and slow-growing. The fast-growing prostate cancer is known as the aggressive one. The slow-growing one is non-aggressive.

In the non-aggressive type of prostate cancer, the tumour does not grow fast and cancer takes time to spread. But the aggressive one is very fast and can spread to other parts of the body.

Who Are Mostly At Risk?

Prostate cancer is a very common medical condition in men. So it is necessary to understand the risk factors.

Age- Men above the age of 50 gets the chances of prostate cancer, especially those who are in the age range between 60 and 70. Chances of prostate cancer before 40 or 50 years of age is rare. Out of every 10 cases of prostate cancer, 6 are above the age of 65.

Family And Gene

If this cancer runs in the family, men of that family are likely to get it. It has been found in many cases that a family history of prostate cancer plays a major part in increasing the risk. It can be a genetic factor or inherited. The reason is not always clear.

If the father or any male family member had prostate cancer, then it doubles the chance of getting this cancer in other males. It is important to get a detailed family medical history before starting prostate cancer treatment.

Inflammation Of The Gland

Some studies have shown that inflammation of the prostate gland can lead to cancer. Although prostate cancer is not directly linked with inflammation, it could increase the risk of cancer. The link is not clear and the scientists are in constant research to find the relation between the two.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Certain infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea may increase the risk. These infections are known to inflame the prostate gland and that may cause cancer over time if not treated at the earliest. Although this has not been confirmed scientifically, yet it is counted as one of the risk factors.

There are several ways to reduce the risk of prostate cancer that includes maintaining proper weight, a healthy diet, restrict alcohol consumption and physical activities. In case you are concerned, you must take advice from your doctor.

Best Possible Treatments

Radiation therapy is one of the prostate cancer treatments where ionizing radiation is used to kill the cancer cells. The target cells get damaged and it stops cells to replicate further. For radiation therapy, one must find the best hospitals in India for cancer treatment.

Primary hormone therapy is the therapy done in testosterone hormone. This hormone is the main thing of prostate cancer cells. Depending upon the patient’s condition oncologists may recommend this hormone therapy.

Surgery is done to remove the prostate gland so that cancer cannot spread. This treatment is known as radical prostatectomy. This is a better option for men who do not have aggressive cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is another treatment procedure for prostate cancer. Before chemotherapy, there are several factors that the doctor must take into account the patient’s condition and stage of cancer. This treatment requires certain preparation and after-therapy treatments.

It cannot be ascertained how prostate cancer will affect a man. But good lifestyle choices such as avoiding smoking, having hygienic and safe sex and eating a balanced diet may help in preventing the risk of prostate cancer.