The prostate gland, though small in size, plays a major role in men’s reproductive health and overall well-being. Abnormal changes in the gland can lead to prostate cancer, which, if not detected early and managed well, may even be life-threatening. The team of specialists at STAR Hospitals ensure accurate assessments with the latest technology and a compassionate approach to manage prostate cancer-related complications.
Read on as we address some of your questions about the condition, common warning signs, and some screening tests you can take to free yourself of worry.
What is the prostate and where is it located?
The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland of the male reproductive system, located just below the bladder, surrounding the urethra. It produces fluid for semen that nourishes and protects sperm.
What is the prostate and where is it located?
The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland of the male reproductive system, located just below the bladder, surrounding the urethra. It produces fluid for semen that nourishes and protects sperm.
How common is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is highly common. As per national cancer registries, it is one of the top ten cancers in India and the second leading cause of cancer in men from metro cities. There are approximately 33,000 to 42,000 new cases of prostate cancer in India annually. This amounts to about 3 per cent of the total cancer cases. Over the past few decades, the incidence has been increasing.
What are some common challenges of prostate cancer?
The most challenging part of prostate cancer is that it is asymptomatic in most people during the initial stages. By the time the condition causes observable symptoms, it is often too advanced to be easily cured. This makes the screening processes for prostate cancer most important.
What are some symptoms of prostate cancer?
Let us look at the symptoms of the cancer of the prostate stage-wise, for better understanding and ease of identification.
1. Stage 1 Prostate cancer symptoms:
In this stage, the cancer is confined to the organ. These symptoms are hardly noticeable and often brushed off as age-related issues.
- Frequent urination- you may feel compelled to use the washroom more often during the day and night, which may even interrupt your sleep.
- Difficulty starting and stopping urination. Urinary retention, or the inability to empty the bladder, is also common.
- Significant decline in the strength of the stream of urine- you may find it difficult to maintain urine flow.
2. Stage 2 Prostate Cancer Symptoms:
At this stage, the cancer remains within the prostate but has grown and become prominent. Symptoms start becoming more visible.
- Increasingly frequent urination, particularly at night.
- Inability to hold urine back. You may unintentionally pass urine.
- Ejaculation is painful. You may find it difficult to achieve an erection due to pain.
3. Stage 3 Prostate Cancer Symptoms:
This stage marks the spreading of the cancer outside the prostate to nearby tissues. The symptoms are severe and cannot be ignored.
This stage marks the spreading of the cancer outside the prostate to nearby tissues. The symptoms are severe and cannot be ignored.
- Presence of blood in urine. Urine may look pink or red.
- Painful urination. This happens as the prostate enlarges due to cancer and presses on the urethra.
- Pelvic pain. There may be pain or a sensation in the hip and pelvic area due to the muscles being affected by cancer.
4. Stage 4 Prostate Cancer Symptoms:
The symptoms at this stage are severe as the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The symptoms at this stage are severe as the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
- Pain in the bones of the hips, spine, and ribs due to metastatic cancer.
- Fatigue, tiredness, and unexpected loss of body weight.
You must undergo screening tests to figure out the reasons behind the symptoms and rule out the possible risk of prostate cancer.
What are some common screening tests for prostate cancer?
If detected and treated early, prostate cancer is easier to cure. Talk to a urologist or your physician to consider screening tests according to your age and health conditions. You can start the tests as early as 45 years of age.
If detected and treated early, prostate cancer is easier to cure. Talk to a urologist or your physician to consider screening tests according to your age and health conditions. You can start the tests as early as 45 years of age.
- PSA Screening Test: The prostate-specific antigen blood test is the most commonly used screening test. It looks for PSA, a protein found in the blood in the prostate, the elevated levels of which could indicate prostate cancer. A high PSA can also be caused by other health reasons. Hence, it is important to do other follow-up tests to confirm the diagnosis.
- Digital Rectal Exam: Due to its position adjacent to the rectum, the cancer of the prostate can be felt by a professional with a finger or device inserted through the rectum.
- Prostate Biopsy: Tissue samples taken from the prostate through transrectal ultrasound guidance are used to confirm or rule out cancer.
What to Remember…
Prostate cancer is not a one-in-a-million disease. It is common, nevertheless, dangerous. Early detection and timely interventions take you ahead in the fight against the disease. Screening tests and proper follow-ups are mandatory to rule out or gauge the severity of the disease. This plays a crucial role in charting a treatment plan. Know your body, and know what is normal and abnormal. Do not hesitate if you observe any symptoms.
Prostate cancer is not a one-in-a-million disease. It is common, nevertheless, dangerous. Early detection and timely interventions take you ahead in the fight against the disease. Screening tests and proper follow-ups are mandatory to rule out or gauge the severity of the disease. This plays a crucial role in charting a treatment plan. Know your body, and know what is normal and abnormal. Do not hesitate if you observe any symptoms.
STAR Hospitals Oncology department offers specialised care and advanced treatment options for localised to metastatic cancers. Our approach takes into account your health conditions and stage of disease and charts the best treatment plan available. We also take care to ensure that your treatment and post-treatment time are convenient and filled with confidence. Do not let worry set you back. Take charge and choose strength over struggle.
