Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer may experience physical and emotional side effects of treatment, and may be anxious or upset that their cancer will come back. To ease these concerns, discuss your feelings with your healthcare provider and work to develop a plan with a certified counselor. Physical side effects of treatment include urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Thankfully, most of these symptoms will subside as the treatment continues. For men who are unable to undergo surgery, radiation therapy may be a viable option.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. This treatment is typically reserved for men with advanced prostate cancer, or those who have metastasized. Chemotherapy drugs circulate in the blood and attack rapidly growing cells. Chemotherapy drugs also kill non-cancerous cells. They are carefully monitored to minimize side effects. As a result, chemo is often combined with other treatment methods. If hormone therapy fails, chemotherapy may be considered as the final option.
Patients may also undergo a CT scan, sometimes called a “CAT” scan, to determine whether the cancer has spread outside of the prostate. The doctor may also order a bone scan to determine whether the cancer has spread to bones. In addition to CT scans, physicians may also use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for tumor spread. While the risks of prostate cancer screening may be high, the benefits of early detection are great. The treatment options for prostate cancer are often determined by the stage of the disease and the type of treatment.
Among the risk factors for prostate cancer, diet is considered one of the most important ones. Certain types of foods produce oxidative damage to DNA, which increases the risk of prostate cancer. Men should limit their red meat and dairy products and maintain a healthy weight. Prostate cancer is an extremely serious condition, but the early detection can dramatically reduce its risk. So, how do men prevent it? By making healthy lifestyle changes, you can avoid the risk and death of prostate cancer.
The prostate is an organ found in the rectum and below the bladder. It is responsible for producing fluid that makes up part of the male reproductive system, known as semen. It is the most common type of cancer in men. Those with African ancestry are more likely to develop it than white men. However, men of any sexual orientation or identity can develop it as well. If a cancerous prostate grows aggressively, it can spread to other parts of the body. Fortunately, early detection will allow it to be treated in the most effective way.
In addition to PSA testing, biopsy is one of the main diagnostic tools. This test is used to determine whether a patient has prostate cancer. Depending on the size and location of the cancerous tissue, a prostate biopsy may reveal a diagnosis of cancer. However, this is not always enough to detect cancer in the prostate. The biopsy is not a foolproof way to determine the cause of a patient’s symptoms and can only tell the doctor if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.