Prostate Cancer – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate and is among the most prevalent cancers. The prostate is a little walnut-shaped gland in men that secretes seminal fluid, which nourishes and carries sperm. It is situated directly underneath the bladder in men and encircles the top part of the tube that empties the urine from the urethra.

Dr. Neeta Verma, often referred to as the best urologist in Bhubaneswar, says that prostate cancer develops when the DNA of the cells in the prostate gland changes. These changes create havoc in the instructions the DNA passes to the cells, telling them to multiply faster than usual. These unwanted and unhealthy cells accumulate and cause a tumor that can further turn cancerous.

Many prostate cancers develop slowly, remain within the prostate gland, and may not cause significant harm. However, while some prostate cancers do not spread fast and may need little to no treatment, others are aggressively malignant and can spread rapidly.

What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer?

Some of the common signs and symptoms include:

• frequent need to pee, usually during the night
• having trouble starting to urinate
• having to strain a lot when peeing
• urine has weak flow, thus making your pee break longer
• feeling like your bladder is only partially empty
• blood in semen or urine
• unexplainable weight loss
• erectile dysfunction – difficulty in getting an erection and maintaining it
• back pain
• burning sensation when ejaculating or urinating

If you have noticed any of these symptoms, please do not hesitate to visit Dr. Neeta Verma, a highly qualified urologist in Bhubaneswar.

She will ensure the best and most evidence-based care possible with the help of her team of rehabilitation therapists who have received specialized training.

What are the causes of prostate cancer?

Doctors cannot pinpoint the exact cause of prostate cancer without considering each case separately. However, some of the risk factors include:

Age –

As you become older, your chance of prostate cancer rises. Statistics have shown that it becomes more prevalent after 50.

Race –

African-American men are more likely than other races to develop prostate cancer for reasons that have not been determined yet. Prostate cancer also appears to be more aggressive or progressed in African-American men.

Family history –

If a sibling, parent, or child of yours was diagnosed with prostate cancer, your chances of having it is higher.

Additionally, your risk of developing prostate cancer may increase if you carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene (a gene that increases the chances of developing breast cancer) or have a strong family history of breast cancer.

Obesity:

Though studies have produced conflicting findings, obese individuals may have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer than those who are regarded to be of a healthy weight. Obese individuals are more likely to have more aggressive cancers that are more likely to return after initial therapy.

Specific occupational exposures:

Rubber workers, battery manufacturers, welders, and workers routinely exposed to cadmium (a silvery-white metal) seem abnormally susceptible to prostate cancer.

Diet:

Men consuming high amounts of fat — notably red meat and other forms of animal fat cooked at high heat — appear to be more prone to developing advanced prostate cancer.

It is always advisable that you go for regular check-ups.

Dr. Neeta Verma, an accomplished prostate cancer doctor in Bhubaneswar, says that early-stage prostate cancer still contained in the prostate gland provides the best prognosis for recovery.

Can you prevent prostate cancer?

Although prostate cancer cannot be prevented, you can reduce your risk in other ways.

Make healthy choices:

Eating a nutritious diet maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise can all help reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Turmeric, red grapes, apple peel, green tea etc., contain compounds that prevent the growth of prostate cancer.

Do not smoke:

Smoking tobacco increases your risk of prostate cancer. If you smoke, quitting is the best way to reduce your risk.

Limit your exposure to hazardous chemicals:

Some studies have found an increased risk of prostate cancer in men exposed to certain chemicals, such as cadmium and pesticides.

Prostate cancer vaccine:

There is currently one vaccine (Provenge) that the FDA has approved for the treatment of prostate cancer. The vaccine is designed to stimulate the immune system to attack prostate cancer cells.

Treat underlying health conditions:

Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome have all been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. If you have any of these conditions, working with your doctor to manage them may help reduce your risk.

Medication:

Certain medications, such as finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart), can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. These drugs are typically used to treat enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Participate in clinical trials:

Clinical trials are research studies that test new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. They are a significant option for men with prostate cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends men over 50 years talk to their doctor about prostate cancer screening.

If you feel there is a cause for concern and may be at risk of prostate cancer, please contact the eminent urologist Dr. Neeta Verma. She is among the preferred doctors for people seeking prostate cancer treatment in Bhubaneswar.

How is prostate cancer treated?

Dr. Neeta Verma, a highly-skilled prostate cancer surgeon in Bhubaneswar, says that treatment options for prostate cancer rely on several variables. They include how quickly the cancer is developing, if it has spread, your general health, and the potential advantages or disadvantages of the proposed course of action.

Medical professionals occasionally advise active surveillance if the prostate cancer is of low grade. Regular blood tests, prostate biopsies, and rectal exams may be done to track your cancer’s development. If testing reveals that your disease is spreading, you may choose a treatment like radiation or surgery.

Surgery

• Prostatectomy: In a prostatectomy, the prostate is surgically removed.
• Radical prostatectomy: The prostate and its surrounding tissue are removed.

Radiation therapy

This therapy uses X-ray-like high-energy radiation to eradicate cancer.

• External radiation therapy: Radiation is directed at the cancerous cells by a device outside the body.
• Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy): Radioactive pellets or seeds are surgically inserted into or placed close to the malignancy to kill the cancer cells.

The following are more prostate cancer treatments that are still being researched:

• Cryotherapy: Freezing and killing the cancer cells by inserting a special probe inside or close to the prostate cancer.
• Chemotherapy: Using specific medications to reduce or eradicate cancer. The drugs may be taken orally, injected into your veins, or occasionally both.
• Biological treatment: This treatment collaborates with your body’s immune system to combat cancer or manage the side effects of other cancer treatments.
• Targeted high-intensity ultrasound: In this therapy, ultrasound waves (high-energy sound waves) are directed at cancer to eliminate cancer cells.
• Hormone therapy: Prevents hormones that cancer cells require for growth from reaching them.

Conclusion

You could feel various emotions after learning that you have prostate cancer, including disbelief, worry, anger, anxiety, and melancholy. Each person eventually develops a unique coping mechanism.

While there is no cure for prostate cancer, there are treatments available that can prolong life. The most important thing for men with prostate cancer is to talk to their doctor and make treatment decisions that are right for them.

Remember, early detection is the key to having an effective treatment.

If you or a loved one has noticed any symptoms or have any risk factors mentioned in this blog, please do not prolong your agony. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Neeta Verma at the earliest.

She is a top-notch prostate cancer specialist in Bhubaneswar. She stays updated on the most recent developments in technology and procedures to provide patients with cutting-edge therapies for their urological illnesses and issues.