As a man, it is important to be aware and take action in regards to prostate cancer. While a thought that no man ever wants to consider, understanding early detection and treatment options can be key in managing this diagnosis. This article will discuss the importance of early detection and different treatment options so that you can prepare in case the worst occurs.
1. Fighting Prostate Cancer: What Men Need to Know
- What is Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer is a disease in which a malignant tumor grows in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland that is responsible for producing seminal fluid in men.
- Risk Factors Risk factors for prostate cancer include increasing age, ethnicity (African-American men are at higher risk), a family history of prostate cancer, and exposure to various environmental factors such as poultry products. It’s important for men to review their own individual risk factors with their doctor.
- Screening and Diagnosis Regular screenings can be key for early detection and successful treatment for prostate cancer. A digital rectal exam and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test can help your doctor diagnose the severity of the cancer.
- Treatment Treatment for prostate cancer can range from monitoring it closely to surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the cancer and the individual’s personal risk factors.
Men dealing with a prostate cancer diagnosis should feel empowered to ask questions and take an active role in their treatment. Men should speak with their doctors about all the aspects of their treatment, and keep in mind that each cancer case is unique, so treatments vary depending on the case.
Side Effects of Treatment
Treatments for prostate cancer may lead to various side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, urinary and bladder incontinence, rectal bleeding, and emotional distress. It is important to discuss these possible side effects with your doctor to mitigate or manage them.
Getting Support
Cancer diagnosis and treatments can be overwhelming. To help cope with the mental and emotional toll of prostate cancer, men should consider talking to their doctor or participating in support groups designed for those dealing with similar issues. Talking to peers and sharing experiences can lend helpful insight into how to manage the condition.
2. Prostate Cancer Screening: When and How Often?
Picking the right time to get prostate cancer screening is a major factor in catching the disease early and increasing one’s chances of survival. However, when it comes to prostate cancer screening, there is no perfect answer. Health care professionals generally recommend prostate cancer screening for men from the age of 50. As a man’s age increases, so does his risk of prostate cancer, and by the time he reaches the age of 70, the average risk is 15%.
When it comes to the frequency of prostate cancer screening, it depends on your age and risk factors. If you have a low risk, are between the ages 55 and 69, and have a life expectancy of more than 10 years, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that you should get tested once every 10 years. But if you’re younger and at higher risk due to family history or African American descent, then screenings should begin earlier and be carried out more often. It’s best to discuss this with your doctor in order to decide the frequency of prostate cancer screenings.
Prostate cancer screening often involves a physical exam and a prostate-specific antigen test, also called a PSA test. The physical exam includes an evaluation of the prostate gland, while the PSA test is a blood test that measures an enzyme associated with prostate cancer. It’s important to note that the results of these screenings don’t necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer; further testing is required to make that determination.
- For men from the age of 50: prostate cancer screening recommended
- For men 55 – 69 with a life expectancy of more than 10 years: screening once every 10 years
- Younger and/or higher risk men: screenings should begin earlier and be carried out more often
- Physical exam and PSA test: primary means for screening
3. Treatment Strategies for Prostate Cancer
The treatment for prostate cancer depends on the stage, age and health of the patient, so it’s important to discuss your individual diagnosis and risks with your healthcare provider. Generally, the three most common treatments are:
- Surgery – removing the prostate gland surgically, either through the abdomen or perineum (back wall of the pelvis). This is usually done for early-stage prostate cancer, but can also be used to treat more advanced tumors.
- Radiation – either with external beams of radiation or using radioactive seeds implanted in the prostate. Radiation can be used to shrink the tumor or to eliminate any cancerous cells left after surgery.
- Hormone Therapy – using medications to stop the production of hormones, such as testosterone, that can fuel prostate cancer. This is commonly used for more advanced cancers.
Other treatments can also involve combinations of the above, such as surgery followed by hormone therapy or radiation therapy. In some cases, prostate cancer can be monitored with regular check-ups, known as active surveillance. This involves watching the cancer to see if it’s changing, rather than taking immediate action.
Other complementary treatments, such as lifestyle changes, alternative medicines, and stress management techniques, can also be used in conjunction with the above to help in the management of prostate cancer.
4. Understanding the Side Effects of Prostate Cancer Medication
Prostate cancer medication is an important part of managing the disease, but the various treatments unfortunately come with side effects. It’s important to understand and carefully monitor yourself for signs of adverse reactions to treatment.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer involves the removal of hormonal signals from the body that contribute to cancer growth. Common side effects include loss of sex drive, fatigue, weakness, erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, bone pain, and weight gain.
Surgery or Radiation
Surgery and radiation to treat prostate cancer can cause side effects such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and bowel dysfunction. Additionally, the surgery itself carries the risk of major complications like infection, bleeding, and the formation of excess scar tissue.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells and is unfortunately associated with a range of serious side effects. Among them are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, bleeding, and increased risk of infection.
It’s important to have open communication with your doctor and caregivers while being vigilant for any signs of side effects to prostate cancer medication. If side effects present themselves, make sure to take them seriously and notify your doctor right away.
5. Living with Prostate Cancer: Techniques for Emotional Support
Know your Limitations – Living with prostate cancer isn’t easy and everyone has different emotional needs. Anticipate what you can and can’t control in your life, and find comfort in knowing the difference. Accepting what is is the best way of controlling the situation. Furthermore, try not to focus on what you cannot control, as it can become draining both physically and emotionally.
Find Yourself an Outlet – Having a passion or hobby is a great way to cope. Whether it’s writing, dancing, working out, or collecting stamps, when you take the time to devote yourself to something, it can help take your mind off the stresses of having cancer. Such activities will provide you with some normalcy, allowing you to take part in one’s passion, which is all the more important when living with cancer.
Reach Out to Your Support System – Working through emotions alone can be draining and frustrating. It is essential to reach out to the friends and family you trust and feel comfortable talking to. Whether it’s venting, celebrating victories, or simply enjoying each other’s company – knowing that you are not alone during this process is vital. Belonging to a support group can be equally helpful, providing emotional safety with those who understand.
Grow in Mindfulness – Finding one’s inner peace is a powerful tool when living with prostate cancer. This can be achieved through meditation, calm walks, yoga, or any other activity that helps clear your mind. When practiced, it can be a source of respite from anxiety or sadness. Additionally, mindfulness can provide encouragement to practice positive tuning and optimism.
- Know your Limitations
- Find Yourself an Outlet
- Reach Out to Your Support System
- Grow in Mindfulness
The title may be worrying, but prostate cancer is a very treatable and manageable condition – with early detection and effective treatment options available, there is hope for those who are affected. We encourage all men over the age of 50 to monitor their health closely and, if in doubt, speak to their healthcare professional. Now is the time to take action in order to protect your prostate and health.
