Know the symptoms of Prostate cancer- Early detection assures a higher treatment success rate

The prostate is a part of a male reproductive system that rests underneath the bladder. Cancer in the prostate can affect the gland's ability to produce some of the fluid in semen and controls the urine flow. It is one of most common cancers in men, more than half of the cases in India remains undetected due to lack of awareness about its symptoms. Every year, among 15 lakh prostate cancer cases in men being detected in India, more than 85% of are stage four cancers. The symptoms for Prostate Cancer don’t only become easily noticeable once the disease has progressed, causing late diagnosis and high fatality rate.

This article talks about the symptoms of Prostate Cancer in detail.

Since men with an enlarged prostate are at a higher risk of cancer, knowing the symptoms of a benign prostate beforehand can cut down the risks of prostate cancer to a minimum. The symptoms in men with an enlarged prostate have been summarized below:

1. Experiencing trouble while passing urine

2. Experiencing pain while urinating

3. Having blood in the urine

4. Experiencing pain in lower back, thighs and hips

5. Weak flow of urine

Symptoms of prostate cancer:

After knowing the preliminary signs of an enlarged prostate in men, one must pay heed to the symptoms associated with the prostate cancer i.e once cancer has started to develop.

People with prostate cancer may exhibit symptoms including,

1. Persistent pain in the lower back

2. Difficulty in patient's capacity of initiation of urination

3. Severe pain experienced during urination

4. Weak urine flow

5. Blood in urine

6. Painful ejaculation

7. No control over starting and stopping the urinary flow

8. Feeling of a full bladder even if it is empty

9. Unexplained weight loss

Why is early detection crucial?

Oncologist recommends proper medical attention immediately after encountering the first set of symptoms related to prostate cancer. Majority of patients tend to ignore the early onset of symptoms assuming that they have an enlarged prostate and refrain from seeking medical consultation. This mistake made by many only aggravates the problem; in many cases, cancer can invade other parts of the body leading to organ failure.

This is why one should take note of the appearance of symptoms associated with prostate cancer. To ensure early detection men, who are either 50 years or beyond, should undergo a detailed physical screening exam on a yearly basis. During the diagnosis, the doctor will conduct test procedures like ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI Scan, or a biopsy to ascertain the presence of prostate cancer.

Undergoing such screening procedures early can help the doctor devise and commence an appropriate treatment plan expeditiously, thereby increasing the rate of the survival to a great extent.

Apart from improved survival and success rate, early detection of prostate cancer can play a cardinal role in lowering down the cost of the treatment.

Sources: http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/03-02-2017-early-cancer-diagnosis-saves-lives-cuts-treatment-costs

What are the available treatments of prostate cancer?

Some of the treatment methods include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or even a combination of these. The type of treatments suggested will depend on the stage of cancer. For example,

For prostate cancer cases (stages I and II), radiation therapy or surgery have been regarded as the appropriate treatment method, and for stage III prostate cancer, combination treatments are prefered.

Sources: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/treatment-options

Final word:

By identifying the symptoms of prostate cancer in early stages, the survival rate of the patients increases. Also, the cost of the treatment reduces.

Also Check: What is Advanced Colon Cancer Symptoms?