How can Early-Stage Treatment Help Prostate Cancer Patients?

The prostate gland in men is responsible for forming the fluid part of the semen. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Several factors are associated with this medical condition such as age, physical fitness, family history etc. Just like any other form of cancer, there are several ways of treating prostate cancer as well. These include chemotherapy, prostatectomy, radiation treatment, hormonal therapy etc. the type of treatment method adopted depends on the level to which the disease has already progressed.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms that require a patient to seek professional help immediately include:

• Urinary retention
     
• Loss of urinary control
     
• Weak urinary stream
     
• Difficulty or pain during urination
     
• Blood in urine or semen
     
• Frequent urination

In the presence of these prostate cancer symptoms, the doctor will run diagnostic tests to confirm prostate cancer. If cancer is diagnosed, the doctor finds out the stage of cancer and further course of the treatment.

You can contact specialists from a trusted cancer hospital such as Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital on the best way to move forward with your treatment. In most cases, invasive treatments are avoided as long as possible. The doctor observes the progression of cancer over time and decides the course that the treatment would take. In case the tumour is slow-growing, techniques such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy are delayed as long as it is medically safe.

In the early stages, the doctors prefer having a “wait and watch” approach towards the treatment. This ensures that the person is not put at unnecessary risks that come with invasive treatment methods.

Various treatment approaches that can be taken for an early-stage cancer diagnosis are listed below:

Also Read: 5 MAJOR CAUSES OF PROSTATE CANCER

Observation treatment

A common approach taken for prostate cancer treatment in low-risk patients is called observation treatment. This method does not focus on eliminating cancer from the body but instead observes the symptoms and provide palliative care for them.

Although it is preferred for delaying any associated side effects of the treatment, it could also have an effect on other systems of the body such as bone fractures, urinary retention when the treatment is delayed.

Surveillance

Active surveillance involves the aim of intervening as soon as cancer shows signs of progression in the patient’s body. Men with higher life expectancy and low-risk cancer are usually offered this treatment plan. It can help delay the treatment and the side effects that are associated with it. This method requires the patient to undergo periodic biopsies. There is also a risk of missing a chance of getting the treatment, but active surveillance has shown promising results.

Complementary care

To cure the symptoms that are associated with cancer, several alternative care approaches can be taken. These focus on removing specific problems that the cancer patient might be experiencing. These could include yoga, meditation, aromatherapy etc. The crucial thing here is to have your doctor in the loop and let them know about whichever alternative care approach you are taking. This will help them coordinate the medications with your complementary care better. Make sure that this alternative care focuses on relieving specific symptoms, rather than targeting the disease.

Also Read: TOP 4 TIPS TO RECOVER FROM A PROSTATE CANCER SURGERY SUCCESSFULLY

Prostatectomy

This is a radical treatment approach that is only undertaken in case there are chances of cancer spreading to other parts. In this method, the prostate is taken out surgically, and this prevents cancer from metastasizing.

Battling any cancer requires the help of specialists that are well-qualified and have several years of experience to find out the best treatment pathway for the patients. This is why you should seek prostate cancer treatment from a well-established cancer care facility. This will help you gain access to the most advanced technologies and treatment methods. Dealing with cancer can be extremely challenging. You need people to help you get through it. The medical staff at such a reputed hospital will assist you throughout and make the treatment easier for you in whichever way possible. Seek the help of an experienced professional immediately as soon as you observe any of the associated symptoms to detect cancer at an early stage and make the treatment more effective.