back-arrow-image Search Health Packages, Tests & More

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer

Cancer in Men: Prostate Health and Common Concerns

Dr Shaikhali M. Barodawala, Scientific and Business Head, Integrated Oncopathology, Consultant and Head, Anatomy Pathology, Global Reference Laboratory, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd., believes that Edwin Markham's quote, "For all your days, be prepared and meet them ever alike when you are the anvil, bear - when you are the hammer, strike!!", inspires us to be prepared to face the challenges life brings every day. Cancer is a disease that causes abnormal growth of cells that can spread to other organs or tissue. It is a global health concern that impacts a person's physical and emotional health. It also causes financial stress to the patients and their families. The World Health Organisation (WHO) labels cancer as the second leading cause of death in the world. In India, too, there have been rising cases of cancer-related deaths despite new and improved medicines and strategies in cancer treatment. According to an ICMR study, one in nine Indians is prone to developing cancer. There has been an increase in cases of common cancers in men such as cancer of the lungs, oral cavity, prostate, stomach, liver and colorectal cancer. However, the good news is that nearly 30% to 50% of cancer deaths are preventable. Avoiding cancer-related risk factors and following a healthy lifestyle can reduce the chances of cancer. Cancer care not only includes treatment strategies like surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, palliative care and pain management but also cancer prevention, increased awareness, timely detection and diagnosis. Cancer symptoms are often not noticed in the early stages. An example would be the symptoms of male prostate cancer which are the least evident if you are not aware of what the possible symptoms could be. They become worse over time and reduce the chances of recovery. Therefore, staying aware of any changes in the body is important. Furthermore, consulting the doctor on noticing any symptoms of cancer in men is crucial for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Common Cancer Symptoms in Men Dr Shaikhali M. Barodawala says that these are some of the common symptoms of cancer that should be watched out for among men: Abnormal growth An abnormal growth such as a lump in any part of the body including the chest, testicles, lymph nodes, muscles and soft tissues like tendons and ligaments may be a sign of cancer in men. Consulting the doctor at the earliest is advisable. Weight loss without trying While unexplained weight loss may indicate any other health condition, it is important to consult the doctor. Losing weight without changing the diet or without exercising could be a cancer symptom and a sign of stomach, pancreatic, oesophagal or lung cancer. Persistent pain Some bone cancers and cancers involving bones can cause intense pain and weakness. Therefore, experiencing constant and severe pain like a headache or back pain or stomach pain or pain in any part of the body may be a sign of an abnormality and requires timely check-ups. Abnormalities in the oral cavity The appearance of ulcers, sores or lumps in the oral cavity (mouth, lips, the lining in the lips and cheeks, the front of the tongue, the gums, the roof of the mouth and the floor of the mouth under the tongue) should be reported to the doctor. People consuming tobacco or smoking cigarettes must especially stay aware of such abnormal growth and consult the doctor at the earliest. Constant coughing/hoarse voice Constant coughing, hoarseness of voice, shortness of breath and coughing out blood are lung cancer symptoms. Persistent symptoms such as these are alarming and should be reported to the doctor. They will order cancer tests to detect the reason behind these conditions and prescribe appropriate treatment. Difficulty in swallowing, indigestion, stomach pain and changes in bowel movement Abdominal pain followed by vomiting is an indication of bowel conditions. If abdominal pain is also followed by blood in stools, diarrhoea or constipation, it is advisable to consult the doctor for evaluation. Besides indigestion, experiencing pain or burning sensation in the throat or chest while swallowing is a sign of throat or stomach cancer and needs to be checked in time. Abnormal bladder pattern Changes in bladder pattern including urinary incontinence, blood in urine, discomfort while passing urine or recurring urinary infections are symptoms of bladder and male prostate cancer. Consulting a doctor is crucial to avoid complications. Unexplained exhaustion Exhaustion despite adequate sleep and rest and lack of energy without physical exertion are also causes for concern. Patients must consult their doctors on experiencing these cancer symptoms. To sum up Consulting the doctor on experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms of cancer in men is critical. It will help in the early detection of the disease. It will also enable the doctor to plan the ideal line of treatment. Furthermore, it will help the patient plan strategies for cancer care with their doctor which will improve their chances of recovery.

Prostate cancer

Men's health special: What does prostate problems feel like?

The prostate is a small gland in men, which is located between the urinary bladder and penis just in front of the rectum. This gland makes secretions that contribute to semen and nourish sperms. Just like any other body organ, the prostate gland can also be affected by a number of health issues. Generally, it is a walnut-sized organ. However, its size tends to grow as men get older. The prostate gland can get inflamed too. In fact, prostate problems become increasingly common after age 50. The best part is knowing about these issues can help you take the preventive steps for prostate-related issues while you still can. Symptoms of prostate problems The symptoms of prostate problems might depend on the underlying cause and condition. At large, urination-related problems generally appear with most of them. Do check with your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms: Frequent urge to urinateFrequent waking at night to urinateDifficulty starting urinationInability to empty bladder completelyBlood in urine or semenPain or burning sensation while passing urineDribbling of urinePainful ejaculationFrequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvic area, or upper thighs Common prostate problems affecting men Enlarged prostate: The age-associated enlargement of the prostate gland is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. This is very common in older men. Please note this prostate enlargement is non-cancerous. There is no known cause, but healthcare experts say that it is usually linked to hormonal changes a man’s body goes through while one age. The treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms. You can be given medicines that help shrink the size of the prostate or relax the muscles near your prostate to improve the symptoms. Your doctor might also recommend surgery. Certain other treatment options like lasers are also available. Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer which when detected early, can be completely treated. The symptoms include common problems associated with urination and thus people may ignore them considering aging signs. Hence those with risk factors including men above 50 years of age or having a family history of prostate cancer (father, brother, etc had been diagnosed with prostate cancer) should get screened for prostate cancer to keep an eye on their prostate health. The two tests used for prostate cancer screening include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and a digital rectal examination (DRE). While the PSA test looks for PSA levels that can be high in men with an enlarged prostate gland or with prostate cancer, the DRE can help your doctor manually check any hard areas, lumps, or growth spreading beyond the prostate, any pain while pressing the prostate, or any change in the texture or size of the gland. Most doctors might suggest annual PSA testing for all men starting at age 50. Men at high risk of prostate cancer can also be asked to start screening even earlier. Consult with your doctor to know what is best for you. Treatment for prostate cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy. Your doctor knows the best about the treatment options. Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland, called prostatitis, is another common condition that affects up to one in six men at some point in their lifetimes. Unlike the enlarged prostate and prostate cancer that are largely seen in old age, prostatitis affects men of all ages. The causes of the inflammation can range from a bacterial infection, to stress and mechanical or neuromuscular issues in the pelvic muscles that tend to irritate the area. At large, prostatitis can be of four types: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. Acute bacterial prostatitis can give you fever, chills, or pain in addition to prostate symptoms. The good news is most cases can be treated with antibiotics. If an infection keeps on coming back time and again, it might be chronic bacterial prostatitis. It might need long-term treatment with antibiotics. Other chronic forms that are not caused due to infection might require a combination of medicines, surgery, and lifestyle changes. While certain risk factors such as aging and family history are not changeable, you can make simple changes in your lifestyle that can help lower your risk of developing prostate problems. Certain studies have stated that men who ate a high-fat diet were at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer. Include sufficient amounts of antioxidant-rich food like tomatoes, green leafy vegetables in your diet and reduce intake of unhealthy fats like trans fats. Make sure that you are keeping yourself physically active. You do not need to sweat it out at all times, simple steps like walking at a moderate pace for 30 minutes a day on at least 5 days in a week can go a long way. Also, make sure to schedule your PSA test at a frequency advised by your doctor. 

Do you have any queries?