The best prostate cancer resources: 5 questions to help cope

When faced with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, a person undergoes a diverse range of emotions: fear, anxiety, depression, shock, and even rage are understandably the typical reactions. However, as the test results begin to appear and provide confirmation in black and white, the focus shifts to learning to accept and cope. There are serious physical, financial, and emotional ramifications to consider and deal with.

Apart from the patient, the family and friends of the patient also need information and support. As with any life-threatening illness or condition, information is the key to control and management.

What does one need to know about prostate cancer?

• The treating physician and oncologist can provide detailed information and access to prostate cancer resources.
• This is a cancer that arises in the prostate gland in men. This gland produces seminal fluid that helps transport sperm.
• Prostate cancer is slightly different from other forms, because, as per resources, it is usually very slow to develop.
• The symptoms or problems may not be present till the cancer is in its advanced stages.
• Monitoring the type and stage of cancer helps in control and management.

What are some of the risk factors?

• African-American men seem to be more vulnerable as compared to non-Hispanic white men, for reasons that are not yet clear.
• Family history plays a vital role. In 20% of the cases, a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) already has the condition.
• Vietnam war veterans show increased risk if they have been exposed to Agent Orange.
• Diet and nutritional factors, high blood pressure, obesity, regular consumption of high-fat, processed food, lack of minerals/vitamins in the diet through vegetables and fruits and unhealthy lifestyles, sexually-transmitted infections, and lack of exercise may increase the risk factor.

Are there any signs and symptoms?

• There are few or no symptoms in the early stages, because this is a very slow-growing cancer.
• Frequent urination, especially at night, problems with starting and maintaining a continuous stream, blood traces in the urine, difficulty in passing urine while standing up, sexual dysfunction, etc. are early stage symptoms.
• In the later stages, hip, pelvic, and leg pains, rib, or vertebral pains can occur due to the spread of cancer. Urinary and fecal incontinence is observed.

What are the treatment options?

• A multi-disciplinary approach is needed; doctors, oncologists, surgeons, oncology nursing-staff, pharmacologists, radiation oncologists, palliative care experts, physician assistants, social workers, counselors, dietitians, and physiotherapists have to work as a team.
• It’s important that one’s doctor keeps them informed about the treatment options available and helps them choose the most appropriate one.
• Treatment options are based on grading, typing, and staging of the cancer.
• In Stages 1 and 2 (early stage), treatment options include radiation, clinical trials, and surgery.
• In Stage 3 (locally advanced), radical surgery with the removal of lymph nodes is recommended.
• For the very early stage, active surveillance and watchful waiting are required.
• In men who are not expected to live for more than 5 years due to other health problems, watchful waiting with palliative care is prescribed.
• Robotic or laparoscopic surgery is recommended.
• Removal of both testicles as a prevention.
• Focal therapies like cryosurgery, high-focused ultrasound, systemic treatments like chemotherapy, and androgen deprivation therapy are other options.

What are the new areas of prostate cancer research?

• Research in this field includes drug discovery and development, news and information about new facts regarding prostate cancer, and drug approval and labeling information.
• Patients are encouraged to explore research journals that give information about clinical trials; there are many websites and journal articles that serve as prostate cancer resources, giving information about proposed or ongoing clinical trials.
• The treating doctors can recommend suitable clinical trials.
• New anti-androgen medications bring testosterone levels down and starve the cancer cells to death.
• Combination of different therapies and radiation are being studied.
• Immunotherapy drugs are used in combination with radiation.
• Metformin is a cheaper and safer alternative, and studies are being conducted to examine its effectiveness along with other complementary therapies.