Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of prostate cancer. The 82-year-old had medical checks last week after there was an increase in urinary problems, a statement said. This news has triggered more talk on the disease, its early signs, treatment, and survival.
In a post dated May 19, Dr Jayesh Sharma, cancer surgeon and oncologist who specializes in oral cancers and breast cancers pointed out the significance of noticing early signs of prostate cancer. He reiterated that diagnosis, even in stage 4, does not mean the game is over. “A stage 4 prostate cancer doesn’t mean ‘it’s over’,” he assured.
Dr Jayesh states three significant symptoms to pay attention to are:
- Weak urinary stream
- More frequent urination during night
- In order to identify the disease in the early stages, the following tests are essential:
- PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test
- Biopsy scan
These tests aid in identifying issues in the prostate gland at an early stage before they become advanced.
Five Early Signs to Watch Out For
Dr M Srinivas Reddy, senior consultant surgical oncologist at Hyderabad’s Kamineni Hospitals, explained to HT Lifestyle about the five warning signs to watch out for:
- Urination difficulties
- Frequent need to urinate
- Burning feeling while urinating
- Pain in the pelvic area or lower back
Visible prostate gland enlargement
“If you happen to have any of these symptoms, it is necessary to get screened for prostate cancer as early as possible. These conditions may lead to issues regarding bladder and urethra function, so it is necessary to get a PSA screening test conducted if you wish to eliminate any prostate issues,” Dr Reddy cautioned.
Life Expectancy and Treatment Outlook
Prostate cancer, as stated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide and comes in at number six in cancer deaths. PSA tests, MRI scans, and biopsies are standard tests for diagnosis, but the use of PSA for screening on a regular basis is controversial.
On the issue of survival, Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Centre’s Dr Matthew Smith told the Associated Press: “It’s very treatable, but not curable.” He further said that patients with metastatic prostate cancer now have the likelihood of surviving for about four to five years due to new therapies. Hormone therapy (Androgen Deprivation Therapy or ADT) is typically the initial treatment in such instances.
Causes and Risk Factors
Talking about what causes prostate cancer, Dr Preetham Dev, urologist and uro-oncologist at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, said that the condition could be due to both avoidable and unavoidable reasons.
“Modifiable factors may be diet, obesity, smoking, chemical exposure and sexually transmitted infections. Long-term smoking also poses a higher risk of prostate cancer. Non-modifiable factors are age, family history, etc. Therefore, men should be aware of the risk factors and report to their doctor if any ill effects are observed,” he said.
Disclaimer: This article is meant for informational purposes only. If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms, please refer to a health professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
