Oncologist Reveals Hidden Prostate Cancer Signs, Screening’s Lifesaving Role

Prostate cancer, a common threat for men, often hides its presence. Understanding its subtle early signals and the importance of timely detection can significantly improve outcomes. Dr. Ravi Chandran K, a leading uro-oncologist, highlights crucial symptoms and treatment avenues for this prevalent disease.

Unveiling the Subtle Signals

Early prostate cancer often presents no symptoms, necessitating regular check-ups for those at higher risk. Common indicators, according to Dr. Ravi, include urinary difficulties such as frequent urination, reduced flow, urgency, and painful urination.

Other symptoms may involve blood in urine or semen and new erectile function issues. Recurring pain in the lower pelvis, hips, or lower back could indicate the cancer has spread. However, these symptoms can also stem from benign conditions, requiring careful medical evaluation.

Diagnostic Procedures

Early diagnosis dramatically enhances treatment success. The two main screening tests include the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test and the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). Elevated PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer, though other conditions can cause this. Abnormal results warrant further tests.

Treatment Options

Treatment decisions depend on cancer stage, biopsy results, PSA levels, age, health, and personal preferences. Active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and radioligand therapy are potential treatment options.

The National Cancer Institute reports that the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is nearly 100% when detected early and confined to the prostate, underscoring the importance of regular screening and early detection.

Treatment Details

Men with slower-growing, low-risk cancer may choose active surveillance. This involves monitoring PSA levels, repeated MRIs, and possible biopsies. The approach aims to manage the cancer closely, intervening when early signs of progression emerge.

Radical Prostatectomy is another treatment option, involving the removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Robot-assisted surgery is the standard, providing good outcomes while minimizing side effects.

Radiation therapy, through external beams or internal seeds (brachytherapy), can treat localized or locally advanced disease. Side effects include urinary, bowel, and sexual issues, often manageable. Hormone therapy aims to reduce testosterone, the fuel for prostate cancer, frequently used alongside radiation in high-risk cases.

Chemotherapy targets high-risk or advanced cases, slowing progression and improving survival. Other options include targeted and immunotherapy, with radioligand therapy emerging for metastatic disease, using radioactive molecules targeting prostate-specific markers.

Living with Prostate Cancer

A prostate cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but early detection often leads to curative treatments. Multidisciplinary care, including urologists, oncologists, psychologists, and dietitians, supports patients through the challenges of treatment and beyond.

Dr. Ravi concludes, “Prostate cancer is considerably more common in men than you may realise, and if caught early enough, awareness, timely detection, and access to the right interventions can often lead to curative treatment.” He emphasizes consulting a urologist/uro-oncologist for screening, especially for those over 50 or with risk factors.