What is prostate cancer?

FAQs:

الأسئلة الشائعة:

Inclusions:

• What is the diet to be followed when one gets prostate cancer?

  A: Avoid fat from red meat, as it may boost male hormone levels which in turn encourages the growth of cancerous prostate cells. Increase fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily intake.

• Are there other diseases with similar symptoms as prostate cancer?

  A: Enlarged prostate problem called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or another problem called prostatitis may have symptoms similar to prostate cancer. At Medcare, you can consult a specialist and get the necessary diagnostic tests to identify what the problem is exactly.

• Can prostate cancer spread to other parts of the body?

  A: If the cancer spreads beyond the prostate, it may either spread to the area just outside the prostate, called ‘locally advanced prostate cancer’, or it may spread to other parts of the body, called ‘advanced prostate cancer’.

• Is it advisable for healthy men to get themselves screened for prostate cancer?

  A: You should discuss this with your doctor. Depending on your age and health, your doctor may advise regular screening for prostate cancer. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test and can help to detect prostate cancer early. Early detection greatly increases the chances of a full cure.

• What are the 5 warning signs of prostate cancer?

  A: Five of the most common signs of prostate cancer are:

  Hesitancy or difficulty in urinating – It is a late symptom because cancer in later stages exerts pressure on the urethra which impedes urine flow.

  Blood in the urine, sudden urge to urinate and frequent urination, pain while urinating and loss of urine flow, and blood in semen are some other symptoms of prostate cancer you must keep an eye on.

  These symptoms do not establish whether or not you have prostate cancer and must be taken up with your doctor. A precaution that you should take is to start annual PSA tests, especially after the age of 45.

  Facing one or a combination of these symptoms? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today for a consultation.

• What is a dangerous PSA level?

  A: PSA levels are deemed suspicious if they are above four ng/mL and anything below 2.6 ng/mL is considered safe. The in-between stage calls for caution and 10.0 ng/mL and above is alarming and most probably a sign of prostate cancer.

  However, determining the accuracy of PSA testing has proved difficult. This is due to the fact that most men with average PSA values avoid such tests unless their Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), which is a cancer test comes out abnormal.       

  Also, sometimes, a man with no prostate cancer symptoms may exhibit high PSA levels in a random prostate cancer screening. If that happens, doctors might recommend further PSA tests with DREs.

  Want to get your PSA levels checked? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today.

• Can prostate cancer be cured?

  A: The first thing to remember about prostate cancer is that not everyone may need treatment; active surveillance works for many men. Secondly, prostate cancer can be cured if it is detected early and happens to be localised.

  There are two ways to cure it, surgery or radiation therapy. Other methods like microwave heating or laser ablation are not cures by themselves but are used when cancer recurs after primary treatment.

  Hormone therapy is also suggested sometimes, but it can only stop the progression of prostate cancer and reduce PSA levels. It cannot cure the disease entirely. Its benefits are also temporary.

  Need a permanent cure for your prostate cancer? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today.

• How can I lower my PSA level quickly?

  A: While age and genetics play a significant role in managing Prostate-specific antigen or PSA levels, lifestyle changes can be crucial for maintaining them. You can reduce your PSA levels easily if you enrich your diet with tomatoes which are rich in antioxidants, lean proteins and Vitamin D; these are known to lower the risk of prostate cancer. 

  You can get more protein from fish, chicken, soy, while Vitamin D can come from fish, eggs and cereals. Drinking green tea and exercising are also crucial as a high BMI can upset PSA readings. Lastly, manage your stress level as it can impact your PSA as well.

  Want to manage your PSA effectively? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today.

• What is the best treatment for early stages of prostate cancer?

  A: If prostate cancer is detected early, we usually recommend either watchful waiting or surgery and radiation therapy.

  This is because, during the first two stages, cancer has not spread outside the prostate glands. Treatment at an early stage can often backfire as the cancer is small and grows slowly, which is why watchful waiting is usually recommended. 

  Surgery and radiation therapy, on the other hand, can efficiently target cancer, which is still limited to the prostate gland, by killing the cancer cells. However, factors such as the patient’s age, health, life expectancy and personal preferences are also considered when weighing treatment options.

  Not sure what the correct treatment for prostate cancer is? Book an appointment and consult a Medcare specialist today.