However, sufferers may rarely show symptoms at an early stage, said Dr SK Pal, Urologist, Apollo Spectra Delhi, Nehru Enclave, adding that there are certain “red flags” that should not be missed. “You should seek immediate medical attention as soon as you notice any of these symptoms,” he said. Hence, this Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, observed every year in September, read on to learn more about this type of cancer. What is the prostate? The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland located in a man’s pelvic area next to the bladder. It is known to perform many important functions such as the production of the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports the sperm. However, despite the fact that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the male population, many cases remain unknown until late because it does not produce significant symptoms until it has spread extensively to the bones or other organs of the body. “This is due to a lack of awareness, a tendency to ignore minor symptoms, self-abnegation and avoiding annual health check-ups until serious problems start to cause significant urinary disturbances,” Dr Pal explained. The causes of this type of cancer are not yet known, but its genetic predisposition has been documented. “Prostate cancer is 10 times more common in men with a family history of the disease than in the general population. Hence, awareness and early diagnosis are key to its treatment,” said Dr Pal. Buy Now | Our best subscription plan now has a special price Signs and symptoms *A pain or burning sensation when urinating or ejaculating *Frequent urination mainly at night: If you happen to make frequent trips to the bathroom during the night, be alert. It may just be an age-related enlargement of the prostate gland or even prostate cancer. A simple blood test to measure serum PSA will differentiate between them. *Difficulty stopping or starting urination *Blood in the urine or semen *Other symptoms of this cancer include sudden retention and complete inability to urinate, loss of bladder control, swelling in the pelvic area and bone pain and easy bone fractures with minor injuries or otherwise. Keep these signs and symptoms in mind when it comes to prostate cancer (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock) Diagnosis A full body examination will be done to look for unusual symptoms such as lumps. A blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can be helpful in diagnosing prostate cancer. A digital rectal exam (DRE) may also be done to confirm if someone has cancer. Along with this, a rectal biopsy may also be helpful. Treatment Once the diagnosis is confirmed, you should start treatment on an immediate basis. Treatment options are based on several factors such as the type and stage of the cancer, potential side effects, and the patient’s overall well-being and life expectancy, Dr. Pal said. The first step is to confirm with appropriate tests that this cancer is still located within the prostate gland or has already spread to the bones, lymph nodes, lungs or other parts of the body. If the cancer is found to be within the confines of the prostate gland, this is still good news because appropriate radical surgery can still provide a cure. “In other cases, hormone therapy, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be started to help someone fight cancer. High-intensity focused ultrasound directs high-energy sound waves at cancer cells and is also used in some cases of prostate cancer. Hormone therapy tends to prevent cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. Radical prostatectomy means the surgical removal of the entire prostate. Robotic or laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is less invasive with a shorter recovery period,” said Dr Pal. Along with treatment, one should adopt a healthy lifestyle. 📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss the latest updates!
title: “Why Men Should Seek Immediate Medical Attention To Experience Symptoms Such As Difficulty Urinating Blood In The Semen Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-08” author: “Nora Brown”
However, sufferers may rarely show symptoms at an early stage, said Dr SK Pal, Urologist, Apollo Spectra Delhi, Nehru Enclave, adding that there are certain “red flags” that should not be missed. “You should seek immediate medical attention as soon as you notice any of these symptoms,” he said. Hence, this Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, observed every year in September, read on to learn more about this type of cancer. What is the prostate? The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland located in a man’s pelvic area next to the bladder. It is known to perform many important functions such as the production of the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports the sperm. However, despite the fact that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the male population, many cases remain unknown until late because it does not produce significant symptoms until it has spread extensively to the bones or other organs of the body. “This is due to a lack of awareness, a tendency to ignore minor symptoms, self-abnegation and avoiding annual health check-ups until serious problems start to cause significant urinary disturbances,” Dr Pal explained. The causes of this type of cancer are not yet known, but its genetic predisposition has been documented. “Prostate cancer is 10 times more common in men with a family history of the disease than in the general population. Hence, awareness and early diagnosis are key to its treatment,” said Dr Pal. Buy Now | Our best subscription plan now has a special price Signs and symptoms *A pain or burning sensation when urinating or ejaculating *Frequent urination mainly at night: If you happen to make frequent trips to the bathroom during the night, be alert. It may just be an age-related enlargement of the prostate gland or even prostate cancer. A simple blood test to measure serum PSA will differentiate between them. *Difficulty stopping or starting urination *Blood in the urine or semen *Other symptoms of this cancer include sudden retention and complete inability to urinate, loss of bladder control, swelling in the pelvic area and bone pain and easy bone fractures with minor injuries or otherwise. Keep these signs and symptoms in mind when it comes to prostate cancer (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock) Diagnosis A full body examination will be done to look for unusual symptoms such as lumps. A blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can be helpful in diagnosing prostate cancer. A digital rectal exam (DRE) may also be done to confirm if someone has cancer. Along with this, a rectal biopsy may also be helpful. Treatment Once the diagnosis is confirmed, you should start treatment on an immediate basis. Treatment options are based on several factors such as the type and stage of the cancer, potential side effects, and the patient’s overall well-being and life expectancy, Dr. Pal said. The first step is to confirm with appropriate tests that this cancer is still located within the prostate gland or has already spread to the bones, lymph nodes, lungs or other parts of the body. If the cancer is found to be within the confines of the prostate gland, this is still good news because appropriate radical surgery can still provide a cure. “In other cases, hormone therapy, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be started to help someone fight cancer. High-intensity focused ultrasound directs high-energy sound waves at cancer cells and is also used in some cases of prostate cancer. Hormone therapy tends to prevent cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. Radical prostatectomy means the surgical removal of the entire prostate. Robotic or laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is less invasive with a shorter recovery period,” said Dr Pal. Along with treatment, one should adopt a healthy lifestyle. 📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss the latest updates!