15 Feb Prostate Cancer: Ways to Manage and Live a Healthier Life
Men across the globe have to deal with one of the common forms of cancers which is prostate cancer. Not all types of prostate cancer progress at the same rate. There are some cancers that are slow developing and some that are aggressive and need immediate treatment.
It is important to understand the diagnsosis and treatment modalities which can be offered clinically and also through natural means. All men should be sure to discuss their prostate health with their medical provider on a regular basis.
Natural Approaches to Manage Prostate Health
Dietary Approach
Use green tea as it may exert anti-cancer effects. Consume greater amounts of fish to reduce inflammation as well as increase omega-3 fatty acids. Eat more broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables for their detoxification properties.
Lifestyle Approach
Regular exercise is vital, such as walking, yoga or strength training. Maintain an appropriate weight to help control the progress of cancer. Lessening the intake of cigarettes and alcohol is also important.
Stress Management
- Deep breathing exercises coupled with meditation are very beneficial.
- Mental hobbies and social activities are the best when it comes to improving and maintaining wellbeing.
- Good, sufficient rest is very crucial for improving one’s health.
- Supportive family and friends during treatment for one’s emotional and mental stability is very essential.
Herbal Supplements and Remedies
Please note: Supplements are generally not FDA tested or approved. Supplements should not be taken as a substitute for regular prostate screening. Some supplements can interfere with medications and/or cause side effects. Do not delay seeking medical attention for medical concerns by taking supplements without medical advice. Medications obtained over the counter or via the internet may not be identical to brand name medications.
Please discuss any and all medications and supplements you take with your health care provider and be sure to follow your provider’s recommendations for your prostate and overall health.
Saw Palmetto
This supplement may be effective in treating prostate health and is alleged to improve urinary function.
Reishi Mushroom: May be useful for enhancing immunity.
Turmeric (Curcumin): Has some cancer preventive and anti-inflammatory value in addition to some posible anti-tumor activity.
Curcumin has a reputation for anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities.
Prostate Cancer Treatments
Treating prostate cancer depending on a patient’s general health status, aggressiveness, and stage of cancer, treatment of prostate cancer varies.
Surgery (Prostatectomy)
Removeal of cancerous prostate in order to eliminate prostate carcinoma. Most patients with well-contained cancer that is within the prostate are candidates for this procedure.
Radiation Therapy
This is often a common method to treat both early and late stage prostate cancer. Radiation therapy uses radiation in high energy rays to kill cancerous cells.
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): This is where outside the body radiation is directed to the tumour.
Brachytherapy (Internal Radiation): This type of radiation embeds radioactive seeds within the prostate, which helps to continuously irradiate the targeted area.
Chemotherapy
Most prostate cancers that are advanced contain rapidly growing cells. These cells are targeted and killed using drugs in a procedure called chemotherapy.
Medications
Medications for prostate cancer have in particular shown a positive impact on patients with metastatic cancer. As newer studies indicate, utilizing them can increase the life span for a patient suffering from various cancerous ailments.
Apalutamide (Erleada): Apalutamide blocks androgen receptors and is approved for non-metastatic prostate cancer with castration. Provides management of cancer prevention metastases.
Abiraterone (Zytiga): Useful for patients suffering from prostate cancer who are unresponsive to hormone therapies. Abiraterone price can be more affordable. if you choose generic so it is a great option for patients with advanced prostate cancer. However, generic abiraterone may not be FDA tested or approved. Abiraterone can interact with many other medicines and should only be taken under your health care provider’s direction.
Darolutamide (Nubeqa): Another cancer androgen receptor blocker focused on dealing with prostate cancer progression.
Docetaxel (Taxotere): Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic drug that acts during the mitotic phase of the cancer cell cycle. Improves the prognosis of those suffering from advanced prostate cancer.
Enzalutamide (Xtandi): Enzalutamide price may provide greater survival benefit along with improved quality of life in patients with advance prostate cancer. Generic enzalutamide may not be FDA tested or approved. enzalutamide can interact with many other medicines and should only be taken under your health care provider’s direction.
Tests and Diagnosis Pertaining to Prostate Cancer
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA Test)
This test measures the quantity of prostate specific antigen in the blood. For most patients with prostate cancer, PSA levels increase. It must be remembered that prostate inflammation and benign prostatic hyperplasia also result in increased PSA.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
In a DRE, the physician uses a gloved hand to palpate tumors in the prostate through the rectum. It also helps to evaluate lumps, tissue that have become unusually hardened or other aberrations of tissue.
Prostate Biopsy
Prostate biopsy is performed when DRE abnormalities or elevated PSA levels are detected. The procedure involves the use of a thin needle that extracts small tissue samples from the prostate gland. A pathologist then examines the specimens collected under a microscope to check for any cancer cells.
Genetic Testing
The examination of genes such as BRCA 1, BRCA 2, or any mutations associated with Lynch syndrome allows for focused genetic testing. Some prostate cancers in men with aggressive forms have the mutations mentioned above.
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Causes of Prostate Cancer
The causes for prostate cancer remain uncertain but there is a general agreement among specialists that its origin lies in the alteration of structure of certain cells in the prostate gland which results in its unabated growth.
Normally, tissue is a collection of myriad cells that multiply and die in a precise order, however, cancer cells are not ordinary. Those cells undergo uncontrolled division at a gradual rate, which results in the formation of tissue bulge, which is termed as a tumour.
Eventually, some of these infused cells will separate and migrate to other regions of the body, leading to what is termed as metastatic cancer. How this phenomenon occurs is still under investigation, but genetic alteration, changes in hormones, as well as environmental factors may trigger some forms of prostate cancer.
It’s important to note that, while prostate cancer is common among men, male breast cancer can also occur, though less frequently. Just as men should stay vigilant about prostate health, they should also be aware of other potential health risks that could arise, including the rare possibility of developing breast cancer. Early awareness and screening can help detect any signs, leading to more effective treatment.
Conclusion
While prostate cancer can be serious, most patients can be managed with the proper treatment. With the use of medications, the survival rates for prostate cancer patients has greatly improved. These medications are becoming less expensive which increases accessibility as well. Patients may need to take a combination of surgical, medications routine examinations, and changes in their daily life.
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Last Updated on March 15, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD