Prostate cancer is one of the forms of cancer which has been growing significantly according to national cancer registry. Globally Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide and this seems to be applicable to India too. “The prostate cancer burden is expected to grow to 1.7 million new cases by 2030 due to the growth and aging of the population worldwide.” informs Dr. Balchandra Kashyapi, Onco-urologist, Jehangir Hospital, Pune. September is globally observed as prostate cancer awareness month.
About 6 in 10 cases of prostate cancer are found in men over the age of 65. Informs Dr. Hrishikesh Deshmukh, Urologist, Institute of Prostate Cancer, Pune.
“Prostate cancer could be diagnosed with a blood test showing elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland and also DRE (Digital Rectal Examination).” Men with a PSA level between 4 and 10 have about a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer. If the PSA is more than 10, the chance of having prostate cancer is over 50%.
While the exact cause of prostate cancer is not known till date, men can do some things that might lower the risk of having prostate cancer. Include variety of vegetables and fruits in your daily diet. Be physically active and watch your weight.
While the exact causes of prostate cancer is still unknown, some studies have found that obese men may be at greater risk for having more advanced prostate cancer and of dying from it. Experts believe that a steady rise of obesity in men coupled with easy access to diagnostic techniques has resulted to the significant rise in the number of people suffering from prostate cancer.
Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms but can be detected by screening – although it may remain latent in the body without ever causing harm. With more advanced cases of the disease, men may experience weak or interrupted urine flow; the inability to urinate or difficulty starting or stopping urine flow; the need to urinate frequently, especially at night; blood in the urine; or pain or burning with urination.