Worldwide, the risk of cancer is rising quickly. Men are most likely to report cases of lung and prostate cancer, while women are most at risk for breast and cervical cancer. In addition, other forms of cancer claim the lives of thousands of people each year. According to studies, the risk of cancer is further enhanced by people’s increasingly unhealthy lifestyles and the food that is contaminated with many dangerous chemicals that we all consume on a daily basis. Researchers have released a strong warning in a recent study that is related to this.
According to The Lancet Commission’s analysis of numerous studies, prostate cancer will become a significant hazard in the years to come. Researchers have issued a warning, citing statistics that point to a potential “tsunami of prostate cancer,” which is increasing concerns about an inevitable rise in the disease’s incidence worldwide. This will not only increase the pressure on the health sector globally, but concerns have also been raised about the increase in mortality due to cancer.
In the study report, scientists said that by the year 2040, prostate cancer cases worldwide may double to more than 2.9 million (29 lakh). Apart from this, there is a possibility of 85% increase in the number of deaths, which can lead to more than seven lakh deaths.
In an interview, Prof. Chintamani, The Chairman of Surgical Oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, stated “There are many other cancers that are common, but prostate cancer is the one that is rapidly rising. Prostate cancer is a very important cancer amongst men. That goes usually unnoticed because the symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of any prostate that is grown in size, a phenomenon which is normal and physiological. Prostate growth begins in many people beyond the age of 50, or in between 40s and 50s. This is the age at which this cancer is most commonly diagnosed. Moreover, therefore, the issue is the potential for confusion as benign prostatic Hypertrophy to be mistaken for Prostatic Cancer.”
He continued “The usual reasons could be, some people believe it to be related to genetics, and we know of various genetic bases to breast cancer. Prosthetic Cancer being also a contributor. It’s like breast cancer in females; prostate cancer in males is hormone dependent. Now, breast cancer depends on estrogen. The while the prosthetic cancer depends on androgen. So wherever the levels of androgen are higher, the chances are higher”.
“The detection is possible if all patients with prostatic symptoms, which could be urgency frequency, precipitancy, and frequency of urine. Dysuria means pain in passing urine, nighttime frequency increasing. Mostly happens in older people, these patients should always be screened for prostatic cancer. And simple method is good digital examination by a clinician and PSA estimation, serum PSA (prostate specific antigen), which usually is beyond point 0.4 or beyond that level we suspect it to be rising. In India, the screening doesn’t happen. Therefore, we need to make men aware of this as a problem. Secondly, the physicians also should know when they’re treating a patient for Prostatic Hypertrophy; they should be investigated also for the prostate cancer.”
Lastly he added, “If detected early, it’s a curable cancer. Survival is more than 90% in early cancers if they’re treated in time. Robotic prostatectomy is one treatment in the early stages. If it has gone beyond the prostate to spread to other organs, then mostly it’s a hormonal treatment and certain targeted therapies are available. When it goes to distant places, the most common site is bones. And sometimes patients can present with bone pains only. The symptoms can therefore be variable and one has to keep his eyes and ears open to what the patient is saying to make a diagnosis.”
For early detection and successful treatment of prostate cancer, routine screenings and knowledge of the disease’s risk factors are crucial. To make well-informed choices about prostate cancer screening and prevention, men should talk to their healthcare providers about their specific risk factors and screening alternatives.
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