Prostate cancer is a very frightening diagnosis. Unfortunately, it is also quite common, as 1 out of 9 men will end up with a diagnosis of prostate cancer at some point in their lives. This is why it’s important to protect your prostate health. Whether focusing on diet or utilizing certain prostate health supplements
Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men, second only to skin cancer. While many of us may know that avoiding the sun and wearing sunscreen can help reduce the risk of skin cancer, many may not recognize methods for addressing prostate cancer. A healthy diet and sufficient physical exercise are two excellent ways to stave off the threat of prostate cancer, in addition to taking certain vitamins and supplements.
However, despite these efforts, there still may be a risk of developing prostate cancer. If you live with prostate cancer or have risk factors of developing the condition, you are likely very interested in the best treatment options.
Once prostate cancer has developed, though, more aggressive tactics need to be employed. This article will discuss some of the top treatment options for responding to prostate cancer. Continue reading to learn more about prostate cancer and the potential treatment options currently available for this condition.
What is Prostate Cancer?
As the name suggests, prostate cancer is a cancer of the prostate, which is a small gland in men that produces the fluid that transports and protects sperm. Common symptoms for this type of cancer include difficulty urinating, frequent urination, erectile dysfunction, and discomfort in the pelvic region.
Compared to other forms of cancer, prostate cancer is typically slow growing and doesn’t grow beyond the prostate itself. However, this is not always the case as some prostate cancer can develop rapidly and pose a serious health risk. If you believe you may be suffering from this cancer, it’s critical to reach out to a medical professional as soon as possible to receive a complete diagnosis.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Your prostate cancer is unique to you, and though your doctor will undoubtedly recommend certain treatment options, in the end, you have the final say. Depending on the stage of your disease and how far your tumor has spread, in addition to the state of your overall health, your recommended treatment options will vary.
However, certain treatment options are very popular among prostate cancer patients across the board. Some of the methods you might encounter if you’ve received a prostate cancer diagnosis include:
- Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy is frequently used for treating prostate cancer because it has less potential for severe side-effects than other treatments. Prostate cancer requires male hormones to continue to grow. Hormone therapy is also known as androgen deprivation therapy. Sometimes, hormone therapy can respond to prostate cancer by lowering the overall level of testosterone in the body, while other times, it simply blocks how hormones work.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is one of the most popular treatment options for all forms of cancer. Chemotherapy drugs are often given through an IV on a scheduled basis; however, they can also be received orally. The goal of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells, and, as a result, shrink tumors. If your cancer has spread outside of your prostate, it’s likely your doctor will encourage chemotherapy as it is a more aggressive treatment option. It is also a popular treatment if hormone therapy has not proven effective.
- Surgery: Surgery is another common treatment option for prostate cancer. Your doctor may approach surgery in a number of ways. They may opt to remove the entire prostate gland or they may simply remove the tissue surrounding the prostate. Protecting the nerves around the prostate can help to reduce the risk of side effects from the surgery. Some of the most prominent side effects include trouble getting and maintaining an erection and urinary incontinence.
- Radiation: Another treatment option that your doctor might consider for your prostate cancer is radiation. Radiation uses high-energy beams that can penetrate down to the cellular level to attack and kill cancer cells. Your doctor may use radiation following chemotherapy or surgery if there are leftover cancer cells. If cancer cells are left over, they can continue multiplying, leaving your cancer to grow again.
Radiation is also helpful when your cancer has spread to the bone and other treatment options are unable to reach it. Radiation can be external or internal. External radiation is when a machine is outside your body, and a doctor positions it towards your cancer cells. Internal radiation is also known as brachytherapy, and that is when a doctor performs surgery to place small pieces of radioactive material, or “seeds,” into your body near the cancer cells.
- Cryotherapy or Cryosurgery: This treatment option isn’t as prolific as the previously mentioned options, but some doctors do encourage it in early prostate cancer cases. This is a relatively minor form of surgery wherein your doctor will place small needles or probes into your prostate and administer freezing gas directly into the gland that is designed to kill the cancer cells.
- Prostate Cancer Vaccine: Again, this is one of the less popular treatment options for prostate cancer. However, it has been shown to help men live longer with prostate cancer. It helps to boost your body’s immune system so that it can fight to attack cancer cells. This treatment is often used after successful hormone therapy that is no longer working.
- Immunotherapy: This form of therapy works in conjunction with your immune system to fight prostate cancer. It is typically only recommended in advanced forms of prostate cancer.
Conclusion- Best Treatment Options to Fight Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can indeed be a frightening and challenging experience. However, because this form of cancer is so common, many different treatment options have been developed. The most popular treatment options for prostate cancer include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery to remove the affected gland and potentially the surrounding tissue or choosing a supplement such as Prostate911.
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it’s important to work closely with your doctor. Make sure that you understand all the potential side effects that can come along with your treatment options and be sure to ask questions. Remember, while your doctor will advise you, a treatment option is your decision and you should choose the one you think will be most beneficial to your overall health.
