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Prostate cancer is a significant health concern, especially for men over age 50. If you are a man over 50 or know any, chances are you know someone who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The good news about prostate cancer is that even though a cancer diagnosis is one of the most stressful things that can happen to a person, typically the prognosis is good. Still, treating prostate cancer successfully depends on various factors, including how advanced the cancer has become, the patient’s overall health, individual preferences, and more.
In this article, we take a look at some of the primary treatment options and prostate cancer drugs. Read on for everything you need to know about treating prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer prevention
As with many cancers, one of the best forms of prevention is early detection. Men who are in their 40s and 50s should be aware of annual testing they should start requesting from their doctor if it has not already been recommended.
According to CNN, “One vital tool in this quest to diagnose and treat this common cancer is prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, testing, which is a simple blood test offering valuable insights into prostate health. By the age of 50, men should be having the test done annually. If you have a family history, have risk factors, or if you are Black, you may need to start as early as age 40.”
Detecting prostate cancer early is key. Even the average man should consider getting this blood test during his routine annual checkup with his primary care doctor.
Did you know that if you often wake during the night, you may be at increased risk for prostate cancer?
According to Daily Mail, “Men who wake in the night are 20 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer … Researchers found that broken sleep patterns could be a major risk for the onset of the disease. But the analysis suggested no link between late nights and cancer – nor any connection with problems getting to sleep in the first place.”
The danger is even higher for men who toss and turn for at least half an hour once they turn off the lights to go to sleep.
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer, also known as Androgen Deprivation Therapy, is typically one of the first lines of defense when it comes to treating prostate cancer. This form of therapy lowers the testicles’ testosterone production.
Some common prostate cancer medications for Androgen Deprivation Therapy include leuprolide (Lupron), goserelin (Zoladex), triptorelin (Trelstar), and Abiraterone (Zytiga). Leuprorelin, goserelin, and triptorelin are luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists that suppress testosterone production, which can help to slow down cancer growth.
In a similar vein, bicalutamide and nilutamide are anti-androgens that block testosterone from reaching cancer cells. Drugs like degarelix (Firmagon) and relugolix (Orgovyx) are LHRH antagonists used for advanced prostate cancer, whereas anti-androgen drugs like bicalutamide (Casodex), nilutamide (Nilandron), and flutamide (Eulexin) prevent testosterone from fueling tumor growth.
There are also second-generation anti-androgens, including drugs like enzalutamide (Xtandi), apalutamide (Erleada), and darolutamide (Nubeqa), as well as estrogens, which may be considered if other treatments do not work.
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy for prostate cancer
According to Mesothelioma.com, chemotherapy is the use of drugs “to target and kill fast-growing cells.” Chemo drugs are typically used one at a time for advanced prostate cancer.
Docetaxel (Taxotere) is often the first chemotherapy drug given and is typically combined with a steroid drug. If it doesn’t work or stops working, doctors often turn to Cabazitaxel (Jevtana).
Immunotherapy, which “uses the body’s immune system to slow, stop and kill cancerous cells” (according to Mesothelioma.com) is another option.
Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) is a cancer vaccine that boosts the immune system to attack prostate cancer cells, and immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and dostarlimab (Jemperli) are also common forms of immunotherapy for prostate cancer.
In radiation therapy, high-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells.
Surgery for prostate cancer
Another common treatment for prostate cancer is surgery, or a radical prostatectomy procedure, which consists of removing the prostate gland, surrounding tissues, and lymph nodes. Another related procedure is an orchiectomy, which is removal of the testicles in an effort to reduce testosterone levels.
King Charles recently made headlines after having surgery for an enlarged prostate. The BBC reports, “The King, who is 75, was recently treated for benign prostate enlargement. He spent three nights at the London Clinic private hospital, after undergoing a ‘corrective procedure.’ Following the treatment, the Palace said the King would postpone his public engagements ‘to allow for a period of private recuperation.’ A ‘separate issue of concern’ was identified during his treatment and was subsequently diagnosed as a form of cancer.”
That is proof that prostate issues can happen to anyone, from the King of England to a commoner.
Natural treatments and lifestyle changes to treat prostate cancer
While natural treatment approaches such as supplements and lifestyle changes may not be a substitute for medical treatment, they can complement conventional approaches.
Ask your doctor about incorporating the following compounds into your prostate cancer treatment regimen:
* Curcumin has shown promise in reducing metastases in prostate cancer. You can get curcumin from turmeric; pair it with black pepper and some sort of fat or oil for better absorption.
* Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been linked to prostate cancer prevention and slowing prostate cancer cell growth.
* Ursolic acid is a cell growth regulator. You can find dietary sources of it in holy basil, prunes, bilberries, cranberries, apple peels, rosemary, oregano, and thyme.
* Resveratrol can enhance the effects of chemo and radiotherapy and block prostate cancer growth. Find it in red grapes, blueberries, cranberries, peanuts, pistachios, and dark chocolate. Yum!
* Lycopene, an antioxidant, has been associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer. In fact, according to CancerActive, “men who ate 5 or more helpings of tomatoes a week had a 35% lowered risk of prostate cancer and a 53% lowered risk of aggressive prostate cancer.” It’s most concentrated in tomatoes.
* Selenium plays a crucial role in overall health and may help protect against cancer. You can get a hearty dose of selenium in Brazil nuts, fish, poultry, and whole grains.
* Vitamin D has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer and is vital for overall health and immune function. You can get Vitamin D from moderate sun exposure, fortified foods, and supplements. Spend more time outdoors and see your mood and health improve.
You should always consult with a doctor before making any major changes to your diet or introducing new supplements.
However, many prostate cancer patients respond well to a holistic combination of conventional treatments and natural remedies like the above, which can improve overall wellbeing and support a man’s prostate health.
Other ways to treat prostate cancer or reduce the risk
There are many ways to prevent or treat prostate cancer. Sometimes doctors will opt to freeze prostate tissue to kill cancer cells, a procedure known as cryoablation.
Did you know that having more sex may also help to prevent prostate cancer? Procure reports, “Frequent use of the prostate through sexual activity may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Studies have suggested that the frequency of ejaculation, as well as exercise, leads to better prostate health.” Spend more time in the bedroom. It’s for your health!
Other recommendations for reducing prostate cancer risk include regular strenuous physical activity (and keeping excess weight off), reducing consumption of animal fat and red meat (a high-fat diet can cause the body to produce fewer antioxidants or overproduce free radicals in the body), eating less processed foods (especially meat) and dairy products, and eating a more colorful diet rich in green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits.
Don’t forget that prostate cancer treatments can have side effects like erectile dysfunction and incontinence. Moving forward on a treatment plan must take these possibilities into account, as not every type of treatment may be right for every person.
At the end of the day, it’s essential to remember that treatment decisions should be made alongside your doctor or trusted healthcare professional. In addition, moving forward on a treatment should take into account each person’s individual circumstances and preferences.
Even after successful treatment, managing the condition effectively requires regular follow-ups and routinely taking prescribed medications, as directed by your doctor.
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