Prostate cancer mostly affects male above the age of 40 years. There may be no symptoms or signs that may appear late. Thus, it is of utmost importance to be aware of this malignant disease so that it can be diagnosed early and treated. Read on to know more about prostate cancer.

Due to old age, men may develop an enlarged prostate. This condition should not be confused with prostate cancer. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, get yourself checked immediately.

Your doctor will take into account all factors such as age, sex, medical history and family’s medical history when prescribing you a prostate cancer treatment. Some of the most effective prostate cancer treatment methods are:

When the cancer is in its initial stages, your doctor may advise you to wait and watch if it continues to grow or spread before starting with the treatment. The doctor may usually wait until the symptoms start to show. Meanwhile, you will need to undergo regular ultrasounds, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, rectal examinations and biopsy to check the progression of the cancer. This method is used when the cancer is confined and small and shows no symptoms. If the cancer progresses, then you will need to undergo further treatment.

Surgical method involves removing the prostate gland and the surrounding tissues. Radical prostatectomy is opted for in cases where the cancer is limited to the prostate gland and has not progressed further. However, there is some possibility of the cancer relapsing. Side-effects of this method include urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) and erectile dysfunction.Discuss these issues with your doctor to see if it is plausible that the surrounding nerves can be protected from the surgery to avert the side-effects.

The hormone therapy reduces the male hormones, called androgens, which stimulates the growth of prostate cancer cells. The androgen suppression method lowers the androgen levels in the body, thus shrinking the tumour or slowing its progression. However, this therapy alone cannot cure prostate cancer. Often, hormone therapy is followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy uses high energy beams to kill the cancerous cells. This method can be used if the cancer has not progressed beyond the prostate. Radiation therapy also slows the progression of cancer. Side effects of this method include diarrhoea, involuntary and painful urination, and erectile dysfunction.

It is an aggressive therapy using drugs to kill and slow down the growth of the tumour. This therapy can be adopted if the cancer has already spread and is in advanced stages. However, one of the side-effects of chemotherapy is that it may also damage the healthy cells of the body.

A Cancer insurance plan covers the medical costs arising from the detection to the diagnosis of cancer and further treatment and recuperation. The cancer-specific plan is a must-have as it gives you access to the best treatment available regardless of the cost. You can also consult experts and specialists in state-of-the-art hospitals without having to worry about your finances. Not only that, but the cancer plan also substitutes for your regular income and shields your family from any financial repercussions in case you fall prey to this deadly disease.