Surviving Prostate Cancer Has Increased With The Latest Medicines
Aside from advances in technology there have also been advances in medication with several relatively new drugs joining the battle against prostate cancer helping to push the average years of survival to new highs.
Most of the medications are directed at controlling the levels of testosterone, the hormone secreted in the testicles, which can fuel prostate cancer. The medications are used to manipulate the level of hormones especially to try and shut off the production testosterone. Drastically reducing testosterone has been shown to slow or stop the growth of tumors..
For advanced prostate cancer the drugs Lupron and Zoladex are normally used. These medications block the production of testosterone. The result is a form of chemical castration which has the same effect as removal of the testes, but the huge advantage being that chemical castration is reversible. The drugs are injected about every three to six months. There are some side effects including nausea, osteoporosis, hot flashes, anemia, lethargy, reduced sexual desire, and impotence.
Another form of hormonal therapy include androgen-blocking drugs. These medications don’t necessarily limit the production of testosterone and instead prevents testosterone from attaching to prostate cells. There are fewer side effects with androgen-blocking but the drug has been reported to cause erectile dysfunction, loss of sexual desire, liver problems, diarrhea, and enlarged breasts.
There is another arsenal of drugs commonly used in Chemotherapy. These drugs are used when the cancer has spread and/or has not responded to hormone treatments. Drugs like Adramycin, Decetaxel, Estramustine, Mitoxantrone, Paclitaxel and Prednisone are the most well known but not the only options.
These new drugs in the battle against prostate cancer have significantly increased the odds of survivability and remission. But these treatments in combination with preventive measures, regular physicals with a doctor, and annual tests and screenings greatly increase both the odds of successful treatments and long term survivability.
The primary concern with prostate cancer, however, is not really the medications, treatments, and new technology available. What remains the most crucial elements concerning prostate cancer are prevention and early detection. And that is true even though when it comes to prevention there has not been direct links established between prostate cancer and things like healthy diets low in fat and high in the vitamins and fiber found in fruits and vegetables. But there is a large body of evidence that shows healthy lifestyles and nutritious low fat diets reduce the risks of all cancers as well as many other medical risks.
Another crucial element of course is early detection although this should actually be considered as an interwoven part of prevention because it depends on being informed, and taking the initiative to schedule annual checkups and screenings with a doctor. This is critically important for men over 50 and the importance increases with age to 70 when the bulk of prostate cancer cases occur.
The importance of early detection of prostate cancer can hardly be over emphasized. The reason is because there are many more treatments and options available in the early stages and that makes early detection the best indicator of dealing with the disease successfully.
What really makes annual checkups and screenings such as PSA’s and DRE’s so important is there are few signs and symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages and if going to the doctor occurs only after the symptoms of difficulty urinating, backs ache, pain on ejaculation, or blood in the urine appear in many cases the cancer has already spread making treatments much more difficult and comprehensive.
Recent advances in medications along with the gains made in treatments and technology have brought a great deal of healing and hope to those who may become a victim of prostate cancer. But the best medical science can do for the patients is still not as great as what the patients can do for themselves.
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