Prostate Cancer | 18 Apr 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

A recent Lancet Commission paper highlights the alarming rise in prostate cancer cases in India, leading to a higher mortality rate due to late-stage diagnosis.

• In India, a large number of patients are diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, leading to a 65% mortality rate.
• Globally, prostate cancer cases are expected to double by 2040, with low and middle-income countries facing the most significant rise, including India where new cases are projected to reach 71,000 annually.

What is Prostate Cancer?

• About: Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system located below the bladder. The prostate gland produces fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

• Prevalence: The Lancet Commission report predicts a global surge in prostate cancer cases, with low and middle-income countries facing the most substantial increase.
  • Worldwide, prostate cancer was responsible for approximately 3,75,000 deaths in 2020, ranking it as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men.
  • It currently accounts for 3% of all cancers in India, with an estimated 33,000-42,000 new cases annually.
    • Ageing populations and increasing life expectancy contribute to higher numbers of older men, increasing the risk of prostate cancer.
• Risk Factors: The risk factors for prostate cancer include age (especially over 50), genetics, diet, obesity, smoking, chemical exposure, prostate inflammation, and hormonal factors.
• Symptoms: Prostate cancer is typically asymptomatic in its early stages, but symptoms may include difficulty urinating, frequent urination (especially at night), blood in the urine, erectile dysfunction, and lower back or thigh pain.
• Detection: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test measures the level of PSA in the blood. Elevated PSA levels can be a sign of prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other factors.
• Treatment:
  • Surgery: Surgery to remove the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) is a common treatment option.
  • Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
  • Hormone therapy: Also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), it is a treatment that reduces the amount of testosterone in the body.
  • Brachytherapy: This treatment implants radioactive seeds directly into the prostate gland.

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