Prostate cancer is regarded as one of more common disease affecting men. Although there are numerous prostate cancer treatment options available, choosing the right treatment type can often be a complex decision to make. Prostate cancer can be categorized into 4 stages according to the disease’s advancement stage.
Stage 1 is the earliest phase which is easily treatable while stage 4 is the end phase where the condition has become severe and the possibility of cancer cells spreading to other organs as well. As prostate cancer is a life-threatening disease mainly affecting men above 40 years old, it is therefore advisable that men start screening for prostate cancer early on. Early detection not only makes the disease easier to treat, but also that the prostate cancer survival rates is very high.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options & Side Effects
Typically, a doctor will recommend the suitable treatment options based on various factors such as your age, your physical health, the side effects that the treatment poses as well as the stage of the disease. Treatment options that are generally considered are radiation treatment for prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, surgery among others.
Also due to the advancement in medicals, technologies and the availability of many treatment options for prostate cancer today, you may find that different doctors may have different opinion and they may recommend different treatments according to their own experience, specialization and preference.
As such, it may be best that you get some advice from at least two doctors and do some research yourself specifically on the internet for more information and know the type of treatments available and what your choice is.
You should also ask yourself questions like, are you determined to get rid of this cancerous disease out of your body no matter what it takes? Or are you feeling that you have lived your life long enough now that you no longer wish to put yourself through the agonizing side effects of chemotherapy or surgical operations and would like to live your remaining days comfortably? The preferences do wary a lot among different people.
Older people especially those above 80 years old generally do not need to undergo any treatment not just because of their old age, but also because of their weak physical state especially if they have multiple other underlying health problems that do not warrant any further risks from surgical and radiation therapy that these treatment causes. As prostate cancer is a rather slow growing disease, those elderly men are more likely to die from other health factors than the cause of prostate cancer.
Everyone has different needs and requirements. As such, after thorough understanding of the many doctors’ opinions and with a much clearer picture of the various treatment options available, you should now know which treatment suits your situation the best. Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor should you have any doubt.
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