5 Important Steps in Managing Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of those conditions that may not affect your natural lifespan, especially with treatment. Of course, it depends on several factors like the cancer type and stage you’re in. In managing prostate cancer and preventing it from getting worse, here are the things to remember:

Work closely with your doctor

The first and most crucial step in preventing prostate cancer from getting worse is to work closely with your doctor.

Depending on your prostate cancer stage and type (along with other factors), your physician will come up with an individualized treatment plan for you.

For instance, if they found out that you have early-stage or localized prostate cancer after tests, they may recommend watching waiting or active surveillance.

• Watchful Waiting – Doctors often recommend watchful waiting when prostate cancer doesn’t cause any symptoms and is not likely to affect your natural lifespan. You will have regular blood tests, but there’s usually no need for a biopsy.
• Active Surveillance – This method is similar to watchful waiting but typically involves more than just blood tests. The doctor will most likely order an MRI scan, digital rectal exam, and biopsies.

Furthermore, alongside watchful waiting or active surveillance, the physician may also recommend other treatment strategies like hormone therapy or radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate).

Be more cautious of your diet

Diet is an important aspect of managing prostate cancer. A healthy diet helps protect you from other diseases that may coincide with your condition and might even prevent the recurrence or worsening of prostate cancer.

After consulting your doctor, consider the following tips:

• Follow a plant-based diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds.
• Reduce intake of foods high in added sugar and fats.
• If you are under hormonal therapy, your bones may weaken. To limit the risk, talk to your doctor about calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Maintain a healthy weight

To prevent prostate cancer from worsening, weight management can help. Excessive weight might increase the risk of other health concerns that may affect your current condition.

According to reports, weight gain is typical among patients under hormonal therapy. If you want to combat unhealthy weight gain, maintain a balanced diet and regular exercise.

In most cases, cancer patients, especially those without symptoms, have the same exercise guidelines as everyone else. Aim to have 30 minutes of moderate physical activity for five days a week.

Here’s an important note: do not start a new exercise regimen without your doctor’s approval.

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Take care of yourself

Whether you are advised to do watchful waiting or active surveillance or already started with your treatment, taking care of yourself is crucial for managing prostate cancer.

Keep the following tips in mind:

• Take adequate rest and sleep.
• Keep your friends and family close; don’t hesitate to ask for or accept their help.
• Join prostate cancer support groups. It will be good to find people who can understand what you are experiencing.

And finally, continue to do things you enjoy. Although the activities you partake in may vary depending on your condition or symptoms, leisure and hobbies may significantly reduce your stress.

Watch out for warning signs and potential complications

To prevent prostate cancer from worsening, it’s vital to be on the lookout for warning signs and possible complications:

If you are doing watchful waiting or active surveillance, be attentive to the signs of prostate cancer. They include:

• Frequent urination
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Blood in urine
• Blood in seminal fluid
• New on-set erectile dysfunction

Those who are already receiving treatment may observe:

• Infertility
• Erectile dysfunction
• Urinary incontinence

Should you notice any of these warning signs, or if you have other unexplained symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.

Key Takeaways

Managing prostate cancer requires the supervision of your doctor.

Whether you are asymptomatic or undergoing treatment, it’s essential to maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, and perform regular physical activity. Moreover, you need to take care of yourself and keep a close eye on warning signs.

Learn more about Prostate Cancer here.