Prostate Cancer Side Effects
Part of coping with a particular disease is knowing what to expect after a diagnosis has been given. This is especially true in the case of prostate cancer side effects. While some side effects originate from the treatment of the disease, some are triggered by the disease itself.
From the disease:
One such side effect is the weakening of the bones, as the disease often spreads through the bones. This side effect is called bone metastases. This condition is also painful, though doctors can also provide medication to alleviate the pain. Unfortunately, although doctors can also provide treatment to support affected bones, this is already part and parcel of having prostate cancer. This is physically manifested through easily-fractured bones.
From the treatments:
Even the hormone therapy for combating the disease also yields to other prostate cancer side effects. Indeed, treatments can get pretty tricky, and options on what could be more potentially harmful need to be weighed. Given the more medically inclined treatments that are mentioned in direct conjunction with prostate cancer side effects, is also noteworthy to mention that a lifestyle change would highly be in order, naturally.
Further into hormone therapy:
Hormone therapy often entails the decrease/loss of testosterone. One can only imagine the big impact that the loss of this may have on the patient, this being the primary male hormone, and a key identifier and generator of a male’s \“building blocks\” of looks and physique. While not all of the potential adverse effects of the decrease/loss of testosterone could manifest in a patient, one has to anticipate facing some form of weight gain, hair loss, a decrease in sex drive, being prone to fatigue and a decline in muscle mass.
A complete lifestyle change:
Given that radiation therapy and surgery may soon be part of the regimen in fighting the disease, a healthier diet and lifestyle are recommended. Calcium supplements and exercise are recommended to strengthening weakened or already weakening bones. More so, it is also a given that patients will be encouraged to quit smoking and lessen their alcohol intake. It is also important to consider that even given these lifestyle changes, progressive treatment can still lead to prostate cancer side effects, especially if the disease is already in the advanced level.
Psychological, as well, as physical:
Another such side effect is impotence, due in part to the patient having his testicles removed. The patient will find that it is now harder to achieve and/or maintain erections. Of the men who have had this type of surgery, more than eighty-five percent suffered from impotence, making it one of the most frustrating prostate cancer side effects. Succeeding treatments would involve medicines, implants and devices, all of which still depend heavily on the recommendations of the patient’s doctor.
Infertility is another one that belongs to the prostate cancer side effects group. While not as physically manifested as impotence, infertility also brings psychological distress to a prostate cancer patient. The good news is that there are now several treatments available to preserve a patient’s fertility. The patient will only need to inform his doctor right away so that steps and preparations can be made in advance to ensure that further treatment for the disease itself would not harm the patient’s fertility.
The number of prostate cancer side effects is as many as the treatments that can be used to treat them. The dilemma, however, is choosing the treatment that will have more pros than cons in the future. This is why it is of high importance that a patient be able to consult several experts along the way, and that he is always able to voice out his primary concerns post-surgery. In this way, there will be less psychological, as well as, physical aftercare to contend with in the future.
Prostate Tip #1
As men age, they should think about prostate problem prevention since men in their fifties have a higher risk of developing an enlarged prostate or even cancer. It takes less money to prevent a disease from happening rather than treating it.
Prostate Tip #2
It will be in your best interests to get a prostate screening annually from your physician once you reach age 45 to determine if you have any problems with your prostate. This will also help your physician detect any cancer while it is still in its early stages.