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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the treatment for prostate cancer?

    Related Topics
    Cancer Prostate Cancer
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    Janice Bartley

    Massage Therapist, Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner

    Janice Bartley is a university qualified Medical Herbalist who fosters an evidence-based integrative approach to healthcare. Integrative healthcare focuses on the complexities of each individual’s … View Profile

    If prosate cancer is low-grade and not causing any sypmtoms it may be simply surveilled by your doctor, this is sometimes referred to as the ‘watchful waiting’ or ‘hopeful waiting’ period. If you or someone you know is in this stage of treatment I suggest you take advantage of the time to increase your fruit and vegetable intake, quit smoking, reduce or cease alcohol consumption, take up regular daily exercise and maybe even consider meditation or something similar.

    Once prostate cancer has advanced surgery and radiotherapy are quite often the first lines of treatment. Surgery with curative intent removes the entire prostate gland, this is called a ‘radical prostatectomy’. Radical radiotherapy can also be given with curative intent, either with external radiation or by implanting radioactive seeds into the prostate gland, this is called ‘brachytherapy’. Maintaining your bowel health and regular bowel movements is essential to avoid any complications associated with radiation therapy in the area.

    For widespread disease, hormone therapy reduces the stimulus of the male hormones. Removing the testis or injecting luteinising hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), or anti-androgen hormones, can hold the disease for three to four years and may improve outcomes if given early with radiation in high risk patients. When hormone resistance occurs, chemotherapy can be used. A class of drugs called bisphosphonates can be used to help control bone metastases.

    The Cancer Council are an excellent source of information on prostate cancer, for more information on prostate cancer or to find out about their free support services call their helpline on 13 11 20.

    The Hunter Prostate Cancer Alliance is a Newcaslte based organisation, their freecall helpline is 1800 881 826, they are a great source of information and I am sure they could link you with support services in your area.

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    John Stevens

    Exercise Physiologist

    John is an exercise physiologist and owner of Kinetic Medicine, an Exercise Physiology practice with 5 clinics on the NSW Mid North Coast. John is … View Profile

    The above is a good summary of the available treatment in common use for the management of prostate cancer. As is the case with the medical management of most diseases, early diagnosis combined with improvements in treatment modalities is providing better outcomes for patients every day. As such men are now living longer and longer with prostate cancer, becoming more and more a case of something men die with rather than from. There is now also a steady body of evidence for specific exercise-based management to help patients sustain their quality of life and longevity, considering men with prostate cancer are at higher risk of acquiring concurrent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Exercise Physiologists are the leading experts in exercise prescription for patients with these conditions, so ensure you discuss a referral with your medical practitioner or visit www.essa.org.au to find your nearest exercise physiologist so that you can receive the best care possible tailored to your specific needs.

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