General Health

What’s new in prostate health

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Prostate cancer is the
second leading cause of cancer illness and death among men; One in 5 men will
be diagnosed with the disease.1, 2

Although prostate cancer is serious, but most men who are diagnosed do not die from the illness.1 Luckily, prostate cancer is highly treatable—rates of illness and death have steadily decreased over the past few decades.1, 3 This is due to ongoing advances in technology and a growing variety of treatment options.

Some of the newest treatments that are currently
being studied in clinical trials include:

Biological therapy

Substances made by the
body are used to improve or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer.1,
3 Types of biological therapies include:

  • Immunotherapy,
    which boosts the immune system to help the body fight or destroy cancer cells.1,
    4     These
    include vaccines and
    drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors which turn immune system cells on
    or off to affect the body’s immune response.4
  • Targeted therapy
    includes drugs that attack cancer cells in the body without harming surrounding
    cells.1, 4 Each type of targeted therapy works
    differently, but all alter the way a cancer cell grows, divides, or interacts
    with other cells.1, 4

Cryotherapy

This includes the use of an instrument placed inside or near a tumor to
freeze and kill prostate cancer cells.1, 3

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
(HIFU)

High-energy sound waves at a cancerous tumor to destroy its cells.1, 3, 4 Already used in
Europe for early stage prostate cancer, the treatment has just recently become
available in the United States.4

Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(CAM)

This form of treatment can be used in addition
to, or instead of, standard treatments.5 This includes certain
foods, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins and minerals such as pomegranate,
flaxseed and soy.4, 5

There are many different options available
for the treatment of prostate cancer. The method of your treatment can depend on
the stage of the diagnosis, your age and whether it is a new or recurring
diagnosis. Speak to your doctor or health professional to discuss the treatment
options that may work best for you.

By Nyahne
Bergeron, MPH
Nyahne Bergeron is a Medical
Review Analyst in Clinical Programs and Quality for Walgreens. She holds a
Master of Public Health degree from DePaul University and has a background in
chronic disease research and health education.

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Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute: PDQ® Prostate Cancer Treatment. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2015. Available from http://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/patient/prostate-treatment-pdq.
  2. A Snapshot of Prostate Cancer. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2014. Available from http://www.cancer.gov/research/progress/snapshots/prostate
  3. How is Prostate Cancer Treated? Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2014. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/treatment.htm
  4. What’s new in prostate cancer research and treatment? Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2015. Available from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-new-research
  5. Prostate Cancer, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplements (PDQ®). Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2015. Available from http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/prostate-supplements-pdq

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