Rajesh’s Story

Rajesh*, a 64-year-old architect who lives in Michigan, has had trouble with urination, waking up often at night, and, more recently, experiencing pain. His primary care provider referred him to a urologist who diagnosed him with Stage 1 prostate cancer. Rajesh is concerned about this diagnosis and has sought our advice.

*Name changed upon request

Q: What is prostate cancer? What are its stages?

Dr. Sharma: The prostate gland is a tiny walnut-shaped gland in men that sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum, surrounding the urethra. It is part of the reproductive system and secretes a fluid that maintains sperm health. Cancer results from abnormal cell growth.  The main danger of cancer is its tendency to spread (metastasis) to other parts of the body. 

Prostate cancer is a common cancer, the chances of which increase with age, and it is estimated that 13 out of 100 men in the US will get it in their lifetime. It accounts for 30% of all cancers in men. 

In terms of staging, Stage 0 is when the abnormal cells have not spread anywhere, Stage 1 is a small tumor confined to one area, Stage 2 is a larger tumor with the abnormal cells having spread to the lymph nodes, Stage 3 is deeply embedded tumor with spread to lymph nodes, and Stage 4 is metastasized cancer that has spread to other body parts.

Q: What are the causes and risk factors of prostate cancer?

Dr. Sharma: Rajesh, like most cancers, the exact cause is not known.  But these are some of the  risk factors:

  • Age is the most important one. With advancing age, the risk of prostate cancer increases. 
  • Family history of prostate cancer, and of DNA changes called BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 
  • Smoking or tobacco use and alcohol consumption
  • Obesity
  • Exposure  to chemicals such as Agent Orange and arsenic 
  • A History of sexually transmitted diseases.

Q: What are the next steps for me?

Dr. Sharma: Rajesh, your cancer has been detected at an early stage and can be cured (possibly) with treatment. Your urologist will determine a plan of treatment for you, which may involve radiation oncologists and oncologists. Below are some possible treatment modalities:

  • surgery, where the prostate is completely removed (radical prostatectomy), 
  • brachytherapy (which entails placing radioactive seeds in the prostate), 
  • external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), where radiation is delivered at the tumor, 
  • hormone therapy, 
  • chemotherapy, 
  • immunotherapy, 
  • cryotherapy, 
  • laser ablation, and 
  • high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Q: What are the adverse effects of prostate cancer treatment?

Dr. Sharma: Rajesh, for most people, they may not experience any complications. However, in a few cases, there may be:

  • leakage of urine when there is pressure on the abdomen, such as while laughing or coughing, 
  • erectile dysfunction, which may be treatable with medications, 
  • infertility in terms of sperm quality, production, or ejaculation.

Q: What are my chances of survival?

Dr. Sharma: Rajesh, please do not worry, as your prostate cancer has been detected at an early stage. The chances of surviving prostate cancer are quite good for most people. Focus on getting the treatment recommended by your urologist and their team. Do things that you enjoy, try to have a stress-free life, exercise regularly, eat healthy, and spend time with family and friends.

Q: Can yoga and meditation help?

Dr. Sharma: Yoga and meditation cannot cure prostate cancer or prevent it.  However, yoga and meditation can serve as a potential complementary therapy in the management of physical and psychological symptoms experienced by prostate cancer patients. Yoga postures (asanas) can strengthen pelvic muscles, improve circulation to the pelvic region, reduce inflammation, and help cope with stress. Meditation is a good way to enjoy life meaningfully.

Additional resources

Here are some additional resources for more information:      

If you have questions, please reach out to Dr. Manoj Sharma at editor@indiacurrents.com 

Manoj Sharma, MBBS, Ph.D., MCHES® is an Indian-American global public health expert, author, and educator who has written several books and publications on mental health and wellness. He answers queries...