Gayathri Ananthakrishnan, Chief Executive, IndianProstateCancerFoundation shares her hope.
The history of mankind and the world has been intertwined with the outbreak of epidemics and diseases . Their impact changed the lives of generations and the evolution of medical science. But through it all, the human spirit has prevailed and fought on with hope and with new armour to its armamentarium. Vaccines, antibiotics , anaesthetics, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and invasive surgeries have helped us fight on.
In the 21st century, the rising global epidemic is Cancer. It has been found that more than 65% of the deaths worldwide is due to non communicable diseases like cancer diabetes , diseases of the heart and lungs. In India, according to the National Cancer Registry, by 2020, number of people afflicted with cancer would be 13 lakhs. This is a sharp increase of 14% as against those afflicted with cancer in 2015. Having said this, cancer awareness is still low in India and many deaths are undiagnosed.
The incidence of certain type of cancers are on the rise in India and prostate cancer is one of them. Prostate cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide. The Adyar Cancer Institute recorded a statistically significant increasing trend in incidence of about 5% in Chennai over time. Prostate cancer affects only men and the incidence is higher in men over the age of 50 and the type of cancer affecting Indian men is more aggressive.
Indian Prostate Cancer Foundation was started by members of the medical fraternity and thought leaders from different walks of life to confront the disease. We believe that knowledge is the key to surviving cancer and awareness about the disease, importance of early detection, detection methods and treatment modalities will help us in fighting prostate cancer.
Read here about Prostate Cancer - Prostate Cancer symptoms, risk factors of Prostate Cancer, stages and treatment of Prostate Cancer, prevention and management of Prostate Cancer
85% of prostate cancer can be detected by a simple blood test called PSA test and a digital rectal examination (DRE) by a urologist . The PSA test determines the prostate specific antigen count in the blood. Higher level of PSA may indicate prostate cancer. The urologist feels the prostate through the back passage for any abnormality. Hardness in the prostate may indicate prostate cancer. Incase of signs of abnormalities in the PSA test and DRE, trans urethral ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS biopsy ) is done to confirm prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer is curable if detected early.
Indian Prostate Cancer Foundation aims to prevent needless suffering due to prostate cancer. It is commited to the cause of relieving the impact of prostate cancer in India through awareness and by supporting men afflicted with the disease. We provide all the information you need to control and manage the condition – right from detection and diagnosis through recovery and rehabilitation aided by support groups.
Cancer cannot be fought alone. It affects the individual, the care giver, the family and the community.
Let us confront it together - Spread the word about early detection, spread.
Hope - you are not alone, the battle can yet be won !
