Prostate cancer is a common disease among men. It is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. This silent killer has recently made headlines as Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Aggressive prostate cancer is one of those types where the cancer grows and spreads more quickly often requiring prompt and intensive treatments.
The approach to treating aggressive prostate cancer is not a one size fits all approach. It is very personalized because we cannot just look at the cancer alone. We have to look at the patient’s age, existing medical conditions and preferences. Most patients generally start off with androgen deprivation therapy where hormones are castracted and testosterone levels are brought down to a minimal number. This will help to starve the cancer. Beyond this, patients may also undergo chemotherapy and medications to support the bone treatment. Targeted therapies are also options. Treatments for cancer are not without its side effects which is why the treatment approach is individualized to account for the patient’s reaction and handling of its side effects and the aims and goals of the patient. One of the most important factors is also the time in which the aggressive cancer is detected. Early detection can change outcomes even for aggressive cancers.
Joe Biden’s diagnosis helps to remind us of the importance of PSA screening and early detection to allow for curative treatments. It also has highlighted the difference between low-risk and high-risk prostate cancer and how treatment approaches differ according to age and cancer severity.
