New Delhi: In India, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and is among the top ten most common cancers affecting men, yet a large number of men refrain from getting routinely screened for the disease because of fear, societal embarrassment, and lack of knowledge about symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr Neil Trivedi, MS, M.Ch, (Mum), Consultant Urologist, Kidney Transplant at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, spoke about the common misconceptions that delay prostate cancer diagnosis in India.
This form of cancer develops in the cells of the prostate gland in men, which is a part of their reproductive system. Since it is a slow-growing tumour, most men don’t realise they suffer from the disease until it’s too late. Regular screening and early detection can prevent the spread of cancer and ensure successful treatment, but certain myths prevent these men from seeking medical attention.
Myth 1 : Prostate cancer affects only very old men or those with a family history
Fact: While age and genetics are important risk factors, prostate cancer is not limited to elderly men or only those with a family history. Although the risk increases after the age of 50, in a small number of Indians, it may happen at an earlier age (between 40 and 50 years), including those with no known genetic predisposition, particularly in urban and metropolitan regions.
Prostate cancer is often slow-growing and asymptomatic in its early stages, which means waiting for visible warning signs, such as urinary difficulties, can delay diagnosis and impact outcomes. This highlights the need for greater awareness and regular screening from the age of 45 onwards, regardless of family history, to enable early detection and timely intervention.
Myth 2: Prostate Cancer Is Rare in India
Fact: Prostate cancer is far from rare in India, as is evident from its steadily increasing incidence. Data from urban cancer registries show higher age-standardised incidence rates compared to previous decades, especially in cities such as Delhi and other urban districts. Higher cumulative risks have been reported, likely due to lifestyle changes and improved access to diagnostic facilities. This underscores the need for greater public awareness and early detection with the help of advanced technologies such as AI and robotics for diagnosis and treatment.
Myth 3: Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Painful
Many men hesitate to seek diagnosis or treatment because they fear the severe pain, long hospital stays, and difficult recovery commonly associated with prostate cancer.
Fact: This is one of the most common and outdated fears, especially in light of the advances made in medical science and technological developments assisting the medical fraternity in offering patients personalised and precise diagnostics and treatment. Prostate cancer treatments today are far less painful and more patient-friendly than in the past. Minimally invasive, incision-free options such as TULSA-PRO are offering new hope for both doctors and patients. This MRI-guided, robot-assisted approach precisely targets cancerous tissue using ultrasound energy without surgery or radiation, allowing most patients to return to normal activities within a few days, with minimal pain and fewer side effects.
In India, the rising incidence of prostate cancer combined with delayed detection highlights the urgent need for routine health checks, informed conversations, and proactive men’s health awareness programmes.