Consuming at least seven drinks of alcohol per week during adolescence can increase the risk of high grade prostate cancer later, as per a new study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Heavy alcohol intake between the age of 15 and 19 increased the odds of this condition by 3.2 times. The prostate grows rapidly during puberty and is potentially more susceptible to carcinogenic exposure during the adolescent years.
Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the prostate. These continue to multiply in an uncontrolled way and can also spread outside the prostate into nearby or distant parts of the body. Although the condition is curable, it can become life threatening if not appropriately managed on time.
Some symptoms of prostate cancer include frequent or sudden need to urinate; discomfort when urinating; blood in urine or semen; and pain in the lower back, upper thighs or hips. Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said: “Prostate cancer usually starts in the glandular cells and is known as adenocarcinoma. Tiny changes occur in the shape and size of the prostate gland cells. This happens slowly and does not show symptoms until it progresses further. This cancer most commonly spreads to the bones. Staging takes into account the size and extent of the tumour and the scale of the metastasis (whether it has traveled to other organs and tissues). At Stage 0, the tumour has neither spread from the prostate gland nor invaded deeply into it. At Stage 4, the cancer has spread to distant sites and organs.”
Screening high risk patients is done through blood levels of prostate specific antigen, rectal examination, CT, MRI and bone scan. Treatment options include radiation therapy and prostatectomy.