Second-most common cancer in men: Key symptoms of prostate cancer and latest treatments

Despite being the second most common cancer among men, there's a lot of fear and stigma surrounding prostate cancer. (Picture Credit: Canva)

• Prostate cancer makes up 5.4% of Indian men's cancers; stigma remains.
• TulsaPro offers quick recovery and maintains function with minimal invasiveness.
• Tier II/III cities need better awareness and early detection outreach.

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In India, prostate cancer is still discussed in hushed tones. This is even more true in Tier II and III cities. According to the National Cancer Registry Programme, prostate cancer accounts for 5.4% of all cancers in Indian men. Despite being the second most common cancer among men, the disease is associated with fear and social stigma. Men avoid going for regular medical examinations because they are uncomfortable and often scared of the diagnosis.

For prostate cancer, this hesitation can prove fatal because delay in diagnosis increases the chances of cancer-related mortality. However, not all is lost as things are looking up with regard to prostate cancer treatment in India. Technological advancements, including AI, robotics and other cutting-edge tech solutions, are transforming the approach to men’s prostate health.

Dr Likhiteswer Pallagani, Consultant Urologist, Uro-Onco & Robotic Surgeon at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad shared some of the key progresses that should encourage more men from urban India as well as remote areas to come forward and seek help if they experience any of the common symptoms of the disease.

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Common symptoms of prostate cancer

• Frequent, sometimes sudden urge to pee, more so at night
• Pain or discomfort while peeing
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Loss of control over bowel movements
• Difficulty controlling urine
• Pain during ejaculation along with erectile difficulties
• Blood in semen or pee
• Pain in your low back, hip or chest

Minimal invasive prostate treatments

Prostate cancer treatment is now quite advanced, with effective and affordable early detection tools and a range of minimally invasive treatments like TulsaPro that are available. These out-patient procedures are robotically assisted, incision-free thereby removing the taboo of a surgery, radiation-free and MRI guided.

Not only are the side effects minimal, but they also address the biggest concern among men diagnosed with prostate cancer — erectile dysfunction. Almost 98% of the men who’ve undergone these treatments preserved their erectile function and continence. Rapid recovery and fewer complications are among some other benefits of these treatments.

In 2026, such less-intrusive treatments that use targeted ultrasound rays will see more innovations to treat diseases like cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). They are a much safer option compared to standard surgery because they use heat to destroy specific prostate tissue from the inside out.

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Rural awareness

While more men living in cities are regularly undergoing their PSA tests, awareness and early detection of the disease in Tier II/III cities are still at a nascent stage. In a population of 1.4 billion people, this gap is significant and highlights the need to spread more awareness about the disease and the advances made in the treatment options that are being offered across the country.

Healthcare professionals need to drive more initiatives to spread education in these regions to improve detection, diagnosis, and outcomes nationwide. Some initiatives like XX, XX and Free Camps on Cancer Day are slowly bringing men in for early detection tests in rural India. These efforts can be further amplified to reach more people.

To avoid further prostate health problems in 2026, a change in lifestyle choices, regular exercise, a balanced diet, keeping up to date with the new-age treatments on offer and regular health check-ups and blood tests should be the norm.

FAQs on prostate cancer in men:

Q. What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland, a small gland in men that helps produce semen. It is one of the most common cancers affecting men.

Q. How common is prostate cancer in men?

Prostate cancer is among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men worldwide, especially in men over the age of 50.

Q. What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?

Early-stage prostate cancer may cause no symptoms. When present, symptoms can include frequent urination, weak urine flow, difficulty starting or stopping urination, and nighttime urination.

Q. What are advanced symptoms of prostate cancer?

Advanced stages may cause blood in urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, bone pain (especially in the back or hips), unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.

Q. Who is at higher risk of developing prostate cancer?

Risk factors include increasing age, family history, obesity, poor lifestyle habits, and hormonal factors.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.