Prostate is a part of the male reproductive system beside the penis and testicles. Prostate is a small gland, size of a walnut that is located deep inside the groin and surrounds the tube connected to the bladder known as the urethra. It is located between the base of the penis and rectum. It plays a role in sperm viability and motility by supplying seminal fluid or semen and mixed with sperm from the testes. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Casodex 50 mg is a common drug used to help treat prostate cancer.
Before we learn more about Casodex, it would be better to understand a bit more on prostate cancer first. Most prostate cancers develop from the gland cell and in most common cases it is associated with adenocarcinoma. Prostate cancer is common in men after skin and lung cancers. It is estimated that 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their life. Prostate cancer typically is diagnosed in those aged 65 and above. Symptoms of prostate cancer differ in one person and another. Common symptoms include difficulty in urination, discomfort passing urine, presence of blood in the urine or semen, frequent urination especially at night, trouble to completely empty the bladder and pain in the bones especially the back, hips or pelvis area and unintentional weight loss. Since symptoms of prostate cancer may resemble other medical conditions, it is best to get yourself checked by a doctor for further explanation and medical management.
Now that we have understood more about prostate cancer, how is Casodex related to this disease? Casodex contains bicalutamide as its active ingredients. It works by blocking testosterone hormone that plays a role in the growth of prostate cancer cells. It is a medicine belonging to a group of drugs known as anti-androgen or androgen receptor inhibitors. It is also known as a type of hormone therapy. Casodex is usually combined with other hormone therapy such as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analog to treat prostate cancer.
There is no definite answer for the best time to take Casodex. Still, it is best to take it at the same time of the day, either in the evening or morning. The recommended dose of Casodex is one tablet a day once on a daily basis. With any drug taken to treat medical conditions, comes with possible side effects. Common side effects include abdominal pain, blood in the urine, dizziness, hot flush, breast tenderness and swelling of the limbs such as hands, ankles or feet. Serious side effects such as breathing difficulty is rare but if it occurs, do visit the emergency department immediately and let your healthcare provider take the medicine. Any unwanted discomfort symptoms that arise from taking the drug should be addressed to your healthcare provider and never stop taking the medication unless you are told to do so. This is because Casodex is a drug used for long-term medication.
Casodex may interact with certain other drugs. Hence, it is best to let your healthcare provider know if you have other medical conditions such as hypertension and infection. This is important to avoid side effects and dangerous drug interaction which could worsen the current medical condition apart from prostate cancer.
It can be concluded that Casodex is used to treat prostate cancer, especially in advanced stages. The best time to take Casodex is when it is taken at the same time of the day either morning or evening. Always follow the doctor’s instructions when taking medicine prescribed by them. Any enquiries regarding treatment plan and any discomfort should always be consulted by your healthcare provider.
The word ‘cancer’ in the prostate cancer itself can be terrifying. The fact that we know most about cancer sounds like the worst thing to happen in a person’s life. However, this is not entirely true. Although it is true prostate cancer sounds very intimidating, there are treatments just as this Casodex and other available medications to help you cope with this. Prostate cancer affects people differently and this very much depends on the type and severity. Prostate cancer may have affected you for years before you are diagnosed with one as it often progresses slowly. The good thing is you may actually have a long time and life ahead of your diagnosis. This is especially true if you are diagnosed at an early stage and have a better chance of even being cured from it. Here is where you should really pay close attention and care for your body more than ever.
You are likely to be treated with prostate cancer treatment right after you are diagnosed with one and the doctor will lay out a treatment plan. Besides following advice from doctors and undergoing treatment, you still have to do more for your body. This includes getting regular exercise and practising healthy eating habits to keep your body’s immunity strong to fight against the cancer. Getting enough rest by getting good sleep quality can help improve your immune system. Learn to manage your stress by relaxation and consider talking to a mental health professional. Stress can lead to deterioration of the body’s health which can worsen the disease. Prostate cancer may actually lead to new life meaning a lot of changes can happen to your body, your life and your sexuality. Do discuss this with your loved one, professional or other survivors for support and insight.
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