– You can be happy despite cancer – says Krzysztof Krauze, who has been suffering from prostate cancer since 2006. However, access to modern and effective therapeutic methods is necessary.
The director recalls that when he found out he had prostate cancer in 2006, he thought he would get over the disease quickly. He cut his prostate, underwent radiation therapy, and believed that everything would be fine. In 2009, however, it turned out that he had bone metastases – in the vertebrae, ribs, and hip joints. He began treatment, first in Poland, then in South Africa, where he came to write the script. In Africa, he was treated by a Polish oncologist, Dr. Waldemar Szpak. After six months of therapy, the director said that he had put a muzzle on the disease.
Prostate examination
Prostate cancer, also known as prostate cancer or prostate cancer, is one of the most common malignant neoplasms among men. It is over 9 thousand. Poles every year. It also ranks second among the causes of male deaths. Asymptomatic course of the disease in the initial stage and unjustified resistance to preventive examinations cause that every year about 4 Poles are dying of this disease. – As the disease does not give any symptoms in the initial stage, the only method of detecting it is prophylactic examinations. And just as women have their breasts examined or they perform cervical cytology, men should control their prostate, emphasize urologists. Early lesions can be found through rectal finger examinations, blood tests, and ultrasound. Unfortunately, few men choose to do so.
Treatment of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Prof. Andrzej Borówka, head of the Urology Department of the European Health Center in Otwock, says that prostate cancer is a very diverse and heterogeneous disease. Therefore, the method of therapy should be selected individually, taking into account not only the stage of disease advancement, comorbidities, the expected biological age of the patient, but also which method of treatment the patient is able to accept.
Tumor development
– If I had to choose which type of cancer I would choose prostate cancer – says prof. Bilberry. – This is a cancer to talk to. And because he is lazy, he develops very slowly and you can live with him for a very long time – he explains. – Especially that the progress of medicine significantly improves the quality of life of patients. Krzysztof Krauze emphasizes that this quality also depends on the mental attitude. “For me, my opponent is not cancer, but my despair over my illness,” he says. – Without the right attitude, acceptance of certain limitations related to treatment, no doctor is able to help the patient – he adds. However, she emphasizes that the patient-doctor contact is very important. – Once a month I go to the doctor for a checkup and he can then turn on the light, which is enough for my next visit – he says. Krauze adds that cancer has taught him to appreciate the moment and enjoy the little things.
Prostate cancer drugs
Since the growth of prostate cancer is stimulated by the male sex hormone testosterone, cutting it off causes tumor growth inhibition or even partial reversal. – The easiest way is to remove the testicles that produce testosterone, but it is not acceptable by men for psychological reasons – explained Prof. Bilberry. That is why drugs are used. In Poland, these are mainly the so-called GnRH analogues, which initially increase testosterone levels before they decrease. This can contribute to the rapid development of cancer. More modern drugs are already available that immediately lower the level of this hormone. Unfortunately, they are not reimbursed in Poland. – In patients who require a sudden reduction in testosterone levels, the use of new GnRH antagonist drugs is justified – believes Prof. Maciej Krzakowski, national consultant in the field of clinical oncology. – These are people who, due to the advancement of the disease, may have urine retention or whose bone metastases are at risk of compression fracture of the spine – he explains. In Poland, the new drug has been available since 2009, but is not reimbursed yet. In January 2012, it received a positive recommendation from the Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AOTM). The reimbursement decision now belongs to the Ministry of Health.