Aug 28, 2016
Men with prostate cancer are living longer, but many survive with a greater burden of treatment. More than one-third of the nearly three million prostate cancer survivors in the United States currently receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). ADT improves the clinical outcomes for men with prostate cancer in certain settings, but has a variety of adverse effects that may impact their long-term health.
For this podcast I’m taking much of my information from a monograph printed in 2015 by the Prostate Cancer Foundation itled “Maintaining Health during Androgen Deprivation Therapy.” You can download it at the Prostate Cancer Foundation website.
(http://www.pcf.org/atf/cf/{7c77d6a2-5859-4d60-af47-132fd0f85892}/MAINTAININGHEALTHADT_MONOGRAPH.PDF)
ADT delays disease progression and increases survival but has a variety of potential harms including:
- “hot flashes”
- decreased desire for sexual activity and loss of erections
- anemia—lowered red blood cell count
- fatigue
- obesity
- diabetes
- increased triglycerides and cholesterol levels
- sarcopenia--general loss of muscle mass
- osteoporosis
The primary focus for many survivors is to live free from prostate cancer. ADT helps men lead much longer lives free from pain and suffering from the cancer.
By understanding some of the risks of ADT we can empower men to lead higher-quality lives during the time they are receiving this treatment