Prostate Cancer

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                                   Prostate Cancer 

✔ GS Paper 2 & 3 (Health, Science & Technology, Public Policy) ✔ Current Affairs – Rising Cancer Cases in India

Overview

  • Prostate Cancer develops in the prostate gland, part of the male reproductive system.

  • Major Risk Factors – Age, genetics, lifestyle choices (diet, smoking, obesity).

  • Symptoms – Difficulty urinating, pelvic pain, weak urine stream, blood in urine/semen.



          


           Early Detection – Blood Tests Used Globally vs. India

Blood Test

Purpose

Global Usage

India’s Accessibility

  • PSA Test

  • Measures Prostate-Specific Antigen levels
  • Widely used

  • Available in urban hospitals
  • Free PSA Test
  • Differentiates cancer vs. benign conditions
  • Standard in diagnostics
  • Limited in smaller cities
  • 4Kscore Test
  • Assesses cancer risk
  • Common in Western nations
  • Rare in India
  • PHI (Prostate Health Index)
  • Combines multiple PSA markers for accuracy
  • Used for screening
  • Limited awareness in India
  • CTC Test
  • Detects cancer cells in the bloodstream
  • Advanced screening method
  • Mostly in private labs
  • Genomic Tests (PCA3, TMPRSS2:ERG)
  • Genetic profiling for risk assessment
  • Used in precision medicine
  • Cost-prohibitive in India

UPSC Relevance & Policy Considerations

✅ Public Health & Disease Burden – Rising cases in India due to urbanization, aging population, and lifestyle changes. 

✅ Healthcare Infrastructure – Limited access to advanced cancer detection tests in rural areas. 

✅ Government Initiatives – Screening programs under Ayushman Bharat & National Health Mission. 

✅ Comparative Analysis – India lags behind developed nations in precision cancer diagnostics.



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