It just took a regular health check-up for Keshava Murthy, a retired Government official from Karnataka, to realise he had prostate cancer. Murthy, who was 71 at the time, did not experience the common symptoms of the condition (like frequent urination, infections and loss of bladder control, etc.). He was taken aback when his test results came back positive for prostate cancer, making him emotionally disturbed.
He lost his wife 15 years ago and lives with his son in Mysuru, Karnataka. With his son by his side, he was also immensely supported by his friends who filled him with hope and helped him to get back to his usual routine.
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How was prostate cancer detected?
In April 2021, when the whole world was plagued by COVID-19, Murthy undertook a health check-up to keep track of his vitals. However, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test (which measures the level of PSA in blood) revealed elevated levels of PSA in his blood, which could indicate an issue with the prostate gland.
Based on his reports, he consulted a urologist who conducted a prostate examination and found it was enlarged. The doctor then recommended a biopsy to figure out if the enlargement was due to a benign or malignant tumor.
However, before the report came back, Murthy had trouble passing urine along with severe constipation. The pain became unbearable and he was rushed to the hospital. Urinary catheters were used to help him ease the flow of urine.
The biopsy report also came back positive for malignant prostate cancer, meaning there was a possibility for the cancer to metastasise to other organs of the body. An MRI was done (to check if it had spread to other organs), which revealed that the cancer was still in its early stages and had not spread to other parts of the body.
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How was he treated?
Murthy had to choose between surgery or radiation therapy. His doctor recommended radiation therapy which went on for about two months (five days a week). The treatment made him weak. However, with constant support from his friends and family members, Murthy sailed through the treatment and started showing signs of recovery.
Murthy, who is now 73-years-old, wakes up at dawn, walks for an hour and goes about his day. He also takes a stroll for an hour in the evening and keeps a regular check on his diet. In addition, he does not miss his regular check-up with the doctor every three months. He says that his son and friends are his biggest support.
One Response
Simillar is the case with me.