Dr. Ashwin Mallya

Health and Me

Prostate Cancer Is Rising in India. The Good News: Care Is Getting Smarter

A high <span>PSA</span> is no longer a verdict, a diagnosis does not always mean immediate treatment, and newer scans are helping doctors match care to the <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span> and to the man.

The most dangerous thing about early <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/prostate-cancer">prostate cancer</a></span> is how normal a man can feel. There may be no pain, no blood in the urine, and no difficulty passing urine. By the time persistent back pain, weakness or other warning signs appear, the disease may already have travelled beyond the <span>prostate</span>.

That silence matters in India. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated nearly 38,000 new prostate cancer cases in India in 2022, and is expected to rise year-on-year. As the population ages, more families will face this diagnosis. Yet the story is not only about rising numbers. Over the last few years, prostate cancer care has moved away from a blunt, one-size-fits-all approach. The aim now is to find dangerous cancers earlier, avoid unnecessary procedures, and protect quality of life wherever possible.

<h2>PSA is a clue and not a cancer verdict</h2>

For many men, the journey begins with a <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/prostate-health-after-40-symptoms-men-should-not-ignore-article-156183794" data-type="tilCustomLink">PSA blood test</a>. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, a substance made by the prostate. A raised result can be caused by cancer, but it can also rise because of a non-cancerous enlarged prostate, inflammation or other factors. One abnormal number should therefore not trigger panic or an automatic rush to biopsy.

The evidence on PSA screening has also become clearer. 

A major Cochrane review published in 2026, drawing on trials involving almost 800,000 men, concluded that screening can modestly reduce deaths from prostate cancer. But it also detects many slow-growing cancers that might never have harmed the man during his lifetime. In simple terms, PSA testing can save lives, but it can also lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.

That is why PSA testing should be a considered conversation, not a blanket rule based on age alone. A doctor should take into account age, overall health, life expectancy, previous PSA results and family history. Men with a strong family history may need that conversation earlier. Most importantly, men should not wait for urinary symptoms before asking about their risk: early prostate cancer is often silent.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-regular-prostate-scans-should-be-part-of-every-mans-self-care-routine-article-156260238" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why Regular Prostate Scans Should Be Part Of Every Man’s Self-Care Routine</a>

<h2>A better path from suspicion to diagnosis</h2>

One of the most useful changes is the growing use of an MRI scan before biopsy. The scan can identify suspicious areas and help doctors decide who is most likely to benefit from a biopsy. In selected men, a reassuring MRI combined with a low overall risk may allow a biopsy to be deferred. When a biopsy is needed, the MRI helps aim the needle at the area that matters instead of sampling blindly.

Even MRI is becoming simpler. A large 2025 trial found that a shorter prostate <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/women-face-more-health-issues-but-men-are-more-likely-to-die-due-to-these-issues-article-151570639" data-type="tilCustomLink">MRI</a> without contrast dye performed as well as the longer contrast-enhanced version for detecting clinically important cancer. If this approach is adopted widely and used appropriately, it could make high-quality imaging faster and more accessible. It is not a shortcut for every patient, but it is a promising step for health systems with limited capacity.

Biopsy technique is changing too. Instead of passing the needle through the rectum, many centres now take samples through the skin between the scrotum and anus --the transperineal route. Recent trials show that it detects cancer just as effectively and can reduce infection risk and the need for preventive antibiotics. For a patient, this is a practical advance: safer diagnosis, not just more sophisticated diagnosis.

<h2>Not every prostate cancer needs immediate treatment</h2>

The word ‘cancer’ naturally creates urgency. But prostate cancers do not all behave the same way. Some are aggressive and need prompt treatment. Others grow so slowly that surgery or radiation may cause more harm than the cancer would have caused.

For carefully selected men with low-risk disease, active surveillance is now a well-established option. This is not "doing nothing". It means regular PSA tests, clinical reviews, MRI scans, and sometimes repeat biopsies, with treatment started if the cancer shows signs of becoming more dangerous. Long-term trial data published in 2023 found very low prostate-cancer mortality after active monitoring, surgery or <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/blood-test-that-can-detect-12-types-of-cancer-to-go-on-trial-in-uk-article-151488857" data-type="tilCustomLink">radiotherapy</a>, although progression and spread were more common in the monitoring group. The lesson is not that one choice is best for everyone; it is that the risk category must drive the decision.

Treating only the cancerous part of the prostate, known as focal therapy, has also attracted attention. It may suit a limited number of carefully selected patients, but long-term evidence is still developing. It should not be sold as a universal alternative to surgery or radiation.

<h2>The same target can now help find and treat advanced cancer</h2>

PSMA has become one of the most important terms in modern prostate cancer care. It is a marker found in large amounts on many prostate cancer cells. A <span>PSMA PET</span> scan uses that marker like a beacon, helping doctors see deposits that may be missed on older CT or bone scans. This can change a treatment plan by showing whether the disease appears confined or has spread.

In selected patients with advanced disease, the same target can be used to carry radiation directly to PSMA-positive cancer cells. This approach, called radioligand therapy, has expanded treatment options in recent years. It is not suitable for every patient, and access in India varies, but it captures the direction of research: find the cancer more precisely, then attack it more precisely.

<h2>Genes are becoming part of the treatment plan</h2>

Some prostate cancers are linked to inherited changes in genes such as <span>BRCA2</span> -- the same gene many families associate with breast and ovarian cancer. A family history of prostate, breast, ovarian or <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/panxeon-new-blood-test-offers-hope-for-earlier-pancreatic-cancer-detection-article-156174768" data-type="tilCustomLink">pancreatic cancer</a> can therefore be relevant. Genetic testing is not required for every man, but in the right patient it may guide treatment, identify targeted medicines, and alert relatives who may also benefit from counselling.

There is an important concern for India. Many genetic risk tools were developed mainly from European-ancestry data. Indian men need far better representation in research so that future tests are accurate for the population expected to use them.

Donald Trump Takes Aspirin Daily: Should You Take It Too? Doctors Explain Dose, Risks & Dos

<h2>Technology matters but judgement matters more</h2>

Robot-assisted <span>prostate surgery</span> can mean smaller cuts, less blood loss and a quicker early recovery for many patients. But the robot does not operate on its own. It is an instrument controlled entirely by the surgeon, and long-term cancer and quality-of-life outcomes depend on the cancer, the patient and the team and not on the word "robotic" alone.

Newer surgical strategies are also trying to balance cancer clearance with the nerves that affect bladder control and sexual function. In some specialist centres, tissue at the edge of the prostate can be examined during the operation to help the surgeon decide when nerve preservation is safe. Recent trial results are encouraging, but no technique can promise perfect function after surgery. Honest expectations and rehabilitation remain essential.

The prostate is a small gland, but decisions about it can reshape an entire family’s life. The real progress of the last few years is not simply that medicine can do more. It is that we are becoming better at deciding who needs more and who safely needs less. The future of prostate cancer care is the right test and the right treatment, for the right man, at the right time.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

prostate-cancer-is-rising-in-india-the-good-news-care-is-getting-smarter

Prostate Cancer

Cancer

Prostate

psma pet

prostate cancer symptoms

PSA blood test

BRCA2

prostate surgery

ai-anxiety-at-work-is-the-fear-of-becoming-irrelevant-affecting-employee-mental-health

AI Anxiety at Work: Is The Fear Of Becoming Irrelevant Affecting Employee Mental Health?

childrens-mental-health-often-goes-unnoticed-can-indias-new-school-policy-change-that

Children’s Mental Health Often Goes Unnoticed: Can India’s New School Policy Change That?

Health & Wellness

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

A high PSA is no longer a verdict, a diagnosis does not always mean immediate treatment, and newer scans are helping doctors match care to the cancer and to the man.The most dangerous thing about early prostate cancer is how normal a man can feel. There may be no pain, no blood in the urine, and no difficulty passing urine. By the time persistent back pain, weakness or other warning signs appear, the disease may already have travelled beyond the prostate.That silence matters in India. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated nearly 38,000 new prostate cancer cases in India in 2022, and is expected to rise year-on-year. As the population ages, more families will face this diagnosis. Yet the story is not only about rising numbers. Over the last few years, prostate cancer care has moved away from a blunt, one-size-fits-all approach. The aim now is to find dangerous cancers earlier, avoid unnecessary procedures, and protect quality of life wherever possible.PSA is a clue and not a cancer verdictFor many men, the journey begins with a PSA blood test. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, a substance made by the prostate. A raised result can be caused by cancer, but it can also rise because of a non-cancerous enlarged prostate, inflammation or other factors. One abnormal number should therefore not trigger panic or an automatic rush to biopsy.The evidence on PSA screening has also become clearer. A major Cochrane review published in 2026, drawing on trials involving almost 800,000 men, concluded that screening can modestly reduce deaths from prostate cancer. But it also detects many slow-growing cancers that might never have harmed the man during his lifetime. In simple terms, PSA testing can save lives, but it can also lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.That is why PSA testing should be a considered conversation, not a blanket rule based on age alone. A doctor should take into account age, overall health, life expectancy, previous PSA results and family history. Men with a strong family history may need that conversation earlier. Most importantly, men should not wait for urinary symptoms before asking about their risk: early prostate cancer is often silent.Also read: Why Regular Prostate Scans Should Be Part Of Every Man’s Self-Care RoutineA better path from suspicion to diagnosisOne of the most useful changes is the growing use of an MRI scan before biopsy. The scan can identify suspicious areas and help doctors decide who is most likely to benefit from a biopsy. In selected men, a reassuring MRI combined with a low overall risk may allow a biopsy to be deferred. When a biopsy is needed, the MRI helps aim the needle at the area that matters instead of sampling blindly.Even MRI is becoming simpler. A large 2025 trial found that a shorter prostate MRI without contrast dye performed as well as the longer contrast-enhanced version for detecting clinically important cancer. If this approach is adopted widely and used appropriately, it could make high-quality imaging faster and more accessible. It is not a shortcut for every patient, but it is a promising step for health systems with limited capacity.Biopsy technique is changing too. Instead of passing the needle through the rectum, many centres now take samples through the skin between the scrotum and anus --the transperineal route. Recent trials show that it detects cancer just as effectively and can reduce infection risk and the need for preventive antibiotics. For a patient, this is a practical advance: safer diagnosis, not just more sophisticated diagnosis.Not every prostate cancer needs immediate treatmentThe word ‘cancer’ naturally creates urgency. But prostate cancers do not all behave the same way. Some are aggressive and need prompt treatment. Others grow so slowly that surgery or radiation may cause more harm than the cancer would have caused.For carefully selected men with low-risk disease, active surveillance is now a well-established option. This is not "doing nothing". It means regular PSA tests, clinical reviews, MRI scans, and sometimes repeat biopsies, with treatment started if the cancer shows signs of becoming more dangerous. Long-term trial data published in 2023 found very low prostate-cancer mortality after active monitoring, surgery or radiotherapy, although progression and spread were more common in the monitoring group. The lesson is not that one choice is best for everyone; it is that the risk category must drive the decision.Treating only the cancerous part of the prostate, known as focal therapy, has also attracted attention. It may suit a limited number of carefully selected patients, but long-term evidence is still developing. It should not be sold as a universal alternative to surgery or radiation.Also read: Why Regular Prostate Scans Should Be Part Of Every Man’s Self-Care RoutineThe same target can now help find and treat advanced cancerPSMA has become one of the most important terms in modern prostate cancer care. It is a marker found in large amounts on many prostate cancer cells. A PSMA PET scan uses that marker like a beacon, helping doctors see deposits that may be missed on older CT or bone scans. This can change a treatment plan by showing whether the disease appears confined or has spread.In selected patients with advanced disease, the same target can be used to carry radiation directly to PSMA-positive cancer cells. This approach, called radioligand therapy, has expanded treatment options in recent years. It is not suitable for every patient, and access in India varies, but it captures the direction of research: find the cancer more precisely, then attack it more precisely.Genes are becoming part of the treatment planSome prostate cancers are linked to inherited changes in genes such as BRCA2 -- the same gene many families associate with breast and ovarian cancer. A family history of prostate, breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer can therefore be relevant. Genetic testing is not required for every man, but in the right patient it may guide treatment, identify targeted medicines, and alert relatives who may also benefit from counselling.There is an important concern for India. Many genetic risk tools were developed mainly from European-ancestry data. Indian men need far better representation in research so that future tests are accurate for the population expected to use them.               Technology matters but judgement matters moreRobot-assisted prostate surgery can mean smaller cuts, less blood loss and a quicker early recovery for many patients. But the robot does not operate on its own. It is an instrument controlled entirely by the surgeon, and long-term cancer and quality-of-life outcomes depend on the cancer, the patient and the team and not on the word "robotic" alone.Newer surgical strategies are also trying to balance cancer clearance with the nerves that affect bladder control and sexual function. In some specialist centres, tissue at the edge of the prostate can be examined during the operation to help the surgeon decide when nerve preservation is safe. Recent trial results are encouraging, but no technique can promise perfect function after surgery. Honest expectations and rehabilitation remain essential.The prostate is a small gland, but decisions about it can reshape an entire family’s life. The real progress of the last few years is not simply that medicine can do more. It is that we are becoming better at deciding who needs more and who safely needs less. The future of prostate cancer care is the right test and the right treatment, for the right man, at the right time.

prostate cancer is rising in india. the good news: care is getting smarter

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Prostate Cancer Is Rising in India. The Good News: Care Is Getting Smarter

AI Anxiety at Work: Is The Fear Of Becoming Irrelevant Affecting Employee Mental Health?

Children’s Mental Health Often Goes Unnoticed: Can India’s New School Policy Change That?

Are Girls Getting Their Periods Earlier? What Parents Should Know

Health Conditions A-Z

Prostate Cancer Is Rising in India. The Good News: Care Is Getting Smarter

AI Anxiety at Work: Is The Fear Of Becoming Irrelevant Affecting Employee Mental Health?

Children’s Mental Health Often Goes Unnoticed: Can India’s New School Policy Change That?