Prostate Cancer Treatment

Cancer that grows in the prostate gland is called prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the U.S. About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 34 will die of the disease.

In the early stages, surgery and radiation may be used to remove or attempt to kill the cancer cells or shrink the tumor. Doctors will usually advice you to undergo a surgical operation. You will then be given some medications to take. Many studies have shown that this combination reduces the pains experienced by men to a great extent especially if the prostate cancer has spread to the bones. The cancer will not totally disappear nor will you live longer. Seek medical advice too and you would be in a better position to decide according to your own health and your personal values. Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire. Urinary incontinence can be a possible complication of surgery.

Also a form of treatment used for early stage cancer is high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). This procedure is carried out under anesthesia (or using a local spinal anesthetic) and a probe is placed into the prostate gland through the rectum. A beam of high intensity focused ultrasound is them used to raise the temperature in the area of focus and thus to kill the cancer cells

Another prostate cancer treatment option is radiation therapy. This prostate cancer treatment includes the use of radiation of high energy from protons, neutrons, gamma rays and x-rays, as well as other sources to kill the cancerous cells and to shrink any existing tumors. There are two ways that radiation therapy can be administered as prostate cancer treatment. The first is from a machine that is located outside your body called external beam radiation therapy, or you may have material that is radioactive that is placed in your body near where the cancer is located. This is referred to as internal radiation therapy.

A relatively new technique, which is still being evaluated, is known as cryosurgery. During cryosurgery, which is carried out under anesthesia, cooling probes are guided into the prostate using ultrasound and the cancer cells are killed by freezing them.

The form of treatment used for early stage cancer is high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). This procedure is carried out under anesthesia (or using a local spinal anesthetic) and a probe is placed into the prostate gland through the rectum. A beam of high intensity focused ultrasound is them used to raise the temperature in the area of focus and thus to kill the cancer cells

For late stage prostate cancer hormone therapy is used and this is designed not to attack the cancer itself but to target the male hormones (in particular testosterone), which the cancer cells need to grow. In cases where hormone therapy proves ineffective, systematic radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be recommended.

The outcome of prostate cancer varies greatly; mostly because the disease is found in older men who may have a variety of other complicating diseases or conditions, such as cardiac or respiratory disease, or disabilities that immobilize or greatly decrease their activities. Whatever the stage of your cancer it is important to consider all of the options carefully and weigh the advantages, disadvantages and risks of each carefully before choosing the treatment that is best for you.

Garlic and Prostate Cancer

A team of research scientists at New York's Cornell University have determined that garlic may effectively kill off human prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer is a deadly disease that affects many older men. The prostate is a small organ (about the size of a walnut) that is wrapped around the urethra where it plays an important role in the reproductive system. Prostate cancer strikes many older men prompting doctors to check for it early and often if their patients report any early symptoms such as trouble urinating or pain while urinating. Prostate cancer can be deadly and treatment usually involve intense radiation and chemotherapy and may even involve surgery.

The best way to battle this disease is to take preventative step in getting it in the first place. The earlier you detect it the better the chances are of finding an effective treatment for it. Getting regular checkups and eating a prostate healthy diet are key steps in stopping the prostate cancer death.

One thing that scientists found to include in your prostate friendly diet is garlic. Certain studies have indicated that this powerful herb is not only fit to fight bacteria, fungi and viruses, but also capable of killing off cancer cells.

In one study conducted at the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center, human prostate cancer cells were cultured over a 24 hour period then exposed some of the petri dishes to a saline solution that contained 50 ppm of one of the two garlic components: S-Allycysteine or S-allymercaptocysteine. Both of these sulfur based components are found in aged garlic. The second component displayed the ability to cut the number of cancer cells down by half within 6 to 8 days. This powerful garlic component even displayed an inhibitory effect on the cancer cells for several more days even after it was rinsed away. The other aged garlic component: S-Allycysteine also showed potential prostate cancer cell killing power, but was nowhere near as effective as A-Allymercaptocyseine.

Researchers believe that the compounds ability to generate the antioxidant gluthione is an important factor in the findings. Glutathione is believed to take away certain protiend that the prostate cancer cells need in order to proliferate. It should be noted that while only aged garlic components were studied (the research was partially funded by a Aged Garlic Supplement company) the powerful antioxidant Glutathione can also be made from selenium which is found in abundance in all forms of garlic.

Prostate Cancer - Ignorance Can Kill You

I am always sad when I hear someone repeat the popular saying - "Ignorance is bliss". Well, ignorance "may" be bliss but as far as your health is concerned, it's DEATH! When it comes to conditions like prostate cancer or other forms of cancer, ignorance is what kills!

One of the best ways to survive prostate cancer or other forms of cancer is to be as informed as you can about the condition. You can't afford to be ignorant, not the least. Being ignorant about prostate or other type of cancer will prevent you from doing what can be done to save your life. Many people who died from this disease could have been saved if they hadn't been so ignorant about it.

Being ignorant about this disease will prevent you from even understanding some of the signs and symptoms that would have warned you early on before the cancer spreads to the rest of the body. But if you take the time to learn as much as you can about the condition, you will be able to decipher the signs and symptoms and do something about it, before it spreads.

Also, being ignorant about prostate or other type of cancer will prevent you from constantly going for the tests that one ought to be going for when they get to a certain age in life. But if you know about prostate cancer, you would surely take the tests seriously. I know people who were saved from prostate cancer because the tests they carried out on them indicated the presence of prostate cancer and this early detection helped to save their lives.

So - banish that thought from your mind that "ignorance is bliss". It's NOT bliss. It's disaster and it can kill you! Instead of being ignorant about prostate cancer, you should do all you can to learn about the condition and how you can prevent and survive it, if it strikes.

Prostate Health

Cancer in any form is a scary thought and for men, a prostate cancer is even scarier. There are chances that men in their lifetime are bound to suffer from enlarged prostate or other degree of prostate cancer. But due to so much advancement in technology and so many researches being conducted we now have a large pool of knowledge regarding natural supplements and products. This helps in achieving good health in our peak days and provides us with alternative energy supply well in our late ages.

If you are worried about your prostate health then it is very important to intake the right kind of food to keep the prostate fully functional and avoid any kind of health issues. If the right food chart is followed then there should be no doubt in your mind that you will remain healthy for a longer time.

Many food supplements can compliment your health as well as boost your prostate health. The first is soy. Although most think that soy is a food supplement that is meant for women but you will be surprised to know that soy also help in maintaining a good prostate health. There are many soy products available in market but the nutrients of soy are most effective when used in the form of actual soybean or tofu.

Another good food that is bound to help your prostate health is fruit. All fruits are full of a natural sugar that adds to the protective effect on the prostate. Also lycopene, another natural chemical found in fruits and vegetable also contributes towards protection from prostate cancer. The red color in fruits and vegetables is the indication in lycopene, the redder the fruit the higher the concentration of lycopene.

Alternatively, you can use Saw palmetto. It is an herb that has been long thought to be helpful in avoiding prostate cancer or men with enlarged prostate problems. Another beneficial natural remedy for the prostate cancer is milk. Cancer helps in maintaining a good prostate health. Especially in old age where even the minutest efforts are bound to come in handy.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer has become the stumbling block among American men to enjoying a quality life. Almost all of these men who have retired from their work wanted to relish the fruit of their labor for so many years, however their desire to make the most of their remaining years and their pension has been set aside because many of them if not all suffer from prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is caused when abnormal cells begin to attack the prostate and other tissue near it. The abnormal cell in due time will form a mass or tumor. The type of tumor that can badly affect the prostate is the malignant. When malignant cells manifest in the prostate region, the affected man will begin to feel the symptoms of the disease.

The symptoms common among men who are living with prostate cancer are unusual urge to frequently urinate, trouble in making the first stream of urine, burning sensation, and painful urination. Other symptoms include pain at the pelvic area down to the lower back but not beyond the upper thighs, presence of blood in urine and semen.

When a patient is diagnosed to be positive of cancer through a combination of tests like digital rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen test, and transurethral ultrasound, the doctor may present to the patient the different prostate cancer treatments.

Speaking of prostate cancer treatment, cryotherapy will surely be in the list. Cryotherapy is a medical procedure that uses cryogenic substance in inhibiting cancer cells from developing. The process uses a needle inserted to the perineum (the skin that connects the anus and the scrotum). The needle is attached to a machine containing cryogenic substance. Once the needle is inserted, tiny ice balls will be released to the prostate, thus freezing the cancer cells and the prostate.

Another cancer treatment is brachytherapy. This procedure utilizes seed implants that can emit radioactive rays. These seed implants that have the same size of rice grains are implanted to the prostate using a special needle that will contain the seeds. The needle is inserted in the same way with cryotherapy. The doctor will insert a finger to the rectum to feel the prostate and make sure that the seed implants are placed properly and securely. This method works in the same way as radiotherapy, in this case the radiation is coming from within.

Radical prostatectomy is considered a major surgery in prostrate treatment. The aim of the procedure is to remove the prostate to avoid further damage to other organs proximate to the prostate.

Prostate cancer can be costly. A patient can choose any of the treatments available considering his age, financial capability, risks, and benefits of a chosen treatment.

Information About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that attacks only males. It shows up in the prostate, which is a part of the male reproduction area but which may spread from there to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of prostate cancer may be problems such as pain in the afflicted area, problems in being able to urinate, problems in functioning properly in sexual intercourse,

Prostate cancer usually strikes men in their senior years, that is fifty and beyond. It is usually slow moving and often goes undetected. Should there be a suspicion of prostate cancer, a simple biopsy made in the doctor's office followed by microscopic examination will reveal if such a diagnosis is to be made.

Then the stage, that is the development of the cancer must be determined, that is such things as how far has the prostrate cancer developed, is it slow moving or has it invaded or is threatening to invade other areas of the body. This knowledge will help to determine what action should be taken next.

Prostate cancer is one of the few cancers in which a decision of doing nothing to combat it may well often be considered to be the proper one. This is true both because of the age of the victim and also because of the slow moving nature of the prostate cancer itself in the majority of cases.

Should proper studies of the prostate indicate that some sort of treatment is called for, there are a number of different ones, such as surgery, radiation therapy (including proton therapy), hormonal therapy, which is one of the major methods of fighting cancer, chemo therapy, which is a method of killing cancer cells by the use of chemicals, cryosurgery, which is the use of extreme cold to destroy cancer cells or high intensity focused ultra sound, which is the use of ultra sound to heat and destroy cancerous tissues.

There are times when the various treatments for prostrate cancer may cause more problems than they eliminate. This isn't to say that it shouldn't be treated but rather it is to say that a professional diagnosis should be made and a professional opinion given. The doctor and the person with prostrate cancer should work together to decide the best way to approach the matter of the prostrate cancer. In some cases, no medical treatment is the best way to combat the prostrate cancer, in other cases, one of the treatments which has been mentioned already is the best combater.

The main thing is that whatever choice is made, it should be an intelligent choice, a decision made on all available information and then the cancer itself should be closely watched in case it seems wise to change the choice. The important thing is that the person with the prostrate cancer be the victor.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Prostate cancer brings with it symptoms that can alert you to its beginning and progression. If you can catch prostate cancer in the earliest stages, you may not even experience any symptoms. This speaks to the importance of regular screening by your physician. Prostate cancer is very survivable if it is caught and treated during the earliest stages. If you experience any of the symptoms below, set up an appointment with your chosen health care provider.

Some of the symptoms that men might experience, if they have not been yet diagnosed and begun treatment, include a need to frequently urinate, most especially during the night. You may need to get up several times or more over a sleep period, which can require you to sleep longer in order to get the minimum number of restful hours that your body needs to function.

Another of the prostate cancer symptoms to look for is a difficulty in starting to urinate when you do get to the bathroom, or, conversely, a difficulty holding back urine. This is understandably embarrassing to victims who are business men, because it interrupts the natural flow of your business day, with its many meetings, business lunches, etc. It is also yet another symptom that makes your nights less restful and more interrupted.

Interrupted flow of urine, or a weaker than usual flow of urine are symptoms of prostate cancer, as well. You may rush to the bathroom feeling a strong urge to void, and then only have a low flow, or sometimes a stop-and-go flow. This leads to many visits to the bathroom during your business day, and some of them may take longer than they normally would, which interrupts your work day. You may also have a burning sensation when you urinate, or pain when you urinate. This symptom alone will often lead men to seek a visit to their physician, because it is more painful and more of a nuisance even than the other symptoms may be.

It should be stated here that many of these symptoms may also point to prostatitis or BPH, which are less serious health issues. When you are checked by your health care professional, they will be able to determine whether your symptoms are due to prostate cancer or one of the less serious prostate issues.

Other prostate cancer symptoms that you might experience include a difficulty in having an erection during sexual intercourse, or painful ejaculation. This will create mental discomfort for the patient, and a lack of interest in sex, due to the sometimes embarrassing lack of erection, and, possibly worse, the pain you experience.

You might also have blood in your semen or your urine, or frequent stiffness or pain in the upper thighs, hips or lower back. The stiffness would not often lead you to your physician on their own, but if you are experiencing any of the other symptoms as well, you need to find the cause.

Prostate Cancer - Overview and Risk Factors

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer and second only to lung cancer in cancer related deaths among men in the United States. Sometimes this cancer can be small, slow growing and present limited risk to the patient while at other times it can progress rapidly presenting great health risks. Yet, when prostate cancer is detected in its early states, it can be effectively treated and cured. Therefore, it is advisable for men to have an annual medical check-up in order to examine their prostate's size, texture, and general functioning.

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system and is about the size and shape of a walnut; and is located between the bladder and the base of the penis. The urethra - the tube that carries urine from the bladder and semen from the sex glands out through the penis - runs through the centre of the prostate. That is why any disease or condition that increases the size of the prostate or causes inflammation can lead to urinary problems as the enlarged prostate can squeeze the urethra thus affecting the flow of urine.

One major function of the prostate is to lubricate the ejaculation process (by making and adding fluids to semen and other seminal fluids) and to increase the pH making the vagina more hospitable, and therefore more conducive for fertilization. It produces prostatic fluid when the man is aroused and contracts during ejaculation to empty.

Normally body cells grow, divide, and produce more cells as needed to keep the body healthy. However, sometimes the process goes wrong - cells become abnormal and form more cells in an uncontrolled way. These extra cells form a mass of tissue, called a growth or tumour. Tumours can however be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Thus prostate cancer occurs when a malignant tumour form in the tissue of the prostate. In its early state, it needs the male hormone, testosterone to grow and survive.

Also, sometimes, cancer cells break away from the malignant tumour in the prostate and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system and travel to other organs in the body. When cancer spreads from its original location in the prostate to another part of the body such as the bone, it is called metastatic prostate cancer, not bone cancer. Often the appearance of the cancer cell provides a clue to indicate if it is programmed to be slow growing and relatively harmless or more aggressive and lethal.

However other medical problems can equally affect the prostate. Among these medical problems is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia BPH (often called benign prostatic hypertrophy) which is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostrate, a condition that becomes increasingly common as men age. This can result in urinary problems, including urinary tract obstruction. The second is Prostatitis, also a noncancerous inflammation of the prostate which can cause burning sensations during urination. Clinically important prostate cancers can be defined as those that threaten the well-being or life span of a man.

Prevalence of Prostate Cancer

It is predominately a disease of elderly men and is one of the most common types of cancer among American men. Cancerous cells are likely to be found in the prostates of 22% of men age 50-59, in 37% of men 60-79, and in more than half (53%) of those living to 80 and older. The disease rarely occurs in men younger than forty years of age.

Globally, it ranks third in cancer incidence and sixth in cancer mortality among men. However, there are marked geographical and ethnic variations in the incidence and mortality of clinical prostate cancer. The risk is highest in North America and northern European countries, and lowest in Japan and other Asian countries and intermediate in regions of Central America and Western Africa. The differences in occurrence may partly be accounted for either by the differences in screening for prostate cancer and the risk of other diseases among world regions or more likely by genetic predisposition as well as diet and other environmental factors.

Risk Factors

Despite the high incidence of prostate cancer, scientist still do not have any fundamental knowledge about the exact cause of this disease and thus have been unable to explain why one man has the disease and the other does not. However, they have been able to identify some risk factors that are associated with the disease. A risk factor is anything that increases the chances of one getting a disease.

Aging

Age is the greatest factor influencing the development of prostate cancer. The diagnosis of prostate cancer is rare before age 40 but increases dramatically thereafter. In the United States, it is estimated that one in 55 men between the ages of 40 and 59 will be diagnosed with this disease. This incidence climbs almost to one in six for men between ages 60 and 79.

This association is also reflected in mortality as prostate cancer accounts for about 10 percent of cancer-related deaths in men between the ages of 60 and 79 and nearly 25 percent in those over the age of 80. Clinical disease is rather rare in men under the age of 50 years, and the incidence increases markedly in men aged over 60 years of age.

Genetics/Heredity

Heredity seems to be the most important risk factor. Indeed, men with a family history of the disease may have a risk of developing prostate cancer 2 to 11 times greater than men without a family history of it. Approximately 9% of all cases of prostate cancer have a genetic basis. The risk is even higher when two or more relatives are affected or when the affected relative is a father or brother.

Race

While, on a global level, prostate cancer ranks third in cancer incidence and sixth in cancer mortality among men, there is however, a notable variability in incidence and mortality among world regions. The incidence is low (but rapidly increasing in recent years) in Japan and other Asian countries and intermediate in regions of Central America and Western Africa. The incidence is higher in North America and Northern Europe. Even within the United States, this disease is much more common in African-American men than in any other group of men. It is least common in Asian and American Indian men.

Lifestyle

There is also considerable evidence that some Western lifestyle factors play a role in the occurrence of prostate cancer. However the specifics as to which lifestyle factors are involved are still not very clear. Nonetheless there are suggestions that excessive intake of calorie, dietary fat, and refined sugar increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. Also reduction in the intake of fruits and vegetables, reduced exercise, and overall higher obesity rates are also considered to increase the risk of having it. Specifically, obesity has been clearly shown to increase risk of death from prostate cancer. Thus, the simplest advice for avoiding death from prostate cancer is to prevent obesity and if you are obese, to lose weight and keep it off.

Also there are some food components that have been suggested to protect men from the risk of prostate cancer and amongst this is soy protein which could also be a factor in the reduction of the prevalence of prostate cancer in Asian countries and is therefore regard as the most protective dietary factor against prostate cancer. Also the intake of green tea by residents of Asia has been adduced to contribute to the low prevalence of prostate cancer in that region.

Equally, the intake of dietary substances such as lycopene and fish oils is believed to help in reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer. Cooked tomatoes are rich sources of lycopene. Lycopene are antioxidants that may protect cells from becoming cancerous. Fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) are thought to reduce heart disease due to reducing inflammation. Given the presumed importance of inflammation in causing prostate cancer, it stands to reason that fish oils may prevent prostate cancer. Other food components that have been suggested to protect men from the risk of prostate cancer include carotenoids, pumpkin, spinach, watermelon, and citrus.

However, regarding the issue of prevention of prostate cancer, there is still a lingering controversy about true prevention. Consequently, most physicians believe that there is no easy substitute for a healthy lifestyle involving eating a healthy diet, avoiding dietary excesses, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, getting lots of exercise and being physically active, visiting the doctor on a regular basis, and most importantly achieving and maintaining a normal body weight.

Treatment For Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men apart from lung cancer. More than 2 million men in the United States suffer from this dreaded disease. However, with the recent advancements in the field of medical research and science, the number of patients succumbing to this disease is gradually going down.

Prostate cancer treatment can be broadly classified into local therapy and systemic therapy. Procedures like surgery and radiation therapy are local treatment options used to control the disease in a particular area inside the body. Hormone therapy using agonists is a systemic treatment option used when the cancer converts into a metastasis and affects various organs.

Surgery involves removal of a part or complete prostate gland, a process known as prostatectomy. Different surgical procedures used include radical retropubic prostatectomy, radical perineal prostatectomy, laproscopy, TURP, cryosurgery and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Surgery is the most common treatment in early stage prostate cancer. Side effects of surgery include impotency, dry orgasms and urinary incontinence.

There are two different types of radiation therapy available for treating prostate cancer. One treatment option uses externally-produced radiation beams to kill cancer cells. Alternatively, there is another procedure known as brachytherapy where radioactive material is implanted into the affected area in the form of small seeds. Radiation coming from the seeds is enough to destroy cancer cells in the vicinity. Side effects of this therapy include diarrhea, problems during urination, dry skin and permanent hair loss.

Hormone therapy involves usage of drugs that block the androgens required for the growth of prostate cancer cells. These drugs are known as agonists. Some important drugs include Lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists like leuprolide and goserelin, anti-androgens like flutamide and nilutamide and drugs like ketoconazole that prevent adrenal gland to synthesize testosterone. Physicians can use these drugs individually or in a combination.

A patient should always consult a specialist and get a second opinion about the diagnosis and treatment procedure before starting the treatment.

9 Tips - How to Avoid Prostate Cancer

Healthy foods is proved can help you to avoid you from having a prostate cancer. Eat more foods with low in fat and high in fiber, or foods that contain omega-3, such as beans products such as tofu and soy beans, tomatoes or foods containing tomato sauce, vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage as well as salmon, tuna and sardines

The study also found another way to help to reduce the riskof this disease, such as drinking a glass of red wine or green tea, also supplements such as vitamins D and E and selenium.

Age above 50 years it is one of the risk factors of prostate cancer. More than 65 percent of a person that diagnosed for this cancer for the first time is within age of 65 years and above. Another data mention that 90 percent of prostate cancer deaths are in men over the age of 65.4 years.

Let's look at some of the following factors that could reduce the risk of prostate cancer:

1. Improve general health conditions.
Keep your body at a healthy weight for your height. If you suffer from obesity then see a nutritionist to set a balanced diet. You can combine it with sports activities.
2. Drink lots of water. Water is essential to health because it helps reduce the toxins from the body. The ideal water consumption per day is 6 to 8 glasses a day. Coffee and tea are not included.
3. Reduce alcohol consumption.
4. Eating foods that contain lots of lycopene, such as tomatoes and fruit bits.
5. Eating foods that contain omega-3 such as soybeans and products such as tofu or soy milk, salmon, tuna and sardines.
6. Eat foods that contain beta-carotene such as carrots
7. Reduce consumption of meats and fat
8. Make sure you get adequate intake of selenium and vitamin E
9. Finally, reduce stress and depression. Find activities or exercise to help to calm your mind.

Advanced Prostate Cancer - Life Expectancy - Part 1

Many people don't really know what to expect when it comes to prostate cancer and so they end up with different conflicting views about the condition, especially when it gets advanced. There are those people that have ended up making very dire mistakes because they don't really know what IS, when it comes to this deadly disease. The first part of this article looks at the advanced stage of the condition and what to expect in terms of life expectancy.

Advanced Prostate Cancer life expectancy may vary from person to person based on the merits of an individual case. Usually, doctors are not very keen on disclosing such information for fear that it might affect their patients in a physiological and psychological level, but knowing that that is usually the question that patients most need answers to, they are often forced to speculate.

But how much speculation really is in it? Late stage or advanced prostate cancer is not considered as being curable to a large extent, although it is still very treatable. Usually the doctors offer the best of palliative care that they have access to in order to improve the quality of life of the patient. Palliative care for advanced stage of the condition focuses on extending life and relieving the symptoms of the disease.

After being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, many men are told that their disease is untreatable and that less aggressive treatment is best. Life expectancy is often placed somewhere between five and eight year with watchful waiting or even some mildly aggressive form of prostate cancer treatments.

The Impact of Prostate Cancer on Men's Mental and Emotional Health

George Cooper, a petroleum truck driver was diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age of 53 years old. His initial reaction was anger. He couldn't accept the fact he had cancer considering he still has 3 sons and a daughter who depend on him. He was also afraid his wife would think little of him once he sought treatment and suffer from the side effects. He knew what was in exchange for cure... his inability to perform in bed. It was too much for his ego to take that George not only had to deal with prostate cancer. He also had to struggle with depression.

George is just one of the many men who develop depression because of prostate cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society states that 25% of cancer patients battle against depression. Let's try to dissect what's going on inside a man's mind as he deals with prostate cancer from start to finish.

Initial Reaction Following Diagnosis

Most men who find out they have prostate cancer may feel a mixture of emotions such as anger, denial, despair, anxiety, loneliness, and confusion. Then they will have to worry about a lot of things...its impact on the family expenses, work, insurance coverage, things like those.

But if you come to think of it prostate cancer is actually a slow growing cancer. It means that the cancer cells usually progress or advance so slowly that you may even die of other causes first before you even exhibit its symptoms. And when diagnosed in its early stage prostate cancer is actually 100% curable. Another reason to be hopeful for is that prostate cancer has a 100% 5-year survival rate and a 91% 10-year survival rate.

Still no matter how hard you try to convince a prostate cancer patient that a rainbow comes out after every storm, you can't control what goes through his head. Depression may set in at any time, be it after diagnosis, during treatment, or after treatment. Though usually it starts to sink in once the side effects of prostate cancer treatment start to come out.

Dealing with the Side Effects of Treatment and Their Impact

Basically the side effects depend on what kind of cancer treatment is used. Things to expect are impotence, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, hot flushes, muscle loss, and bowel dysfunction. And it's not just these they need to deal with. Their impact on the mental health of every patient could be greater.

Overcoming the Male Ego

Let's face it. Men have to feed their egos. And knowing that your performance in bed which used to have five star ratings can now only be rated as zero to one is certainly a major downfall. So you lose your self-confidence. And you get depressed over time.

So how do you deal with depression?

The best advice is to voice out your fears. Sure it's not easy for any man to tell the whole world that you're weak. But you're no superman. Even superheroes get hurt. One reason why men get depressed is that their feelings are always kept bottled up inside. So you have to find an avenue to let your emotions out. Get into counseling or stress management program. Or see a psychiatrist specializing in cancer patients so you can be given appropriate therapy.

Advice to Women

The women in the lives of these prostate cancer patients pretty much have an important role in keeping them from depression. If your husband is going through prostate cancer or perhaps recovering from treatment, here are tips you need to keep in mind to make sure you give him all the support he needs.

Tell him that you're always there to support him.

Make him feel that you love him no matter what and not just for sex alone.

Keep an open communication with him. Give him all the reassurance he needs and that you're always ready to listen to him.

Tell him that you're dealing with this problem together and he's not alone.

Diet and exercise have also been found to help reduce the chances of developing depression. Sad thing is that several of these men often do not realize that they're already into depression. Or rather they're in denial. So acknowledging your feelings is key to mental recovery. Then you can go from there.

Prostate Cancer Survival Rates

Prostate cancer survival rates indicate the chances a cancer patient has of surviving the disease for a specified length of time. The rates are by no means a definite indicator of what will happen to a patient; they can at best predict a patient's chances of what might happen to him, if a type of treatment plan is opted for, based on what has happened to other patients in similar circumstances. They serve as a guide to a patient and his family to know what they can expect if they choose a particular type of treatment or if they should consider one at all rather than just opt for pain relievers and sedation.

Prostate cancer generally affects men over the age of 50. Many men are affected by an overgrowth of the prostate tissue as they age. Many a time this overgrown tissue is benign, but sometimes the overgrowth is characterized by abnormal cancerous cells leading to prostate cancer. The disease can be present for years without the patient being aware of it. The most common symptoms it can cause once it begins to make its presence known are pain and difficulty while urinating and erectile dysfunction.

The overall prostate cancer survival rates are very high when compared to most cancers. Currently in the United States, only 3% of patients succumb to the disease. The overall 5 year survival rate for prostate cancer in the US is 100%, the 10 year survival rate is 92% and the 15 year survival rate is 70%. The high prostate cancer survival rates are primarily because nearly 91% of cases in the United States are detected while the cancer is still localized and contained within the prostate or in nearby areas.

Prognosis and treatment is based on a grading system, generally the Gleason system which allots grades from 1-10 based on how much the cells in the cancerous tissue resemble normal prostate tissue. A score of 2-4 is considered as low grade, 5-7 as intermediate grade and 8-10 as high grade. Higher the grade, the more quickly the cancer will spread.

Prostate cancer survival rates are among the lowest for men whose cancer has breached the prostatic capsule. On an average 46% of patients with metastatic prostate disease die within 22 months of diagnosis and scarcely 32% will reach the 5 year survival mark.

In general, prostate cancer is a very slow growing cancer with a higher incidence in the developed countries. It is believed that this may because most men in the developing world succumb to other illnesses long before the prostate cancer has a chance to grow to the magnitude where it will cause mortality.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms - Do Your Changes In Urination Mean Cancer?

Prostate cancer symptoms may not be noticed before prostate cancer is detected from a routine PSA blood test, which is a test done to screen men for this form of cancer. However, some men will experience changes in urination or pain, which could be an indication of cancer. This article will share how to identify symptoms that need medical attention.

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It is a small structure about the size and shape of a walnut that wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that transports urine out of the body.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms And Causes

Prostate cancer may not be noticed in its early stages. In more advanced cases, the following symptoms may be seen:

• Difficult urination in which the urinary stream is slow or delayed


• Decreased force in the urine stream


• Dribbling after urination ends


• Leakage of urine


• Straining urination with a sensation that the bladder was not able to empty completely


• Blood in the urine or semen


• Discomfort in the pelvic region


• Bone pain

Many of these symptoms mimic a common problem seen in men as they age, which is an enlarged prostate. This problem is termed Prostate Hypertrophy or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and is typically a benign condition.

The cause of prostate cancer is not fully understood but risk factors have been identified. Men who are at higher risk include:

• African-American men


• All men over the age of 60


• Men with a family history of cancer of the prostate

Other risk factors may include:

• Obesity


• Men who eat a high fat diet, particularly animal fats


• Exposure to agent orange or cadmium


• Farmers


• Tire Plant workers


• Painters

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment

In some cases, the aforementioned symptoms will be notice but most cases of prostate cancer are detected from a routine screening tests. These tests may include a Digital Rectal Exam or a blood test called a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test. If abnormalities are discovered with the screening tests, your doctor may recommend further tests to confirm the diagnosis such as an Ultrasound or a biopsy of the prostate.

A biopsy is the only test that can positively confirm the presence of cancer and if cancer cells are present your results will be reported using something called a Gleason score. The Gleason score is a way of evaluating how aggressive your cancer is with 2 being nonaggressive cancer and 10 being very aggressive cancer.

Your doctor may order additional tests to determine if the cancer has spread such as a CT Scan, Bone Scan or MRI.

Treatment of prostate cancer will vary from individual to individual and will be determined based on a number of factors such as how fast your cancer is progressing, if it has spread, your age, your overall health and potential side effects of the treatments.

Some men may not require immediate treatment especially if they are diagnosed very early or if they are of advanced age. In these cases the doctor may take a "watchful waiting" approach in which regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and possibly other tests (i.e. biopsies) are performed to monitor the growth of the cancer.

In other cases where the cancer is detected early, your doctor may consider surgery and radiation therapy. Other forms of treatment may be considered especially if the cancer has spread. These other treatments may include hormone therapy, cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment and chemotherapy.

Sex After Prostate Cancer - Your Sex Life Isn't Over

For a man who has had his prostate removed or knows that this procedure is necessary, there will be issues to deal with pertaining to sexuality. When there are changes that happen to the body, there are changes that also take place in the mind and the emotions.

So many men I have spoken to in addition to their wives, lovers, partners, and friends have told me that they didn't have enough information and help with the emotional aspects of surviving prostate cancer.

First, if you want to have romantic times, you can. Will you be able to do the exact same things as before the prostate is removed, no, not exactly, but your sex life isn't over. Life and love can definitely take place after the prostate has been removed.

For the parties involved the most important factors will be attitude and desire. If both parties want to figure out what sexual activities can work to make each of you happy and satisfied, the relationship will be smoother than if you don't.

We had two very different challenges when my husband became a prostate cancer survivor, after his prostate was removed with nerve-sparing surgery

One side of the recovery after the cancer was removed along with the prostate was the fact that he had a healing process. My husband would explain that in his mind, he wanted to just bounce back to how life and sex was before the prostate problems and the prostate removal.

There's a secret thought that one day he would wake up and be back to normal as he remembered and knew normal sexual relationships. He never woke up to that and life was different. The body, as amazing as it can be and miracles are possible, is a human body that tends to take time to heal.

The healing process tends to be slower than we want it to be because we are just used to instant stuff. We are not patient and we are less patient with ourselves. Then, when the body isn't healing and bouncing back like before and we are faced with leakage and wearing Depends when we want sex or at least something sexier than what we have, depression can be an issue.

I wish I could say that depression wasn't a big problem, but it was in our lives. The depression and frustration fueled wanting to drown the emotions and thoughts in alcohol and until we could turn this around and find the ways to improve our relationship, things were rough.

It was time to make new choices and find a new pathway to an improved relationship and a satisfying sex life, although different.

You might find it inspirational to know that when my husband realized some of his physical limitations, he decided he would find pleasure in pleasing me and it changed his whole outlook and focus.

The patient who is doing his best to survive the cancer doesn't always feel fabulous. When he is not feeling great, it's easy for him to be self-centered and only concerned with his well-being and not to be focused on your happiness, pleasure, and enjoyment.

It is often only because the patient has not been shown there's another option and possibility, a possibility that can have a positive impact on the marriage or relationship. This uplifting focus on doing other things to improve the sexual relationship can be just you your relationship needs.

About seven years ago as I began writing articles on EzineArticles.com about sex after prostate cancer from a wife's perspective and this lead to thousands of readers of this content. Every month, more and more people told me they read my articles and asked for more.

As a woman, I try to have a softer and more sensual approach and to always keep in mind that sometimes simple pleasures as the best. One way to make relationships a little brighter is to add some sensuality: which means gratification of the senses.

Ask yourself, what would you like to see, hear, taste, touch, and smell? Sensuality is not always about sex, it's about finding ways to enjoy and what you are sensing-from all of your senses.

As I listen to the radio I hear more ads for solutions to male problems and the one that is being presented more frequently includes injections to help a man have an erection. For those who are healthy enough to have sex, check with your medical professionals and ask for recommendations to support groups and other specialists as necessary to help you bounce back in the bedroom.

Another important relationship changer can be when you consider your partner and how he or she might feel and to explore their needs. What will it take to make them happy or satisfied. The patient often is concerned with his condition and can get lost in feeling badly or less than sexy. The patient can easily forget to pay attention to his or or loved one.

One day I interviewed a woman who was in the sex toy business and I said that sex toys should be viewed as an enhancement in the bedroom, not a threat. If someone can't perform on their own or they don't want to or just don't feel up to it, there's a device that would help out.

Once you've had the type of examinations you have had to check your prostate, there's no need to be shy about the rest of your sex life and relationships. It's time to be more open and to ask questions and to reach out for help and open-minded possibilities for a better future.

Take your recovery and experiences step-by-step. It is not necessary to do too much at once or to be overwhelmed because life is not easy and things aren't changing fast enough. A little improvement can lead to a lot. Be gentle with yourself and your partner.

Keep updated about how to improve your life after prostate cancer by reading more books and articles. Help encourage others. This will also make you feel better.

Is Prostrate Cancer Inevitable?

This is a question asked often by men of all ages. Now if you live long enough the odds greatly increase. So in Western societies it may seem it is inevitable. This article will explore that issue.

Guys if you are under forty five years of age it is quite uncommon. However for you men by the time you are eighty, the sad percentage that have it is between seventy and ninety. This is most common type of your cancer in men. As a matter of fact the average age at diagnosis is seventy two. Not so good is it?

Naturally you can do nothing about your age. And you certainly can do nothing about your family history. If your grandfather, father, brother or your son have had prostate cancer your odds are higher. Also this disease is even more prevalent among African American men.

But all is not lost, there is growing evidence that you actually can reduce your risk of it and maybe even slow it down if you already have it. Nothing new about this to me as you must simply change your diet. I have been saying that to everyone for years, but if you have it or at risk for it, does it not make sense to change? And it may be just some moderate changes.

Now it is worthy of note that in Asian countries, where their consumption of soy, fish. and produce is very high and their red meat and dairy consumption is low, their rate of prostate cancer is ten times lower than in the Western countries. As you all know we in the Western countries fill our plates with red meats and fatty dairy products.

There is good news for you in that most prostrate cancers are slow growers. The fact is that with early detection many doctors just take a wait and see approach. Of course there must be careful monitoring.

But guys why sit back and wait for the devil to attack, why not see if you can beat him to the punch. You can take a big step in the right direction regarding delaying its development or not getting it at all. The answer should be obvious to you by now, eat more foods like tomatoes and broccoli. So yes, you can make this a problem you can live with rather than die from.

So you must watch this issue and who knows you may even be in that percentage that does not get it, that is, if you moderate your diet as in the Asian countries. And as always you must live well to be well.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Cancer of the prostate is the most common type of cancer among men in the United States. It is second only to lung cancer in claiming lives. Although it can develop at any time in life, prostate cancer affects mostly older men over the age of fifty.

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system responsible for making and storing seminal fluid. Located between the bladder and rectum, the prostate in a healthy adult male, weighs around twenty grams and is about three centimeters long. There are many glands in the prostate and it is in these glands whose cells can mutate into cancer.

What causes these cells to mutate is still unknown, although genetics and diet are two known factors. This type of cancer is a slow growing cancer, which is good news when detected early. In fact, it can grow so slowly that many men will suffer from it for years but end up dying from other causes.

Unfortunately, many times there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, it can easily go unchecked. Due to its location in the pelvis, prostate cancer can easily spread to other parts of the body. Prostate cancer sufferers have a higher rate of bone cancer and cancer of the lymph nodes. As the cancer progresses, the sufferer will begin to experience more and more pain. The sufferer will have trouble passing urine and experience erectile dysfunction.

Unless there are symptoms, the only way to detect prostate cancer is through an examination, a prostate specific antigen lab test (PSA), or biopsy. The most common treatment methods are surgery (radical prostatectomy), radiation therapy and chemotherapy

Hormone Treatment For Prostate Cancer - The Pros And Cons

There are several types of treatment that is often recommended for prostate cancer and there are pros and cons to each one. Hormone treatments do work relatively well for many men. In fact, hormone treatment for prostate cancer is one way that some doctors choose to treat prostate cancer. In men, testosterone is the main hormone found in the testes. Sometimes there is an overproduction of these cells. When this happens, cancer can occur. For this reason, some treatments include hormone treatment for prostate cancer. Some men may need a different form of treatment, especially if the cancer is in the late stages. However, this may be the right treatment for many. Here is a little about how this type of treatment works and the advantages and disadvantages.

How Hormone Treatment for Prostate Cancer Works:

The main goal of hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer is to block the testosterone and decrease the chances of prostate cancer cells from forming or growing. Doctors want to stop or slow down the growth of these cells. Hormones are almost always recommended for young men and those are relatively healthy. Medications are used for hormone treatments. Most doctors will prescribe these medications to take three times a day. In addition, injections are also given once every three months. Here are some advantages of hormone treatment for prostate cancer.

o This type of treatment is usually a good option for men that have caught the cancer in its early stages. It is gentler on the body than other types of prostate cancer treatment.

o It usually works well. Men who get this form of treatment find that it does work relatively well. Some people prefer waiting it out, however, hormone treatment can help in that situation.

Here are the disadvantages of hormone treatment for prostate cancer:

o If it begins to fail to work, then it will not begin to work again. This means that another form of treatment will have to be pursued. One other option is to have the testes removed to take away the possibility of the cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body. This is often the best form of treatment for late stage prostate cancer.

o It has side effects. Side effects of hormone treatment for prostate cancer include decreased sex drive, nausea, breast enlargement, liver damage, fatigue, weight gain, hot flashes and reduced muscle and bone mass.

o Typical hormone treatments will not kill the cancer cells. Instead, it will reduce the size and amount of the cells. This type of treatment is not effective or recommended for late stages of prostate cancer.

Only you and your doctor can decide what type of hormone treatment [http://www.prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com/Laser_Prostate_Treatment/] for prostate cancer is right for you. When you find out you have prostate cancer, the best thing you can do is to do your research and work with your doctor to find the best treatment.

The Most Effective Prostate Cancer Treatments

My grandfather had prostate cancer. Actually, he still does. I can remember him telling me about how when he went in for radiation, the technicians would get him all set up and then bolt from the room before they were zapped too. It kind of makes you wonder how something that is so dangerous that people would run from the room is supposed to heal your body. Although, like I mentioned above, he still has it. It's just been kept at bay for the past fifteen years or so. He goes in for a bi-yearly needle that costs $1500 a pop. Does that sound like an effective prostate cancer treatment?

It sure doesn't sound so great to me. Sure, he's still alive which is wonderful, but wouldn't a more effective treatment be to just get rid of it altogether with something that won't cause harm to other parts of the body?

And that is the main problem when it comes to conventional medicine's approach to prostate cancer treatments. They are ineffective, and all cause harm to other parts of the body. Pumping deadly poison into your body or blasting it with radiation can hardly be considered "healing." To really find the most effective prostate cancer treatments it's best to get out of the lab and back to nature. There are literally hundreds of gentle, non-toxic treatments that will actually get rid of your prostate cancer without harming any other parts of your body.

All I can say is that if you're really interested in the most effective prostate cancer treatments don't let yourself be led astray. Effective means killing cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Effective means getting rid of your cancer permanently rather than being strung along for years and years. The answers are out there. The choice is yours. All you have to do is take action.

Prostate Cancer - How to Help Your Spouse Dealing With Prostate Cancer

When your spouse has been diagnosed with prostate cancer it is important to let him know that you are there to support him. This is extremely important as he will be facing a number of unknown risks. A diagnosis of prostate cancer will actually be a life changing situation for both of you. This is why one of the most important things you can do is to assure him that you love him and that you will be there to support him in any way you can. Your love and support during this time will enable him to obtain the best results from his treatment.

A diagnosis of prostate cancer is typically made after a man has sought a physical exam due to prostate problems. This can be due to difficulty in urinating or incontinence. The physician will perform an exam including a digital rectal exam. This is an exam which checks for prostate abnormalities. A biopsy must be done in order for the physician to make a diagnosis of prostate cancer. If the results are positive for cancer the physician will discuss various treatment options. Typically, the physician will make recommendations for the treatment plan believed to give the patient the best possible outcome for recovery.

You and your husband can also do your own research about prostate cancer to learn more about this disease. You can also familiarize yourself with information concerning various treatment plans.This will enable you both to discuss the pros and cons of treatment. This lets him know that you are there for him and want the best possible outcome for him. Give him total freedom to discuss his fears with you. Also encourage him to seek another opinion. Most treatments for prostate cancer involve surgery, hormone or radiation therapy. These all have significant risks which you should be aware of. Learning as much as you can will enable you both to make an informed decision.

The most common reactions a man has after receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer are fear, anger, depression and uncertainty about their future. Many men are extremely depressed after learning they have prostate cancer. During this time it is important that you do all you can to keep his spirits lifted. Don't allow him to sit home alone and depressed. Invite friends or family members over to encourage him and to help lift his spirits. Also, plan other social activities as it is important to keep him surrounded with loving, positive people.

Once your spouse is diagnosed with prostate cancer make every effort to improve his diet. This would involve making sure he eats more fruits and vegetables. Also, reduce his consumption of red meat, dairy foods and foods high in sugar. This will help improve his immune system which will help him to be able to defeat the cancer.

Finally, have him join a support group for cancer patients. Some hospitals have support groups just for patients while others have support groups for patients and their spouses. These groups allow patients to discuss their concerns and fears with other patients. This lets them know that they are not alone in their battle. These groups enable patients to discuss things with a sense of safety and a willingness to help each other in their battle against cancer. It is important to do all you can to keep your spouse motivated both during and after their treatment.

Prostate Cancer - Are You Suffering From Prostate Cancer - How Will You Discover It

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate Cancer is the type of cancer that occurs in the tissues of a gland called Prostate. This gland is a small walnut-shaped located in the male reproductive system just below the bladder and in the front of the rectum.

What is its function?

Prostate Gland produces seminal fluid, the fluid that nourishes and transports the sperm. And this type of Cancer is found in the older men in most of the cases, especially among the American men.

In United States alone in 2007, a shocking estimate of 218,890 fresh cases Prostate Cancer has been reported, out of which 27,050 have died due to this disease.

This disease can spread (metastasize) to distant parts of the body. As the malfunctionality of the Prostate Gland directly and seriously attacks the sexuality in a man, Prostate Cancer is scaring the most of the men like hell. Men are becoming much more aware these days about the side-effects of the various treatments available. And its side-effects treatments include bladder control problems (incontinence), erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence.

And if this disease is diagnosed in time when it is limited to the prostate gland, there is a great possibility to get rid of it as there are a number of treatments available with short-term side-effects. If unfortunately the the cancer spreads beyond the prostate gland, then a successful treatment is left with the least possibility. It becomes much difficult to remove it. But there is no need to get disappointed about as there are a lot more ways to cure it.

Symptoms

As such there are no proven symptoms because it does not get easily detected in its initial stages. They usually get discovered when the cancer reaches one of its very advanced stages.

But to name, there are a few of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer that are found in certain cases.

Symptoms in Initial Stage

1. urgent and untimely urination

2. weak urine flow and leakage sometimes

3. difficulty in passing urine

4. discontinued urine flow

5. blood in urine

6. painful ejaculation

7. discomfort or dull pain in your lower pelvic area

8. frequent urination during night

9. loss of appetite and weight

10. constant bone pain

11. dull pain in your lower back, hips or upper thighs

12. painful urination

Symptoms in Advanced Stage

Bone Pain- When the cancer cells reach other parts of your body especially the bones, then bone pain occurs. This pain occurs in particular parts like in the vertebrae (bones of the spine), ribs or pelvis. Pain in your spine sometimes compresses the spinal cord and causes leg weakness and urinary and fecal incontinence (bladder control problems).

Through this information, it will become easier for you to diagnose whether the symptoms you are feeling in you are related to prostate cancer or not. So, that you can go for the treatment that you need.

I wish you the best of health always!

Prostate Cancer and The Alcohol Risk

Is there any relation between prostate cancer and alcohol risk? According to a new study published in Cancer Men who frequently drink alcohol a lot may be putting their selves at increased risk for the cancer. The study discovered too that heavy alcohol usage may reduce the likely preventive properties of finasteride, a drug that has been proven to decrease the risk of the cancer in a number of men. Liquor use appeared to give a reason for this increased risk. Any consequence of alcohol consumption might happen later in the growth of prostate cancer.

At the same time as scientists have gathered information in relation to how alcohol affects the human mind and body, a balanced picture is beginning to come out. A study might include some color to the picture, because it raises the expectation that red wine may decrease the prostate cancer risk.

Given that prostate cancer is complicated and partly understood, it's no surprise that studies of alcohol and the disease have generated mixed outcomes. Even if a number of researches involve heavy drinking as a risk factor, a good number of studies find no relation between drinking and the illness.

If you drink alcohol on a regular basis, think about cutting back. Even if the relation to prostate cancer isn't completely clear, drinking alcohol does increase the risk of some other types of cancer: throat, esophagus, breast, larynx, liver, and probably, the rectum and colon. The American Cancer Society suggests you restrict yourself to no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.

Consult to your doctor concerning other lifestyle options that can decrease your risk of cancer, including eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting exercise and getting cancer screenings on a regular basis.

Prostate Cancer: Alternatives For Prevention And Treatment

Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer among men, and more specifically, it is the second type of cancer that is most deadly among U.S. men. Despondently, aside from the lack of a cure, there is not a sure guide to follow in order to prevent it beyond any doubts, but there are some actions that can be incorporated to daily life that may aid in this prevention. Generally, the best initial approach is for men to learn about the risk factors; men who find themselves with a near-average risk of developing prostate cancer - be it due to advanced age, racial background, diet, and/or family history - must consider making choices in daily life, that is, exercising, having healthier meals, among many other life-changing selections.

Although there is not much substantial evidence to support them, some studies have pointed out that the choice of a diet that is low in saturated fat and high in fruits and vegetables is ideal for maintaining a healthy prostate. From a nutritional point of view, this is no surprise, for this type of diet is healthy for the human body in general, and has repeatedly proven to assist men in controlling their weight, and consequently the heart and the cardiovascular system. In studies that considered fat association with the risk of having prostate cancer, animal fats were found to be more associated to prostate cancer cases than plant-derived fats. Furthermore, some fish are also associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, more specifically those that have fatty acids (such as the omega-3) that healthily replace saturated fat in any diet. Other studies showed that diets containing olive oil, green tea and many vegetables, such as (cooked) tomatoes, soybeans and other legumes, might be linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer, particularly in advanced cases.

Moreover, a physician must always accompany any supplementation to the diet; for example, calcium in excess has been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer. Men in general must watch out to not exaggerate on their calcium consumption; either in daily meals, or in vitamin supplementation itself, the daily intake should not exceed 1500 mg. Also, consumption of any multivitamin is not recommended, since a man on a diet full of vegetables and fruits most likely will never need vitamin supplementation. Tomatoes have also been studied since they are well known to contain lycopenes, which are powerful antioxidants that may help diminishing or extinguishing cell damage, and such studies have shown a decrease in prostate cancer. Other antioxidant vitamins, such as selenium and vitamin E have also been the target of many studies, but with no real success or closure to the topic. However, eating all the vegetables and fruits in the world will not even come close to removing completely a man's risk of having cancer in his prostate. Therefore, men who are currently in one of the risk groups should consider not only these improvements in daily life, but also - and most importantly - should consult a specialized doctor to discuss whether having yearly digital rectal examinations, prostate biopsies, ultrasounds and/or prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests are the recommended choices for each individual case. Furthermore, a doctor must also be consulted in cases of stress, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and depression, since treating these conditions is of utmost importance for improving survival rates of prostate cancer patients.

A doctor for those cases in which risk reduction is needed may also prescribe medications, depending on the case. The two drugs that are currently under study are the hormone drugs named Finasteride and Dutasteride, because of their use in treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, which is not a cancerous condition, but also causes enlargement of the prostate. They are both 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. The 5-alpha reductase is the enzyme in the human body that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the key hormone that induces the prostate to grow. These inhibitors block the enzyme and prevent the formation of DHT, and consequently prevent prostate growth. Several studies of both these drugs have been performed in order to assess whether or not they can be useful in decreasing prostate cancer risk. In those studies, it was found that a group of men taking these drugs was less susceptible to develop prostate cancer after several years, when compared to the placebo-consuming control group; this did not interfere with death rates, on the other hand, as both groups had similar survival rates. Other drugs are currently being tested for their properties of lowering the risk of having this condition, but none have been proven yet to be helpful enough to allow doctors to recommend them to men in need.

Researchers worldwide are searching for genes that may be linked in any way with prostate cancer. Some of these genes have been identified and seem to increase the risk of the carrier of having cancer. British scientists discovered the PTEN gene, which is involved with prostate cancer, and is currently under study to reveal how it works and affects cancer. Other scientists from the UK unmasked another gene, called E2F3, which seems to be overactive in advanced prostate cancer cases. This could help doctors to determine which men really need treatment, while others may only need active screening. Yet another gene, the MSR1, was discovered in the USA and is found in some families that have an ongoing history of prostate cancer, and may be important in increasing the risk of the carriers having the same condition. Hopefully in the future these studies may make it possible for doctors to perform genetic tests for prostate cancer risk as it is being done nowadays with breast cancer.

While preventing and diagnosing are the first steps for dealing with prostate cancer, once it is found and confirmed, treatment is the only option. Each individual case will require different measures of treatment, depending on age and the degree to which the cancer has spread or not. Some men have tumors that grow very slowly and may never even need to be treated; in such cases, the tumor grows extremely slowly and because of this has little to no symptoms, therefore it is better to wait and monitor the patient than to give him drugs that may cause unwanted side effects. However, when the cancer is found to be aggressive, it will probably spread and, before it does, surgery is the best option. A surgical procedure to remove the entire prostate is called a radical prostatectomy, and may be done either by cutting into the patient's abdomen and removing the prostate, or by making small cuts and using special equipment, sometimes even a robot, to remove the gland. Furthermore, if the cancer is causing discomfort by pressing on the urethra, a transurethral resection of the prostate may also be performed to relieve the symptoms. In the past, some men even went the distance by removing their testicles, in order to halt testosterone production, aiming to control and even reduce the tumor. Nowadays this treatment is not recommended in most cases, since hormone therapy can have the same effect without the need for surgery, stopping the action of the male hormone. This hormonal treatment is generally used to reduce the chances of prostate cancer returning after other treatments have been performed.

Radiotherapy can be utilized to treat prostate cancer that has not spread outside of the gland, but is also effective in treating cancer that has spread and in controlling pain. In this type of treatment, a controlled beam of radiation is used to kill the cancerous cells, which in turn reduces the tumor. Radiation can also be delivered directly on the gland, by placing radioactive wires into the prostate. Some doctors use chemotherapy as well, using drugs to destroy the cancer cells, usually as a last resort if hormone therapy is not successful. Generally, a combination of these treatments is not recommended, for each individual type of treatment has its own side effects and all of them have a huge downside for those that undergo them. The best thing to do is try to prevent and know the risk factors by heart, so that one does not have to put himself through these treatments, that are uncomfortable and, in their majority, tamper with the proper functioning of the human body.

Aggressive Prostate Cancer - How to Deal With it - Part 1

Almost everyone frets when they hear about the aggressive stage or type of prostate cancer. I don't blame them because at this stage of the condition, it's very critical and dealing with it becomes incredibly difficult. The first part of this article looks closely at it and throws some light on how anyone can deal with it.

Aggressive prostate cancer is often determined not by the stage of the cancer, but by observing the disease for a while after diagnosis, even with treatment. After cancer of the prostate is diagnosed, the physician may decide more tests are necessary to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland in a process known as staging.

Early-stage cancers have not spread from the prostate or they only spread to nearby tissues and should be treatable, curable even. In some instances, though, if the patient is quite old, the oncologist may decide to forgo treatment and observe to see if the disease will continue to progress or if it will be slow enough for something else to catch and kill the patient first.

Later-stage prostate cancers have spread farther than the immediacy of the gland; likewise the more aggressive manifestations of the disease do so faster and are even more resistant to earlier treatments. As a result they would usually require more aggressive treatment.

On the one hand, treatment would be meant to stifle the growth and progression of the disease, whether in order to cure it, or merely to provide palliative care. The chances are that an aggressive prostate cancer would probably be also hormone refractory. If it is not, good for the patient; but if it is, then other remedies will have to be applied, perhaps immunotherapy, or chemotherapy, or even radiation treatment.

Prostate Cancer - Is There a Natural Way to Treat Prostate Cancer?

These days there are several men who suffer from prostate health problems or worse prostate cancer that can cause anyone thousands of bucks to undergo treatment in the form of surgery. It's a good thing there are natural ways of preventing yourself from suffering this condition. Treatments and several various expensive medicines can be converted into herbal medicines that may include zinc, selenium, lycopene, and saw palmetto.

Prostates in a male can be found in their sex organ, it is just about a size of a walnut that surrounds the urethra at the neckline of the urinary bladder. Therefore, most of the symptoms of this condition can affect your urination activities. In fact symptoms of this condition can be very annoying in times of your sleep since you can feel often urgency to urinate. Another symptom of this condition is you will find it difficult to urinate. Once you are suffering from these symptoms, you have to pay attention on visiting your doctor immediately.

But since men sometimes are hard headed and used to ignoring what they are feeling with the belief that it anything will just pass in a couple of days, result is that conditions become severe due to their ignorance and negligence. On the other hand, one great and natural way to treat prostate cancer is by taking regular foods that have lycopene, a carotenoid that makes the prostate healthy. Several studies have shown that the antioxidant function in lycopene may greatly eliminate the growth of the cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute also figure out that men who use to consume tomato goods are more likely the men that are not prone to prostate cancer.

It is because of the fact that tomato products especially the cooked one can provide more healthy benefits. Nevertheless there are other sources of lycopene that you can eat such as guavas, water melons, and pink grapefruits.

Prostate Cancer - Who's At Risk?

Introduction

Prostate cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid, the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is also the second most common type of cancer among men in this country and is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages. Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men and is rarely found in men younger than 40. It occurs in 1 out of 6 men and when confined to the gland often is treated successfully.

Risk

All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer. Besides being male, there are other factors, such as age,race, and family history that may contribute to the risk. Men at higher risk include African-America men older than 60,farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. The risk for developing it rises significantly with age, and 60% of newly diagnosed cases occur in men over the age of 70.

The greatest risk factor is age. This risk increases significantly after the age of 50 in white men who have no family history of the disease and after the age of 40 in black men and men who have a close relative with with the disease. Having a brother with prostate cancer appears to increase your risk more than having an affected father does. That risk is even higher when there are multiple family members affected.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling,Low back pain,Pain with ejaculation. Many men experience no symptoms; the first indication that they may have the disease is often an abnormal finding on a routine screening exam. Symptoms are more likely to appear as the cancer grows.

Treatment

Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or control of hormones that affect the cancer. Treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. The appropriate treatment is often controversial. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all treatment options. Chemotherapy is often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Gland Removal (radical prostatectomy) is often recommended for treatment of stages A and B.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old. Often there are no symptoms in its early stages. If it has spread, it may be treated with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, or chemotherapy.

World Statistics For Prostate Cancer

Reliable prostate cancer statistics for the entire world are often hard to come by, but it is extremely important to try and gather statistics if a way of preventing it is ever to be discovered. However, it is possible to tell that prostate cancer rates vary greatly across the world and even amongst countries. There are some patterns to the spread of prostate cancer, and these are outlined below.

o Prostate cancer is least common in Eastern/Southern Asia. It is also least common amongst all Asian men, whether they are living in Asia or not.

o It is most common in the United States, where it causes death of men more than any other type of cancer apart from lung cancer. It is also common in Europe, for example in the UK it is the second most common cancer. It has been speculated that this is because of the higher rates of detection in these countries however.

o Prostate cancer is most likely to occur in men aged over fifty years old.

o In England in 2001, the relative five year survival rate for men with prostate cancer was 71 percent. This is a 40 percent increase on 1975. Prostate cancer survival rates have been increasing for over twenty years now in developed countries.

World statistics for prostate cancer can be found, but it is much more beneficial for an individual to look at the statistics in their country as the survival rates vary greatly from country to country and between continents. If you have any concerns about your health you should always contact your GP or doctor.