Showing posts with label Prostate cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prostate cancer. Show all posts

Monday, December 29, 2008

You Have Nothing To Lose By Taking A Prostate Cancer Screening Test; Or Do You?

At a certain age men must decide whether or not to undergo prostate cancer screening tests that will help determine the exact level of PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen in their blood; when the PSA level rises so too do the risks of developing prostate cancer. Furthermore, when the results of a PSA blood test indicate elevated levels of PSA it is then necessary to undergo a number of biopsies of the prostate. In case cancer is detected it will mean having to find a suitable treatment for the condition.

Will It Save Lives?

Some of the more common prostate cancer treatments available include surgery as well as external or internal radiotherapy and even ultrasound. However, before selecting a treatment option it also means needing to undergo prostate cancer screening; many people however wonder whether or not such screening tests will be of much help in saving lives or not. The fact of the matter is that only quite recently the US Preventive Services Task force issued recommendations in regard to whether or not it will benefit you to get prostate cancer screening tests done.

According to these recommendations, it is unwise for men over the age of seventy-five to undergo prostate cancer screening because of absence of any proof that treatment of prostate cancer in patients of that age will indeed help save their lives; or, even increase their lifespan. Furthermore, these same guidelines mention that there is no way to conclude whether or not prostate cancer screening will actually even help persons who are aged below seventy-five.

Opponents of prostate cancer screening argue that there are many dangers to performing these tests including side effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence and more. According to them, these downsides far outweigh the benefits such as increased lifespan. It is really up to the individual to decide whether or not prostate cancer screening is beneficial to their health.

In any case, according to American Cancer Society Guidelines, the prostate cancer screening must be offered to those males that have attained fifty years of age and who have a reasonable chance of living for another ten years. In addition, it is also recommended that prior to administering the prostate cancer screening test, the patient must be informed about the pros and cons of the test so that they can decide whether to proceed or not.

It is also necessary to understand another form of prostate cancer; benign prostatic hyperplasia or enlarged prostate is something that affects men in their middle to late years. In regard to whether it is wise to get a prostate cancer screening test done or not you will do well to consult with a medical healthcare professional to find out whether relative advantages outweigh the relative disadvantages; if so, then you can go ahead and get the prostate cancer screening test done.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

What about Natural Treatment for Enlarged Prostate?

The National Institute of Health estimates that over half of men aged 60 or more have enlarged prostates. For men over age 70, the percentage is over 90%. However, not everyone is eager to take medications that may have unpleasant side effects. Some men prefer to pursue homeopathic or other forms of natural treatment for enlarged prostate. As with any course of treatment for a medical condition, you should consult your doctor. You should also be aware that an enlarged prostate can indicate the presence of prostate cancer; treatment must start early in order to be most effective.

Changing Your Diet

To naturally promote prostate health, you may want to increase your dietary intake of whole grains; fresh, unrefined, or organic foods; soy protein; beans; seeds; nuts; and cold water fish such as tuna, salmon, halibut, and sardines. You should also avoid junk food, refined sugar, dairy products, hydrogenated oils, and alcohol (especially beer). Adjust your intake of water to include a number of ounces equal to 50% of your body weight (if you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water). Dietary supplements that can support natural treatment for enlarged prostate include amino acids such as glycine, alinine, and glutamic acid (200 mg of each daily), beta-sitoserol (to reduce cholesterol, which can also contribute to enlarged prostate), flaxseed oil or meal, flower pollen (used in Europe for over 25 years to naturally treat enlarged prostate), and zinc picolinate.

Herbal Medicines

Though herbal medicines have the advantage of rarely producing side effects, you should be very careful of their purity, potency, and consistency. For this reason, it is best to consult with your doctor or a homeopathic physician to determine that your herbal medicines do not include synthetic fillers or binders. As with other pharmaceuticals, you should not exceed the recommended dosage. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is thought to inhibit the body's production of dihydrodrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that promotes prostate growth. The recommended dosage is 320 milligrams of extract each day. Also, pygeum (Pygeum africanum) is thought to be a natural treatment to reduce enlarged prostate symptoms. The recommended dosage is 100 to 200 milligrams of extract twice daily. Extract of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) at a recommended dosage of 120 milligrams daily, may also reduce symptoms.

Non-medicinal Natural Treatment for Enlarged Prostate

Some patients can achieve temporary relief of painful symptoms by taking a warm sitz bath. Alternating warm and cool hydrotherapy has the additional beneficial effect of increasing blood flow to the pelvic region, promoting the removal of toxins from tissues and sometimes reducing swelling.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Most Common Men’s Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. One in four men diagnosed with cancer in men in the UK have prostate cancer. The majority of cases of prostate cancer occur in men over the age of 70. Nearly 700,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually worldwide. The highest incidences of prostate cancer occur in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Western and Eastern Europe. Prostate cancer is least common in East and South East Asia.

Treatment for prostate cancer has dramatically improved over the last three decades. Whereas in the 1970s three in ten prostate cancer patients survived, about seven in ten prostate cancer patients survive today. A common method of treating prostate cancer is through hormonal therapy. Hormone treatment for prostate cancer is most commonly used to reduce testosterone to castrate levels.

Methods of Treatment

Radiologists use a number of different approaches when treating prostate cancer. Treatments for prostate cancer include: active surveillance, prostatectomy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer is most commonly used in conjunction with other forms of treatment.

Patients who are not eligible for surgical removal of the prostate (i.e: prostatectomy) usually receive hormone therapy for prostate cancer instead. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer is sometimes implemented in conjunction with surgery or radiotherapy.

How Hormone Therapy Words

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer helps to control prostate cancer by reducing levels of male hormones (androgens) in the body. Thus, hormone therapy is also known as androgen suppression therapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are the two major male hormones which hormone therapy for prostate cancer seeks to control. Androgens are produced chiefly in the testicles and stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow. By lowering the levels of androgens in a patient, hormone therapy for prostate cancer causes prostate cancer cells to either reduce in size or grow at a decelerated rate.

When to Use Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is applied in a number of situations. When prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate or one is unable to receive surgery or radiation, hormone therapy is used. Hormone therapy is also applied when cancer returns to the prostate gland following surgery or radiation therapy. Often hormone therapy is the first method of treatment implemented, particularly if the patient is deemed a high risk candidate for cancer recurrence. Finally, hormone therapy may be used to try and shrink the cancer. While hormone treatment for prostate cancer does not cure the disease, it is most effective as a supplementary form of treatment.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Understanding About Prostate Gland Stimulation

The prostate gland is a walnut sized gland that is in the male body, and which is located in front of the rectum and underneath the urinary bladder. The main job of the prostate is to make some of the fluid that protects and nourishes the sperm cells in semen. If you are a man, even if you have never experienced any problems with your prostate before, you want to be educated on prostate gland stimulation.

Prostate Gland Stimulation

Prostate gland stimulation, also known as prostate massage, is used to describe the massage or stimulation of the prostate gland in males, either for medical or sexual purposes. Prostate massage is part of the standard digital rectal examination that is routinely given to men by urologists in order to look for signs of prostate cancer.

Prostate gland stimulation, or prostate massage, can also be in the sexual form, which is given to give pleasure to the man. Done internally either by lubricated fingers or a prostate massager, this is a private massage that can be given and which may result in ejaculation without any genital stimulation.

You need to be very careful when you are giving a prostate massage, and no more pressure should be used than the amount you would use while rubbing your eyes. The procedure is initially undertaken gently using the index finger and then you would start to rub with other fingers.

By being as educated as possible on the topic of prostate gland stimulation, you will ensure your prostate health is maximum and avoid dangerous and potentially life threatening prostate infections and diseases.

The prostate is one of the most important glands in the man’s body, and there are some necessary steps that every man needs to take in order to ensure that he keeps his prostate in the best condition. More than anything this refers to eating a healthy, well balanced diet, and getting plenty of exercise.

Even if you can only get out for a half hour here and there, you will still be getting out and getting active, and this is the important thing.

If you want to learn more on this you will want to speak to your doctor, as they will offer you more advice on this matter and be able to offer you tips on the different things that you can do in your life to make positive changes and make sure that your prostate is in optimum health.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Basics Of A Prostate Exam Procedure

Most men are terrified by the though of the prostate exam procedure. The prostate exam procedure should not be as nerve racking as it sounds, but most men will end up with prostate cancer so it is a necessary thing. The key to getting through the prostate exam procedure is understanding why it needs to be done and trying not to dwell on it too much.

Why The Prostate Exam Procedure Needs To Be Done

Cancer is probably the deadliest disease in the world and will continue to be so until a cure is found. One of the most common ways that a man can get cancer is from his prostate. This organ for whatever reason seems to inevitably create cancerous cells. Without regular prostate exam procedures these cells can go undetected and spread to other areas throughout the body where they can cause significant harm and damage. It is highly recommended that you take the time to be sure that your prostate is in good order so this does not happen.

Early detection is the key to prevention and through the prostate exam procedure you can detect the cancer and treat it as soon as possible. Without the current prostate exam procedure detection would be complicated and difficult. The current prostate exam procedure is very simple and quick with little no physical side effects. The mental effects, well that is completely up to you. You have to put yourself in the right mindset before the procedure. It is not fun, and no man I know of looks forward to it, but it is a necessary procedure that ensure your overall longevity and health.

So, in conclusion if you plan to stay healthy regular prostate exam procedures are necessary. Doctors recommend that you have prostate examined yearly. In addition to that if you are in a high risk group to get the cancer I recommend doing self examinations every couple months. With practice these self examinations are very easy to perform and you can do them on your own in the shower. If you notice anything unusual let your doctor know right away so it can be properly addressed. Without proper detection the disease can spread rapidly and will result in your death. Once the cancer gets to your lymph nodes it can spread anyway and destroy your immune system. In your bones it can stop production of white blood cells which will kill you in no time flat. If you decide to not get a prostate exam procedure done you might as well put a gun in your mouth and pull the trigger.