Important Information On What Is Considered The Best Treatment For Prostate Cancer

Have you recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer? If so, you need to sit down and discuss all the possible treatment options with your doctor. Some treatments may not be appropriate for you, so it's important to determine which options are most suitable. There are a number of factors that need to be considered when determining which type of treatment is likely to be the most effective. It's often quite difficult to determine which treatment is most appropriate, as it depends how much you give to each factor. Some men also find it difficult to cope with the idea of living with the side effects of certain treatments, such as baldness, impotence or urine incontinence.

Initially, you need to consider basic factors such as your age, overall level of health, your goals for treatment, and how you feel about possible treatment side effects. These should be discussed extensively with your doctor and partner. If something is really bothering you, it's important to share that with your doctor. You have a right to be fully informed about all your options. Addressing your concerns and trying to find a treatment that is effective but still acceptable to you is part of the duties and obligations of your doctor. If you don't care about side effects and you just want to get rid of the cancer, fine. But if your concerns are substantial, even to the point of being more important than curing the cancer, then you need to share those concerns upfront.

It's also important to think about your age. If you're already in your 70's and your health is poor, it may not be the preferred choice to follow an aggressive treatment regime. Prostate cancer is a relatively slow growing cancer, and it can take years before it spreads into other parts of your body. If cancer is left alone, and not operated on, it's often found that it grows even slower. So you could use this to your advantage. Instead of risking your life by undergoing surgery, it may be a better choice to undertake hormone therapy. This is unlikely to get rid of the cancer, but it can retard its growth to a great extent. The advantage of hormone therapy over other more invasive treatments is that it also has very few uncomfortable side effects.

If you're only in your 50's or 60's, or even if you're older but in good health, then you might be more interested in the treatments that offer the best chance of a cure. These can include things such as radical prostatectomy, external radiation and radioactive treatment, as these are generally considered the most effective methods for eradicating prostate cancer cells. However the side effects of these treatments can be serious, ranging from urine incontinence to impotency. This is why it can be very important for you to consider all factors before choosing which treatment option you want to pursue. There's no need to make an instant decision, you should take the time to discuss treatment with your family and partner. Whatever decision you make, the support of your family and friends is very important.

For even more important and essential information on prostate cancer treatments, prostate cancer diagnostic testing, and prostate cancer symptoms please visit the OnlineProstateHealthGuide.com

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options: Discussing Your Options With Your Oncologist

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer is by no means a death sentence as compared to previously. There are a number of prostate cancer treatment options available. You need to speak with your oncologist to find out which option works best for you.

Learning about your prostate cancer diagnosis may be difficult to accept initially. So you should get your oncologist to answer any questions you may have. He should be able to give you very helpful advice. You may consider bringing a family member with you for the consultation for extra support.

A good tip is to ask your oncologist if he has any leaflets or any book that you can read about the various prostate cancer treatments. As you consider over your prostate cancer treatment options over later, you may need to refer to the facts or what was discussed over during the conversation.

Also ask your oncologist to explain the different prostate cancer treatment options to you in layman's terms. Medical jargon can be difficult to understand and confusing to a mind that is under stress. So, the simpler the way things are explained to you, the better.

In general, there are about three major forms of prostate cancer treatment; surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Hormone therapy is also often used as a complementary therapy. A combination of the three main treatments can be used together or in conjunction with hormone therapy. The type of prostate cancer treatment that you receive will depend on how extensive and advanced your cancer is.

When the initial cancer spreads to the surrounding tissues and then to other sites in the body, the type of prostate cancer treatment used will become more palliative than curative i.e. the treatment will slow down the growth of the cancer and help control the side effects rather than actually curing the disease.

Factors such as your age, general health and what you want to achieve from the treatment will also be taken into consideration. If you are an elderly person, you may decide not to proceed with surgery due to the side effects. In this case, you may prefer not to take drastic measures except to slow down the growth and spread of the disease. Younger men however may prefer to get rid of the cancer completely and hence would prefer to choose surgery. Surgery may also be followed with radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancerous cells.

There are a lot of things to consider when you choose your form of prostate cancer treatment. As such, you should not rush through your decision. Make sure that you have full information before you make a decision.

Early detection helps in your prostate cancer treatment. For more information and practical tips, please visit the site at www.Prostate-Cancer-Treatment-Hub.com

Prostate Hyperplasia: A Brief Explanation

It has been found that almost every man over the age of 60 will develop one of the numerous conditions associated with the prostate gland. Many of these conditions tend to exhibit only mild symptoms until they are well developed. This means that if you are affected, you may not even realise that you have a problem.

One of such conditions is known as Prostate hyperplasia, also known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). Although it is not cancerous, it can cause the same prostate symptoms as prostate cancer. Prostate hyperplasia is present in about 90% of men over the age of 80. However, unless it causes the prostate gland to become grossly enlarged the symptoms are relatively mild and attributed to the rigors of old age.

The cause of prostate hyperplasia is not accurately known. Many researchers and oncologists believe that it is a hormone related condition. The male hormone testosterone is converted to a secondary hormone called dihydrotestosterone naturally in the body and when this secondary hormone binds with specific receptors in the tissues of the prostate gland, cellular growth and division becomes over-stimulated. Thus the prostate gland becomes enlarged so producing prostate hyperplasia.

Certain families of drugs can be used to reduce the amount of testosterone in the body or to stop the available testosterone from binding with the receptors in the prostate gland. This acts to stop prostate hyperplasia from developing further and may even reduce the size of the prostate gland over time. Unfortunately drug therapy for prostate hyperplasia is an ongoing therapy and if diagnosed with the condition you will be required to take drugs daily for the rest of your life.

Prostate hyperplasia symptoms are very similar to those of prostate cancer. Do take action if you notice the following:

* Difficulty urinating
* Urinary leakage
* Pain when urinating
* A feeling of urgency to urinate
* Increased night time urination
* Any other problems associated with urinating

As mentioned above prostate hyperplasia is usually easily controlled and treated with simple drug regimes. But if the symptoms are due to cancer, then surgery may be required.

Still you should not imagine the worst. A diagnosis of prostate hyperplasia does not necessarily mean that you are going to have prostate cancer. Admittedly some cases of prostate hyperplasia do progress and become cancerous. However, with early and continued treatment, the condition can be effectively controlled and enlargement of the prostate gland reduced.

Early detection helps in your recovery and your prostate cancer treatment. For more information, please visit the site at www.Prostate-Cancer-Treatment-Hub.com

Treating Erectile Dysfunction Successfully In Prostate Cancer Survivors: Appears Unachievable!

Whenever a person falls prey to erectile dysfunction, a hellish phase starts off in his life for the obvious reason that erectile dysfunction turns his life upside down by making him incapable of physically uniting with his partner. The pain and suffering is doubled if by any chance, while being treated for erectile dysfunction the physician identifies you as a victim of prostate cancer.

But, wait! Don?t be too worried. A ray of hope has entered the lives of people suffering from these two deadly disorders simultaneously since the effective action of Cialis on erectile dysfunction patients suffering from prostate cancer came to light in a recent experiment. A group of Dutch scientists experimented the anti-impotency drug Cialis on erectile dysfunction patients suffering from prostate cancer and found that under the influence of Cialis, the victims emerged successful in getting rid of impotency in spite of prostate cancer continuously wreaking havoc in their lives.

The results of the experiments conducted at the Erasmus MC-Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center in Rotterdam showed that 48 percent from among the group of erectile dysfunction patients suffering from prostate cancer were able to achieve successful sexual intercourse with their partners after being administered with Cialis. Further it became apparent that 67 percent out of the total Cialis administered patients set off erections of remarkably good quality while from the placebo administered group only 20 percent were able to achieve that.

Cancer in any form is very scary and threatening. Whether it is lung cancer, throat cancer or any other type of cancer, the patient undergoes tremendous agony which further makes him mentally and physically sapped of energy. At such a crucial juncture the combined effect of erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer can leave the patient nowhere for which he should immediately rush for a suitable treatment as soon as he is identified with both these ailments.

Male erectile dysfunction is a specific disorder in which blood in sufficient quantity fail to reach the penile section for which it becomes absolutely impossible for the patient to trigger off erections necessary for physical intercourse. Notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, on being applied to the system, drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra inhibits the PDE 5 enzyme and accelerates the effect of nitric oxide which further ensures sufficient blood flow to the penis.

To sum it up finally, any of the FDA approved erectile dysfunction medicines would be suitable for your war against male impotency. But when certain risky conditions come along with your erectile dysfunction, e.g. prostate cancer, extra caution and care should be maintained. On being clinically tested Cialis has been found a worthwhile cure for people afflicted with erectile dysfunction as well as prostate cancer. But don?t dash off for the medicine immediately. Arrange for a face off discussion with a doctor, disclose your problems in front of him and take his advice whether Cialis would be the right pick for you. Proper consultation with a physician is of utmost importance while starting a whole scale war against impotency as you can avail of an effective and safe treatment only by treading on cautiously.

The writer hs written informative articles and pieces on the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis and other issues related to male impotency. For further tidbits on these subjects, visit the website http://www.buy-cialis-online-now.com.

What Causes Prostate Cancer - The True Environmental Factors Behind The Problem

What causes prostate cancer? The world around you. Doctors and scientists are starting to take note of the environmental factors as a serious cancer risk, and the cancer prevention techniques many suggest may not always be possible depending on where you live.

What Environmental Factors Can Put You At Risk?

Many scientists have begun to link the occupation of farming to prostate cancer in an attempt to answer the ?What causes prostate cancer? question. Why farmers? There are several reasons that farmers might have a higher risk of prostate cancer than other occupations. One reason farmers might have a higher susceptibility to conditions like prostate cancer is some of the chemicals they use in their daily jobs. Pesticides and growth enhancers have both been linked to problems with the human body, and because these chemicals have not been existence long enough to complete long term studies on their effects on the human body, it is quite possible that they are the reason for the higher risk to farmers. Another possible reason to the answer ?What causes prostate cancer? in terms of those in the farm industry is engine exhaust. Farmers work around many different kinds of vehicles, and the fumes each engine puts off places them at a higher risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals that cause the body to overload with toxins, creating conditions like prostate cancer.

Farming, though, is not the only risk profession in terms of cancers. Another high risk profession for prostate cancer is mining. Most miners have high levels of cadmium exposure at some point in their careers. While many people are exposed to cadmium, few are exposed at the rate most miners are. Because this can get into your blood stream through your pores, it can also cause serious problems with organs and glands like the prostate.

What causes prostate cancer? We may never know for sure, but environmental factors may be putting you at risk. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your risk factors.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of ProstateHealthAdvice.com which provides prostate cancer symptoms and treatments of everything from an enlarged prostate to prostate cancer

What Is A Radical Prostatectomy

A Radical Prostatectomy is a major operation which entails the removal of the prostate gland, a section of urethra which runs through the prostate, the seminal vesicles, and tying-off the vas deferens, along, generally with a margin of other tissue surrounding the gland. The bladder has to be 'purse-stringed' back down in order to reattach the urethra, and an 'anastomosis' is created at that point. The surgery generally destroys one of the sphincter muscles which control urinary retention, and incontinence is a common side effect, along with the impotence created by the removal of the erectile nerves, and possible injury to any remaining nerves, as well as penile arteries and other musculature. It takes a fairly long recovery period before any normalcies return.

Because the prostate is what produces the semen, losing ejaculatory capabilities is a given for this surgery, and possibly the TransUrethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), or TransUrethral Needle Ablation of the Prostate (TUNA) procedures as well. Those are done by going in throught the end of the penis, and are far less impacting, and much more minor procedures than the radical operation.

The general understanding is that the term "radical" is employed when cancer is present. In rare cases, open prostatectomy is conducted for BPH, the benign enlargement of the prostate that interferes with urnination. It is my understanding that open proastatectomy for BPH is only done when the prostate has grown to an abnormally large size and TURP would be dangerous.

Sen blo is interested in men's issues such as prostate

What are the Best Prostate Supplements for Male Health?

There are a number of prostate supplements on the market all promising to boost male health and prevent BPH and prostate cancer. But not all of these natural remedies have science behind them, so it's important to choose wisely when it comes to men's health supplements.

By the age of fifty, over half of the male population will face a condition known as benign prostate hypertrophy, an enlargement of the gland caused by the accumulation of DHT, a derivative of testosterone. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including a lack of the mineral zinc, a vitamin B6 deficiency, fatty acid depletion, toxins, bacteria or pesticides. Any of these can contribute to the conversion of testosterone to DHT, causing the gland to swell.

Supplements for prostate health can address these issues, and not only help prevent BPH but also help alleviate the pain and slow the progression of an existing prostate problem. That's why more and more men are turning to natural prostate supplements to give them a fighting chance and decrease their risk of prostate cancer.

One of the most popular and well-researched prostate suppliments is saw palmetto, an herb from a tree native to the Atlantic seaboard. The active ingredient of this herb is beta sitosterol, a powerful compound that can actually interfere with the conversion of testosterone to DHT. As such it can prevent enlargement of the gland. It has also been shown to go one step further and shrink the prostate as well as relieve urinary problems associated with the condition.

Red clover is another of the popular supplements for prostate health, and acts in a similar fashion to saw palmetto extract. It's a member of the pea family, and can inhibit DHT formation through its powerful antioxidant ability.

In addition to the prostate herbs there are vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can be helpful to men. As we mentioned above, a lack of zinc can exacerbate the problem, so ensuring that your body gets enough of this essential nutrient is crucial. It is also an important part of many other body processes.

The B Family of vitamins can also help; in particular B6 should be present in all prostate supplements. This vitamin regulates the hormone involved in testosterone conversion to DHT. As such it is able to ensure that benign prostate hypertrophy is kept in check, and even prevented.

Another nutrient making headlines is lycopene, which can be found in many popular male formulas. This is a powerful extract from tomatoes which can reduce inflammation and prevent the onset of prostate cancer. Although you can get it from eating tomatoes, a supplement can ensure lycopene content, where the fruit might be lacking by the time it hits store shelves.

Before choosing any supplements for prostate health, make sure you speak with your doctor first and discuss your options. Although many prostate suppliments are available as stand alone products, you might reap more benefits from a comprehensive formula that contains herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals and other ingredients for male health.

Since BPH affects so many men, it's important that we learn as much as we can about this condition. Prostate supplements just might be the answer to the problem.

David Bloom is a health enthusiast and contributor to many fitness sites. He is the author of Prostate Supplements, a section of Herbal Supplements Guide dedicated to treating specific men's health concerns.

 

What Is Prostate Cancer - Understanding It

What is prostate cancer? This is a question many people have asked themselves after they, like millions of others, have been diagnosed by their doctors with the problem. An answer to the question of ?What is prostate cancer? isn't an easy one either.

Defining the Disease

The first step to finding the answer to this fairly common question is to understand the basic nature of the disease. Prostate cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland. It can be caused by a number of factors, and if it is treated immediately, it is unlikely to be fatal.

Who Gets Prostate Cancer?

This question is a bit tougher to answer than ?What is prostate cancer.? Scientists are desperately trying to find a connection among victims of this horrible form of cancer so as to better understand the course of the disease itself. In general, prostate cancer victims are thirty percent of all male cancer cases in the United States. Black men tend to suffer from the problem more than white men, and the older you get, the higher your risk factors are for prostate cancer. The country at highest risk for prostate cancer is Scandinavia, and men in China are at the lowest risk in the world for developing the disease.

When Should I Start Checking?

Doctors suggest that only nine percent of men in their twenties develop prostate cancer, but, interestingly enough, many men who die of other, varied causes, show signs of prostate cancer in a posthumous examination environment. Because it can be so hard to spot, most doctors recommend that men start checking for this deadly killer by the time they reach age forty. Many suggest a prostate exam is necessary on a yearly basis.

Understanding the answer to the question ?What is prostate cancer,? is truly necessary for the complete eradication of this horrible condition.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of http://www.prostatehealthadvice.com which provides the causes of prostate cancer and treatments of everything from an enlarged prostate to prostate cancer

Important Testing Procedures For Prostate Cancer That You Should Know About

When you mention prostate cancer, many men start to panic. The reality is, though, that prostate cancer is very similar to other cancers, in that the earlier you find it, the better your chance of successful treatment. Once the cancer has developed too far, however, it becomes extremely difficult if not impossible to treat. The risk of developing prostate cancer rises dramatically over the age of fifty, so it's important that men in this age group are checked periodically for prostate cancer.

While screening for prostate cancer is not a routine procedure, the required tests are available upon request. Regular testing is very important for a number of reasons. Firstly, once you pass the age of fifty, you're at a much higher risk of developing prostate cancer. It's generally believed this risk continues to rise as you get older. Above the age of seventy-five the risk rate skyrockets. Around fifty percent of the cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in this age bracket.

It's also believed that genetics play a part in how much at risk you are. If you have a family member with the disease, it's important to realize your chances of getting it are much higher. So regular checks will help you detect it earlier. Certain racial groups are also more prone to prostate cancer. Asians are generally considered low risk, whereas Americans, African-Americans and Europeans are higher risk. Be aware, though, that Asians who've lived in the US for an extended period of time start to show higher rates of prostate cancer that are more in tune with the risk level of Americans.

Prostate Cancer Tests

There are a number of different tests used to detect prostate cancer, and your doctor will usually use more than one before giving you a conclusive diagnosis. Detection is most effective when a number of tests are performed.

Firstly, everybody's favorite - the rectal examination. The subject of countless jokes, this involves a doctor inserting a gloved finger into the patient's anal tract so that he can manually feel the prostate gland. This is a good way of detecting an enlarged prostate, but cancer is not the only cause of an enlarged prostate. Still, this is a quick and simple way of detecting one of the possible symptoms of prostate cancer.

An ultrasound can also be performed, which involves (here we go again!) inserting a small probe into the patient's anal tract. An ultrasound scan of the prostate is then conducted. The scan accurately reveals the current size and shape of the prostate.

If all this talk about the anal tract is bothering you, then the next test will sound much better - the PSA blood test. In medical terms this is called the prostate-specific antigen blood test, and is one of the most common tests used in the detection of prostate cancer. The levels of this particular antigen are checked, and if they're on the high side, this can be an indicator that prostate cancer is present. Again, this has to be verified with other testing as well, as some other conditions can cause a rise in PSA levels.

If there are concerns, a biopsy may be undertaken. During this procedure a small sample is taken from the prostate for further analysis. To do this, a small probe (don't you hate that word?) is inserted into the anal tract, and the prostate is poked with a needle to obtain a sample.

It's also possible, once cancer is suspected, that an x-ray will be taken of the bones located near the prostate. Quite often prostate cancer doesn't just affect the prostate, but spreads into the lymph nodes and nearby bones. An x-ray will show any damage that's been done to nearby bones.

For more information on prostate cancer diagnostic testing, natural prostate cancer treatment options, prostate cancer symptoms and gleason scores try visiting OnlineProstateHealthGuide.com located at http://www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com

 

Prostate Cancer Information

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, apart from skin cancer. After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men.

In this year, around 234,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US. In 2006, approximately 27,300 men will die from prostate cancer in the US alone. One in every 8 Canadian men will develop the disease, and one in 3 will die from it.

Every man is at risk for prostate cancer. Black men have about a 60% higher incidence rate of prostate cancer than white men, and almost a two-fold higher mortality rate than white men.

Men most at risk include:

- Men over age 40
- North American and European origin
- Diets with a high fat intake
- History of the disease in the family.

The disease takes a long time to develop, and can be easily treated, if detected in its early stages. Prostate cancer can take up to eight to ten years to spread and become life threatening.

There are no specific prostate cancer symptoms, but some potential signs include:

- Frequent, difficult and painful urination
- Blood or pus in the urine
- Pain the in the lower back, pelvic area, or upper thighs
- Painful ejaculation

When speaking about medical options, doctors typically offer patients two choices: radiation therapy or surgery to remove prostate gland.

Studies show that that adding the following to your diet can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer:

- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Tomato juice
- Selenium
- Garlic

Here are 5 foods that can help prevent prostate cancer:

1. Black, pinto, small red and kidney beans.
2. Tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit.
3. Sweet potatoes, carrots and cantaloupe.
4. Broccoli, kale and cauliflower.
5. Soy milk.

Alex Fir shares a wealth of information on his website rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cancer-data.com/blog/">Prostate Cancer Information. To read latest prostate cancer news visit his site right now.

Prostate Cancer - A Nautural Cure Without Medication

Prostate cancer is classified as an adenocarcinoma, or glandular cancer, that begins when normal semen-secreting prostate gland cells mutate into cancer cells.

The symptoms or conventional treatment of prostate cancer will not be discussed here, as they are well documented, and a great deal of research has been underway for a long time.

Rather, our discussion is first of all the mutation of the normal prostate cells, and then, a restoration without mutation of new cells, letting the body?s immune system clear away the cancer.

Mutation of Prostate Cells

A genetic mutation is defined as a distinct change of the DNA sequence within a gene or chromosome of any organism. This in turn results in the creation of new characteristics or traits not found in the parental type.

Mutations occur very seldom on their own in nature. Instead, they are usually caused by mutagens (substances or forces that give rise to mutations). In the case of the cells of the prostate, these may be (often are) environmental in nature, or by direct invasion of strong radiating forces.

Whatever the specific cause, the cancerous mutations on the prostate gave rise to new cells that if generally left untreated, can metastasize, and end up with death as the result.

Conventional Treatment vs. Alternative Treatment

There are now several options available to the men afflicted with this condition. There is also an alternative treatment that can be used on its own, or in conjunction with any of the various conventional treatments available.

The alternative treatment suggests the afflicted man to get in intimate touch with his deepest self, and locate the perfect pattern of non-diseased genetic codes which produced non-diseased prostate cells.

Once this is done, the pattern can be superimposed on the cells of the prostate, and the new cells are produced to the original pattern. This is called application of the Konov Principle

The Konov Principle

Sergey Konov, a contemporary Russian film producer, writer and original thinker, has coined the phrase Genetic Memory to express the repository of all chemical-physical events in our bodily and mental existence.

Konov has explained that in the case of cancer of the prostate, the genetic memory has records of both the normal and cancerous genetic information.

By the application of addressing the genetic memory, one can re-establish the priority of the normal arrangement

Addressing the Genetic Memory

By following some basic yogic exercises in relaxation and concentration, one may become gradually aware of one?s inner and basic nature, including the mechanism of genetic reproduction of cellular material.

The technique of achieving this may be found in earlier articles covering application of the Konov Principle.

The actual possibility of discovering one?s ideal genetic combinations and then superimposing them upon the later, mutated variety is a real and practical possibility.

Doctors are still quite uncertain about the nature of the healing process, and quite impressed with recent ?placebo? cures occurring when patients believe strongly enough they are being treated.

These patients may have accidentally found their way to their own genetic memories, and healed themselves.

This article does not suggest you should reject medical treatment if you need it, but rather, should you find yourself ill, with say, prostate cancer, some deep self-realization techniques and practice, can bring you closer to realizing your own nature, and help yourself effect a cure.

MORE FREE INFO

On cancer including prostrate cancer and a wide variety of information on alternative treatments for a variety of conditions, as well as information on all apsects of health are available at http://www.net-planet.org

Important Information On What Is Considered The Best Treatment For Prostate Cancer

Have you recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer? If so, you need to sit down and discuss all the possible treatment options with your doctor. Some treatments may not be appropriate for you, so it's important to determine which options are most suitable. There are a number of factors that need to be considered when determining which type of treatment is likely to be the most effective. It's often quite difficult to determine which treatment is most appropriate, as it depends how much you give to each factor. Some men also find it difficult to cope with the idea of living with the side effects of certain treatments, such as baldness, impotence or urine incontinence.

Initially, you need to consider basic factors such as your age, overall level of health, your goals for treatment, and how you feel about possible treatment side effects. These should be discussed extensively with your doctor and partner. If something is really bothering you, it's important to share that with your doctor. You have a right to be fully informed about all your options. Addressing your concerns and trying to find a treatment that is effective but still acceptable to you is part of the duties and obligations of your doctor. If you don't care about side effects and you just want to get rid of the cancer, fine. But if your concerns are substantial, even to the point of being more important than curing the cancer, then you need to share those concerns upfront.

It's also important to think about your age. If you're already in your 70's and your health is poor, it may not be the preferred choice to follow an aggressive treatment regime. Prostate cancer is a relatively slow growing cancer, and it can take years before it spreads into other parts of your body. If cancer is left alone, and not operated on, it's often found that it grows even slower. So you could use this to your advantage. Instead of risking your life by undergoing surgery, it may be a better choice to undertake hormone therapy. This is unlikely to get rid of the cancer, but it can retard its growth to a great extent. The advantage of hormone therapy over other more invasive treatments is that it also has very few uncomfortable side effects.

If you're only in your 50's or 60's, or even if you're older but in good health, then you might be more interested in the treatments that offer the best chance of a cure. These can include things such as radical prostatectomy, external radiation and radioactive treatment, as these are generally considered the most effective methods for eradicating prostate cancer cells. However the side effects of these treatments can be serious, ranging from urine incontinence to impotency. This is why it can be very important for you to consider all factors before choosing which treatment option you want to pursue. There's no need to make an instant decision, you should take the time to discuss treatment with your family and partner. Whatever decision you make, the support of your family and friends is very important.

For even more important and essential information on prostate cancer treatments, prostate cancer diagnostic testing, and prostate cancer symptoms please visit the OnlineProstateHealthGuide.com

Prostate Cancer Survival Rates in UK

There are approximately 25 000 men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the United Kingdom. For these men the risk of dying from their prostate cancer depends on a number of risk factors. For example if the cancer is confined to the prostate gland at diagnosis the chance of surviving to 5 years is 70%. If the cancer has already spread e.g. to the bones then only 20% of men will survive to five years. Of all the men who currently have prostate cancer in the UK approximately 10,000 will die of the disease each year. The prostate cancer survival rate is much higher in the developed world - unsurprisingly.

When a man is first diagnosed with prostate cancer then the doctor who has found the cancer (most often a ?urologist? ? a surgeon who specialises in looking after problems to do with the kidneys, prostate and bladder) will arrange a series of tests to help assess the risk for that individual patient. The results of these tests will in turn help the doctor and patient to decide the best treatment for that patient.

Prostate Cancer Tests to Help Predict Survival

1. Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA

2. Digital Rectal Examination or DRE

3. Trans-rectal Ultrasound and Biopsy

4. CT or MRI Scan

5. Bone Scan

PSA This is a protein made by the prostate gland which can be measured on a sample of your blood i.e. a blood test. The PSA level can be raised by non cancerous problems with the prostate gland i.e. not all men who have a raised PSA have prostate cancer. Also some men who have prostate cancer will not have a raised PSA. However PSA does tend to increase as prostate cancers grow, invade and spread so PSA can be used to monitor how a prostate cancer is progressing or how it is responding to treatments.

DRE This is where a doctor feels the prostate gland through the back passage. It tells the doctor how big the prostate gland is, whether the cancer is able to be felt easily and whether it has invaded the area near by.

Tran-Rectal Ultrasound and Biopsy For this test you need to lie on your side with your knees brought up into the chest (same position as for a DRE). An ultrasound probe is then inserted into the back passage. This enables the doctor to see on a screen the outline of the prostate gland. There is no radiation involved. The image on the screen then allows the doctor to insert a needle safely into the prostate gland to take some samples of the prostate tissue. Usually several samples are taken from each area of the prostate gland. These samples are then sent to a laboratory to be looked at under a microscope. This allows confirmation that there is prostate cancer present and tells us how aggressive the cancer looks. Sometimes a local anaesthetic is used to help make the procedure more comfortable.

CT or MRI Scan This is usually carried out in an x-ray department and involves lying still on a thin couch which moves through either a big donut (CT) or into a long tunnel (MRI). This is not painful in any way. The pictures gained from this test helps the doctors to see whether the prostate cancer is still within the prostate gland or whether it had started to invade out of the gland into other surrounding structures. This tells the doctor what ?stage? the prostate cancer is.

Bone Scan This requires you to have an injection and then to lie on a special table where a camera scans the whole body. It shows up whether any of the bones in the body have been affected by the prostate cancer i.e. whether the prostate cancer has spread to the bones.

Prostate Cancer Stage and Survival

The stage of prostate cancer describes how far the cancer has grown and spread. It is assessed by a mixture of DRE and CT/MRI scans.

T1 Stage This is very early prostate cancer which can only be seen under a microscope. At this stage the cancer would not cause any symptoms. Men with this stage are at low risk from their disease may not need any treatment but surveillance. The original cause of a prostate cancer problem can be difficult to diagnose.

T2 Stage This is early prostate cancer but is now big enough to be felt by a doctor on DRE. This may still not have caused any symptoms. This is most often cured if treatment is undertaken at this stage and about 70% of men are still alive after 5 years i.e. average length of survival from diagnosis is well over 5 years.

T3 Stage This is locally advanced prostate cancer which has started to extend and invade outside of the prostate gland. This stage would often cause bladder symptoms in men. By this stage in the disease the chance of cure with treatments is reduced however survival is often around five years.

T4 Stage This is more advanced prostate cancer which invades the structures around the gland. At this stage there are often already secondaries e.g. bone metastases. If the disease has spread it is usually incurable but may be controlled for some time. The average survival is between 1 and 3 years.

Predicting Survival in Prostate Cancer

Doctors use a combination of risk factors to predict the behaviour of prostate cancer but cancers do not always act as expected. The factors they consider include the cancer stage (see above), the age of the patient, the PSA level and how quickly it is rising, and the Gleason Score. The Gleason score is a marker of how aggressive the cancer looks under the microscope and how much of the gland is affected by cancer.

Adrian Jones has a personal interest in promoting awareness and self-help in dealing with several forms of cancer. This article is from his website dealing with prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatments. He writes on other forms of cancer, including colon cancer. This article is available for reprint for your website and/or newsletter, provided that you maintain its copyright integrity and include this resource box information.

Prostate and Colon Cancer: Secrets to Healing and Understanding

This article will tackle the cause of two pandemic forms of cancer, cancer of the prostate and colon cancer. Scientists have determined that prostate cancer is an epidemic so vast that nearly one autopsy in two of older men reveals the presence of this cancer. Fortunately, this cancer is usually so slow growing that most men die of other causes, even as the cancer grows slowly within the prostate gland. Yet deaths by prostate cancer and the debilitating effects of prostate surgery still affect thousands of families today. In addition, nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate afflicts millions of American men with such symptoms as painful and frequent urination. As a therapist who specializes in discovering the underlying causes of disease, I have discovered, once again, the reasons for this pandemic can be found in the cultural habits of our society.

First, let?s ask the obvious question: what is the prostate?s job in a healthy individual? Although prostate conditions including cancer usually show up as problems with urination, the prostate gland is mainly about sex. The prostate?s job is to mix sperm with its own liquid secretions to produce semen, then through contractions associated with male orgasm, it propels this semen into the penis. When I have worked with men who have any prostrate condition I nearly always find that these men feel subconsciously frustrated and often guilty about their sexual behavior. Each case has unique elements. Therefore I will not claim that it is always one particular feeling or trauma. But my experience is that it always is about sex.

One client feels guilty about years of being unfaithful to his wives. Another feels remorse over years of visiting prostitutes, and having meaningless sex. Still another feels badly that he had sex with a wife he didn?t really love. So far I have not met any man whose prostate is complaining because it didn?t get enough sex. While I can?t rule out this possibility, it seems that wasting of one?s procreative life force is the issue which is locked into the prostates of most of my clients. (Incidentally, I always use open ended questions, and never use direct suggestion or leading questions in my work with cancer patients in order to minimize the influence of my own beliefs on the subconscious minds of my clients. In addition, when I began this research, I had no clue as to what might be found in the prostates of my clients)

This discovery of loose sexual behavior among the vast majority of my prostate clients is consistent with the ?sexual revolution? of the 1970s, in which sex went from being a form of recreation reserved exclusively for married couples, at least theoretically, to becoming a free for all. The Playboy philosophy, birth control, and the hippie and women?s lib movements combined to create unprecedented opportunities for men and women alike to spread their seeds to the four winds. While I too had the chance to celebrate and enjoy this new freedom, it is our prostate glands, concerned with such ?obsolete? concepts as romantic love, families, and children that I have discovered are in rebellion among so many men today.

As a hypnotherapist it is my job to listen to this prostate gland in a way that the client has never done. Indeed most clients are shocked to discover this throwback to conservative values living inside their bodies. Sometimes tears of remorse, dedication to a new lifestyle, even acts of atonement performed for women can help heal this condition. At other times, committing oneself to seeking a loving partner, even to reaching out to ones lost or grown children has proved valuable. I really don?t know what my client?s prostate needs to heal itself ... but fortunately that prostate always does.

Another kind of cancer epidemic is colon cancer. Well, it doesn?t take a rocket scientist to figure out the why of this epidemic either. We know that the colon is the place where waste is produced, and the water we need is pulled out. I have occasionally found unprocessed waste emotions in the colon, including anger, of which the client is often in denial. One client of mine who suffered severe ulcerative colitis screamed at me in a purple faced rage ?Damn it! I am NOT angry!!? when I attempted to point out, very politely, what I was feeling from him. Even residual traumas from toilet training can be found in there sometimes.

But the culturally common causes of colon cancer I have found is connected to the diet and lifestyle choices pursued by most Americans. All of these eating habits have been scientifically proven to have debilitating effects on the colon: large amounts of animal fat in the diet, too much melted cheese and white flour products, all of which stick like glue to the colon walls, where they rot and produce inflammation, too little vegetable fiber, including the raw roughage like lettuce and carrots that clean the colon like a bottle brush, and too little water. (okay, how many of you really drink the 8 glasses a day minimum recommended by doctors?) Also critically dangerous to the colon is our lifestyle choice of sitting for most of every day on our sedentary butts. Remember that as a species homo sapiens evolved to spend many hours every day in physical movement.

So any proposed solution to this epidemic requires a radical revision of our diet and lifestyle. Fortunately the services of a clinical nutritionist and hypnotherapist can be combined to make the transition to a healthy diet and lifestyle much easier. Hypnosis can help build motivation for exercise and can help strengthen our new dietary choices. It can also help uncover and heal the emotions that are stored in the colon. Combined with the latest in medical treatments, such methods offer far more promise for recovery than we could have hoped for 20 years ago.

If you or someone you know wants help in addressing the underlying cause of their cancer, visit http://FountainofYouthHypnosis.com and sign up to get a free MP3 download (worth $10) of a Self-Hypnosis Guided Visualization Journey to meet your "Inner Healer" and a coupon good for $100 hypnotherapy phone consultation or office visit. Get all of this plus a free series of instructive articles on improving physical health, healing injuries, resolving anxiety, phobias, depression and help with breaking addictions to cigarettes, food, alcohol or drugs.

Being Overweight Makes Hard The Prostate Cancer Diagnose

Have you heard the news about a relationship between obesity and cancer death rate? You should know that researchers evaluate that as many as 90,000 cancer deaths in the United States each year may be linked to obesity and, therefore, could be prevented.

Obesity and overweight may make it harder to diagnose prostate cancer, resulting to delayed diagnosis and leading some men at an even higher risk for dying of this disease. This is the conclusion of a recent multi-university study. As a consequence, the study authors are recommending that physicians be especially thorough when investigating fat men for prostate cancer.

According to the study findings, up to a level, prostate gland size grows as body mass index (BMI) increases. BMI is a body fatness evaluation formula based on weight adjusted for height. Due of larger prostate glands existed among obese men, doctors may be 20 percent to 25 percent less able to diagnose prostate cancer.

Most people don't think that obese or overweight condition is a risk factor for cancer. Usually, the prostate cancer diagnose is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack Going back to obese condition, the bigger the haystack is, the harder it is to find the needle. Therefore in many obese patients physicians may not identify prostate cancers at the right time.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in issues affecting men such as obesity and cancer

Enlarged Prostate Benefits From Saw Palmetto To Promote Prostate Health

Europe has been using Saw Palmetto to promote prostate health for years. Enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the herb saw palmetto has been studied in European labs for it's effectiveness in treating the disorder. American labs lag far behind in their research of enlarged prostate and herbs to treat it. Modern medicine in America frequently relies on pharmaceuticals sometimes to the detriment of natural herbal remedies. For instance, Doctors usually proscribe Proscar (T) and other prostate drugs which take time to become effective, unlike the Saw Palmetto herb which will kick in within 30 days.

The medicinal part of 'Serenoa Repens' or the Saw Palmetto is derived from the partially dried ripe fruit of the plant. The Saw Palmetto herb is indigenous to Southeastern United States but is most prevalent in Florida. It is the sterols and the fatty acids that are found in the berry that are the active ingredients. In Germany ninety percent of treatments for BPH use the saw palmetto herb, while in Italy it is fifty percent. Their successes have been many since BPH is nearly universal in the aging process of men.

A Study done in Russia tested 150 men with an enlarged prostate who had been diagnosed with BPH and other prostatic problems. Their findings concluded that Permixon, a European brand of standardized saw palmetto herb extract, had a long term efficacy and acceptability as therapy for BPH. The test was conducted over a period of 24 months and it was found that the quality of life from the base line study improved dramatically. The men had decreased prostate size, better urinary flow and increased sexual activity. The saw palmetto herb works by protecting the gland from irritating testosterone levels and will promote it to shrink.

Even better news about the herb saw palmetto, is that when used to combat enlarged prostate its side effects are almost none and it is non-toxic. Some men complained of gastrointestinal disorders but these were relieved when the herb was taken with food. There were some concerns in the early stages of study that the saw palmetto herb would mask prostate cancer by lowering the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. After much more study this was found not to be true.

Many studies show that you must buy a brand that is 'standardized with at least 85-95 percent fatty acids' with 320 grams of the herb. In a few cases when large amounts where used it caused diarrhea in some patients. Studies have shown that the saw palmetto extract is effective in 90% of the men in clinical trials in over a four to six week period. Pharmaceutical drugs have been shown to need up to a year for significant improvement. Another benefit is that saw palmetto extracts are about one quarter of the price of pharmaceutical drugs.

There have been other herbs that have be cited as beneficial to enlarged prostate such as, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed, zinc, green tea, South African star grass and melatonin. None are as effective or show the promise of the saw palmetto herb.

In conclusion the benefits of the Saw Palmetto herb for an enlarged prostate are many. It will reduce symptoms of BPH, with occasional mild gastrointestinal distress but this is infrequent. The herbal remedy will not interfere with a prostate cancer diagnosis and it has no known drug interactions. The dosage has widely been agreed on by scientists as 320 grams per day and will cost you significantly less then a prescription drug.

If you have an enlarged prostate and you are looking for an herbal remedy speak to your Doctor about taking the saw palmetto herb to relieve your symptoms. Always speak to your Doctor before adding any medicines to your regime whether they are natural herbs, vitamins or supplements.

Copyright ? Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

About the Author Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. Mary has also published articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking for more information on these subjects visit http://www.GardeningHerb.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com

Mary Hanna writes eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles. Visit her websites at: http://www.biaxininfo.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com All of the products recommended in this article can be found at: http://www.MedicalCheap.com

Symptoms of prostate cance

Related to the primary tumor:

* Asymptomatic * Poor stream * Retention of urine * Urgency * Frequency * Hematuria (blood in the urine) * Related to secondary tumor deposits: * Bone pain(back and pelvis): * Pathological fractures * Enlarged lymph glands * Kidney failure * Related to the general effects of malignancy: * Weight loss * Tiredness * Malaise * Anemia * Loss of appetite

Early prostate cancer is usually completely asymptomatic. By the time that prostate cancer becomes bothersome or clinically apparent it has usually spread beyond the confines of the prostatic capsule and is no longer amenable to cure. In the first world early prostate cancer is usually diagnosed following screening. Prostate cancer can also be a chance finding in the tissue removed by transurethral resection for suspected benign prostatic enlargement.

The primary tumor can cause lower urinary tract symptoms similar to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Obstructive symptoms include poor stream, incomplete emptying and straining while passing urine. Irritative symptoms include dysuria, frequency, urgency and nocturia. Prostate cancer can also cause blood in the urine but this is not common.

Prostate cancer typically spreads to the bony skeleton and the lymph glands of the pelvis. Bony metastases commonly involve the lower spine and pelvic girdle causing backache. Lymphatic involvement can cause swelling of the legs and obstruction of the drainage tubes of the kidneys (ureters). Prostate cancer can cause renal failure by ureteric obstruction or by bladder outlet obstruction.

With our next information - we will inform you about the "Diagnosis of prostate cancer" - so you should have a look on this site in the next 2 weeks! If you have any question send us your e-mail.

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