The Truth About Prostate Cancer Warning Signs

Prostate cancer warning signs...

Every man should be concerned about their prostate's health.

Indeed, for men not paying attention to it, it can be deadly as prostate cancer comes second only to lung cancer with respect to cancer-caused deaths for American men...and is near the top for Canadian men as well.

Prostate cancer is also the most common type of cancer for men in the United States. Tens of thousands of new cases are diagnosed yearly.

Although there is most likely a hereditary component to your chances of getting prostate cancer, like many things in life, a lot of it comes down to choices you make, such as taking quality prostate health promoting supplements and eating food for good prostate health.

Prostate cancer warning signs

Although the aforementioned prostate statistics don't seem to be good, the truth of the matter is that if prostate cancer is detected early, treatments are often very successful and chances of surviving are very high.

Therefore, one of the best things you can do other than take the necessary supplement and dietary steps to promote good prostate health is to have what is called a PSA test (prostate specific antigen tests) done every year. It doesn't take long and it's not painful so don't put it off.

The drawback of the PSA test is that it isn't perfect in what it reveals.

Now, what about prostate cancer warning signs?

Well, unfortunately, prostate cancer does not really give off any warning signs.

In addition, another confusing aspect is that most of the possible warning signs, if they appear, are also the same signs for other prostate health problems that are non-cancerous in nature, such as BPH, which is called an enlarged prostate gland.

However, these signs are still worth mentioning.

The following are some potential prostate cancer warning signs or signs of BPH:

• incomplete emptying of the bladder
• dribbling
• difficulty starting urination
• reduced force of the stream
• frequent urination of small amounts
• pain with urination
• ejaculation pain
• blood in the urine

Dietary and Supplement Protocols

Although saw palmetto is touted as the best herb to take for prostate health, it actually isn't. Something called Beta sitosterol is much better. Here's why:

Even the best Saw Palmetto supplements are comprised of 99% fatty acids and 1% sterols. The sterol component is where the therapeutic benefit lies (hence the name Beta Sitosterol).

In short, by taking Beta Sitosterol, you will be getting only the active component of Saw Palmetto that is responsible for its medicinal properties. Beta sitosterol is literally thousands of times more powerful than saw palmetto.

Other beneficial nutrients and supplements include: lycopene, pygeum, stinging nettle, and cornsilk.

With respect to food for good prostate health, recent research by the authoritative US National Cancer Institute revealed that men who consumed more than 1/3rd of an ounce of onions, scallions, garlic, chives per day were much less likely to have prostate cancer.

In conclusion, don't wait for prostate cancer warning signs or signs of other prostate problems to show up before you do anything about it.

On the other hand, if you are already experiencing possible signs of prostate problems, don't panic.

This is a very treatable condition if caught in its early stages. Just make sure you take appropriate action and talk to your doctor about it right away so you don't become a statistic.

Get more info on prostate cancer warning signs and supplements to consider using to promote prostate health at: http://www.nutritional-supplement-info.com/prostate-herbs.html

Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer

For prostate cancer treatment we give the patient hormones that will suppress the male hormones (andrones) in their body. Androgens (male hormones) are produced mainly in the testicles. Sometimes androgens will stimulate the growth of prostate cancer and speed up the growth of the cancer cells. If the levels of the androgens is lowered then the cancer will grow much slower and possibly shrink. Hormone therapy is not meant to cure the cancer in the prostate but if used in conjunction with other therapy such as radiation or surgery if their is a risk of recurrence.

There are numerous ways that the androgen levels can be lowered in the bloodstream:

Orchiectomy - is the surgical removal of one or both of the testicles which are the main source of androgen production in the male body. By removing the testicle or testicles the levels of male hormones will drop enough to slow the growth of the cancer

Luteinizin hormone-release hormone analogs (LHRH) - often chosen instead of having an orchiectomy, LHRH analogs are injected or inserted as small implants underneath the skin. These injections are usually given every month or ever 3, 4, 6 or 12 months. The LHRH analogs that are used most of the time are Lupron, Viadur, Eligard, Zoladex or Trelstar.

Antiandrogens - are given to block the action of the androgens (production of male sex characteristics). Antiandrogens are given in daily pill form and the drugs used are Eulexin, Casodex, and Niandron. Antiandrogen treatments is often used in conjunction with an Orchiectomy because even after the orchiectomy there are sill androgens that will be produced by the adrenal glands.

Estrogens - largely replaced by LHRH therapy because of severe side effects, the use of estrogens (hormones that produce female sex characteristics) was often used in the past as a substitute for Orchiectomy

Side Effects of Hormone Therapy

The side effects for Orchiectomy and LHRH treatment are basically the same:

-reduced or no libido (sexual desire)

-impotence

-hot flashes (these may go away with time)

-breast tenderness and growth of breast tissue

-osteoporosis (weakening of bones) leading to bone fractures

-anemia (low red blood cell counts)

-decreased mental acuity

-loss of muscle mass

-weight gain

-fatigue

-decrease in HDL ("good") cholesterol

-depression

The Side Effects of Antiandrogen Treatment

-diarrhea

-nausea

-liver problems

-tiredness

*Note that the biggest difference between the side effects of LHRH treatment and Antiandrogen treatment is when Antiandrogens treatment is given alone their are less sexual side effects. The patients libido and potency can still be maintained.

Many of the side effects noted above can be treated so if they do arise consult with you doctor about what can be done to reduce them.

Steven Wallace provides information about Prostate Diseases and Prostate Cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment options at http://prostate-answers.com

More Men Die With Prostate Cancer Than of It

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer. Every year it kills more than 30,000 American males.

There are two different types of the cancer - an aggressive and deadly one and the other a slower-growing and less harmful one. Making possible prostate cancer detection and its severity anticipation is the way to save thousands of men a year from surgery (treatment) they don't need. The big problem is not the surgery itself, but the situation they will face the side effects of that treatment such as impotence, bladder control troubles and possible worst conditions.

To be able for this performance, doctors use varying techniques. The newest methods involve 3-D mapping, a biopsy method in which a grid is placed over the prostate to evaluate the amount of cancer and its precise location. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) is another possibility to detect the severity of prostate cancer. Because PSA can reveal how quickly the cancer changes over time, specialists hope that they will be soon able to anticipate the more aggressive form of prostate cancer.

In the context of accuracy, more typical methods have recently been the subject of debate. One of panel conclusion was that the still standard biopsy helps doctors determine whether cancer is present.

Prostate cancer patients should be very interested in doctor's abilities and methods to determine the severity of their illness. They need a right evaluation of stage and progression of cancer as more men die with prostate cancer than of it.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues affecting men such as prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer Symptoms: Prostate Treatment, Radiation, and More

How common is Prostate Cancer and what are the Symptoms? Prostate Cancer Symptoms can be hard to detect but it helps to know what you are looking for. In this article Prostate Cancer Symptoms: Prostate Treatment, Radiation and more, my goal is to briefly introduce you to Prostate Cancer so that you have an outline of important information if you ever find yourself, or someone you love in this situation.

How common is Prostate Cancer? How do I know if I have prostate cancer? These are very important questions. Prostate Cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men and is usually found in men over 50 years of age. The best protection you can offer yourself from this life threatening disease, is to arm yourself with the knowledge that will help you to detect it early on. The faster you pick up on these Symptoms, the better off you will be.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms:

-Difficulty starting to pass urine

-Weak or intermittent flow of urine

-Dribbling of urine before and after urinating

-Frequent or urgent need to pass urine

-Need to get up several times in the night to urinate

-Bladder never feels completely empty

-Occasionally finding blood in the urine

One of the most common symptoms listed above is the difficulty starting to pass urine, but keep your eye out for the others. If you have any of these symptoms for prostate cancer, you should see a qualified doctor as soon as possible.

Most of the time if the cancer has not spread, treatment with Radiation Therapy will be the recommended procedure. Another common form of treatment is Radical Prostatectomy. This procedure involves having the whole prostate and its dependent parts removed. This is a very intense operation and is only recommended for those in good health. Doctors also commonly recommend hormone therapy to help suppress your testosterone levels. This will slow down the division process of the cancer. Hormone therapy can be used alone or with other procedures like radiation treatment.

Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill cancer cells, but Chemotherapy is only used when the cancer has spread past the prostate. The drugs used in chemotherapy are administered on an outpatient basis and do not typically require a hospital stay. I defiantly recommend researching the various treatment options in depth as the topic is worthy of a relatively large book.

For more Information on Cancer, take a look at our website dondino.biz.

We offer information on various types of Cancer such as Prostate Cancer, and various types of Cancer Treatments

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

The Best Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Early Treatment

Prostate cancer is a serious affliction that affects upwards of 200,000 men each year. Risk factors for prostate cancer can include age, race and health history. If diagnosed with prostate cancer your treatment options will be determined by these factors. Just like with any other form of cancer, the best prostate cancer treatment is available at the early stages.

Once diagnosed with prostate cancer, two main options will be presented. Choices are either surgery or radiation. Neither treatment has conclusively been found to be better. Chances are when faced with prostate cancer treatment options; your doctor will simply present the option they are most comfortable with as the best prostate cancer treatment. A consultation with a hospital oncologist should strongly be considered. An oncologist's expertise mainly centers on drug therapies like chemotherapy in treating cancer. Since prostate cancer (localized) cannot be treated with a drug therapy, you are sure to get an unbiased opinion as to your treatment options. One positive aspect of prostate cancer compared to other cancers, is the fact that it is remarkably slow. You may have several years before prostate cancer begins to spread, while naturally you are not going to take years to decide on a treatment plan, it is nice to know you have some time to make the right choice.

A hospital that centers on cancer treatment is going to provide the most treatment options and will have specialists in each field to render the best care. Don't settle for just one opinion. With a condition like prostate cancer, many doctors suggest waiting to see what the cancer will do. While "waiting" may sound like a bad idea when it comes to cancer, prostate cancer will usually afford you enough time to make a well thought out decision. Don't rush, but take time to do research as to what will be the best prostate cancer treatment for you.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of www.prostatehealthadvice.com which provides prostate health advice including symptoms and treatments of everything from an enlarged prostate to prostate cancer

PROSTATE HEALTH AND CANCER

RISK

The lifetime risk of dying from prostate cancer is less than 4%. Factors associated with risk of non-curable prostate cancer include age at the time of diagnosis, PSA level and density.

For a man whose father had prostate cancer, the risk is about two and one third times normal. Growing older raises your risk of prostate problems and tall men have a moderately higher risk of developing it, and 60% of newly diagnosed cases occurred in men over the age of 70.

Maintaining a healthy weight with regular physical activity may help to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

CANCER

Given the limitations of the current knowledge of the molecular pathology of prostate cancer, there are several viewpoints regarding the process of tumorigenesis. Widespread testing for early detection, utilising digital rectal examination and prostate specific antigen (PSA) has led to a significant clinical conundrum. To prevent prostate cancer, doctors recommend a healthy diet, low in saturated fats and high in fruits and vegetables, together with regular physical activity.

Rising PSA levels can be a sign of prostate cancer progression, which needs careful monitoring. Vasectomy for sterilisation has been linked to prostate disorders and even cancer, yet early prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms. If the cancer, however, has spread beyond the prostate, it can be difficult to treat and cure.

GLAND

In order to examine this gland, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and searches the prostate gland, noting any abnormalities in size, contour or consistency.

TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE (turp) This is a surgical procedure by which portions of the prostate gland are removed through the penis.

PROSTATALGIA. Pain in the prostate gland.

RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY. This is an operation to remove the entire prostate gland and seminal vesicles through the lower abdomen.

The prostate gland is a small gland in men and lies just under the bladder. Certain conditions of the prostate, may raise the level of a substance produced by the gland called Prostate Specif Antigen - PSA..The gland is covered by a membrane called the prostate capsule that produces the psa. Enjoyment of sexual activity is encouraged as it activates the prostate gland and keeps it from getting stagnant and inflamed.

PROSTATECTOMY.

Radical prostatectomy may mean the removal of the erectile nerves, but penile sensation and the ability to have orgasm are preserved. Currently the average hospital stay after such surgery is two to three days. Full activity can be resumed about a month after the operation. However, loss of ejaculation with orgasm may result.

FINALLY:

TEST.

The PSA is considered a better indicator of whether a man may have prostate problems. A PSA blood test is a laboratory procedure that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen in your blood. A high reading, however, does not mean that cancer is present, and by the same token low PSA readings do not always mean that the prostate is cancer free.

Tony Bryan ? 2006.About the author: Tony Bryan has health web sites the main one is at http://www.healthwyse-one.com You may reprint this article providing the 'About the Author' box is reprinted with it, otherwise copyright procedures apply.

Prostate Problems - Symptoms Causing Concern

Some blood in the urine... burning sensations... or even inability to urinate... all relatively serious problems which might also implicate the prostate.

BLOOD IN THE URINE

Just a few drops of blood can make the urine held in your bladder turn a red color. We're talking about haematuria. Don't panic - there's no danger - the presence of blood is more disturbing than dangerous. Drink a lot of water to rince it out then go and see your doctor. Haematuria may be due to one of the following:

* simple congestion of the prostate * a unirary infection inflaming the wall of the bladder and making it bleed * stones in the bladder which are irritating the wall * following some strenuous exercise

When the prostate is the cause, during urinating the blood will usually arive first followed by clearer urine. Such haematuria might occur from time to time and are not dangerous. However, if frequent, surgical intervention on the prostate might one day be required.

But note that, if you do have blood in the urine, it is of vital importance that its origin is determined. This will require a thorough urological examination including an ultrasound scan, intravenous pyelogram and fibrescopy of the bladder to determine or eliminate possible other causes (such as a bladder tumour or stones, or a kidney or ureteral tumor).

A BURNING SENSATION

If you feel a burning sensation while urinating, this is probably due to a urinary infection which is irritating the bladder or urethra. The burning is often accompanied by a frequent desire to urinate - up to a dozen times a night. However the urine flow will be week since the bladder hasn't had time to refill. Occasionally the irritation will be so great that the bladder might bleed. You might also have a fever which can signify that bacteria have penetrated the prostate (with associated risk of septicemia).

Such a urinary infection is diagnosed by a urine analysis and is rapidy treated with antibiotics. For urinary infections with fever, the treatmant will last about three weeks.

ACUTE URINE RETENTION

You haven't urinated for over 24 hours, the bladder is full, blocked; you want to urinate, but can't; your lower abdomen is distended and painful to the touch. Yes, the bladder is capable of holding over a litre (2 pints) of urine! This is acute urine retention.

There's no point in trying to force it or waiting. There's only one thing to do: insert a probe into the urethra and empty the bladder. You'll have immediate relief. Contact your own doctor or go immediately to your local hospital emergency department. The probe will remain in place for a few days to enable the bladder to relax. When it's removed you'll have about a 50% chance of returning to a normal urination frequency. But beware of any recurrence.

Acute urine retention can indicate prostate hypertrophy as yet undiagnosed due to the absence of other symptoms. It can also occur in someone undergoing prostate treatment, where it would indicate an evolution in the illness, and surgery might be necessary.

Once again, you should be aware of other factors which might lead to urine retention, such as taking certain cold and bronchial medicines, constipation, some anaesthetics, and excessive alcohol consummation.

So there you are. The above three problems are not uncommon, but they are often the cause of much undue worry for those suffering from them. Of course, they should all be reported immediately to your doctor and thoroughly investigated. But I hope that this short article will help to put your mind at rest and that in many cases, your problems might not be so severe or life-threatening as first imagined.

Dr. Tavares is a medical consultant with experience in traditional and complementary medicine. Her writing about prostate problems can be found at Prostate Cancer Answers.

Prostate Health ? Learn The Basics.

It can be frustrating and confusing to find out what really works for a man?s prostate health. In this article I?ve summarized some of the major guidelines and recommendations you should know. And if you?ve found something that has really worked for you, which you have verified through trial and observation, please let me know. I?d like to be able to share it with others.

First, read the following list of helpful hints related to improved prostate health and benign prostate enlargement.

1. Urinary tract infections (UTI?s) are mostly related to an enlarged prostate. Candida and infections like prostatitis are also related. Candida is a common and insidious condition you should be sure to eliminate. At my website I have a simple self-test for candida.

2. Do pelvic exercises to increase circulation by tightening your pelvic muscles intentionally at least 100 times a day. Raise your awareness of the inner world of your pelvic area. Give separate consideration to your buttocks, lower abdominals, scrotum, urethra, and sphincter.

3. Use Prosperon to raise your testosterone level naturally.

4. Drink plenty of water, every day, to flush out your system.

5. Move to a low animal-protein and grain-rich diet, or some variation on the macrobiotic.

6. Keep your weight in check.

7. Keep a journal in order to track and recognize, as soon as possible, what is working for you, and what is not. Think about your symptoms for yourself; don?t just depend on your doctor!

8. Realize that hormones are hormones and vitamins are vitamins. When his PSA test results were too high, a friend decided to heal himself by doing an anti-parasite treatment. It did no harm, but your prostate has to do with hormones, and needs to be dealt with on this level.

You can?t put fresh oil in your car when you?re out of gas and then wonder why your engine won?t work!

9. Visualize that you are much healthier and that your prostate and urethra function well. Approach your body with love, as it is part of your temple where the soul resides. ACCEPT .

Melatonin: An excellent study done at Tel Aviv University showed that the melatonin receptors in
the prostate could suppress prostate enlargement. Researchers found that an enlarged prostate is
due to the imbalance of estrogen and testosterone that occurs as we age. They further noted that
the excess estrogen also interferes with the normal metabolism of melatonin (J. Clin. Endoc. Metab.

82 (1997) p. 2535 - 41).

Their advice then, is to take 1-3 mg. of melatonin supplement every night. (Stick with this dosage;
as with most medicines, more is by no means better.) Take it ONLY in the darkness of night, in order not to interfere with the body's natural production of melatonin before sunrise. Go to bed by ten o'clock also, to get a good night?s rest.

Good luck, warmly, Pieternel
2005 Pieternel van Giersbergen. www.pieternel.comPieternel van Giersbergen is an RN with over 25 years of experience in different fields of health care,developed her own common sense health business natural-health-products manufacturers of high quality natural health care products like oil of oregano.