December 31, 2007

5 Important Prostate Cancer Tests That You Should Know About

The mere mention of prostate cancer cause cause a panic in many men. The truth of the matter is though that just like any other cancer, if detected early, your chances of successful treatment of prostate cancer are very high. However, if you allow the cancer to grow too much, it can become very difficult to treat -- in some cases impossible. Because your risk of prostate cancer development increases dramatically after the age of 50, it is crucial that men in this age group get regular checkups and health exams.

Although prostate cancer screening is not considered a routine procedure, you can get tested with a simple request. Regular screening is very important for the following reasons:

1. After the age of 50, your risk of prostate cancer increases substantially. Your risk generally continues to increase as you grow older. After 75 years of age, the risk increases even more. Approximately 50% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed after the age of 75.

2. It is also likely that genetics play a large role in determining your risk of prostate cancer. If you have a family history of the disease, your chances of developing prostate cancer increase. There are also particular racial groups that are known to contract the disease more often than others. Asians usually have the lowest risk, with Europeans and African-Americans having higher risk, respectively. It is also suspected that lifestyle plays a large part in your risk, because if you are Asian but live in the United States for an extended period of time, your risk of prostate cancer starts to approach the same level as other Caucasian Americans.

Prostate Cancer Tests

There are a variety of tests that are used to detect the presence of prostate cancer. Your physician will often conduct more than one test before coming to a definitive answer. A diagnosis is more reliable after a number of different tests have been performed.

The Rectal Examination

Laughed at by many people, this test involves the insertion of a gloved and lubricated finger into a patient's rectum in order to feel the size and shape of the prostate gland. This is effective for the detection of an enlarged prostate, but be aware that an enlarged prostate does not always signify prostate cancer. However, this is one of the easier and quicker ways of detecting some of the symptoms of prostate cancer.

Ultrasound

This involves the insertion of a small probe into a patient's rectum. After an ultrasound scan is conducted on the prostate, it reveals the current shape and size of the gland.

PSA Blood Test

The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is a common test used for detection. The presence of prostate cancer is inferred from higher than normal levels of this specific antigen found in the blood. However, this procedure should be included with other testing methods as well, since other conditions can result in high PSA levels.
Biopsy

If there is a reason to be concerned, a biopsy of the prostate gland may be conducted. This procedure is undertaken by taking a small sample from the prostate for analysis. This occurs by inserting a small needle into the prostate with the use of a small probe.

X-Ray

An x-ray of the bones surrounding the prostate may also be taken if cancer is detected. Prostate cancer very often spreads to the lymph nodes and bones. If any damage has been done to bones nearby, an x-ray will be able to determine if the cancer has spread.

Are you looking for information about
prostate cancer tests? For more important information on prostate cancer, the prostate gland, and prostate cancer prevention and treatments, please visit http://www.onlineprostatehealth.com for more information.

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December 27, 2007

Prostate Health and Fruits and Vegetables

There have been daily discoveries to fight cancer that have added both to the quality and length of the stricken. So much has been learned to naturally promote prostate health including the types of fruits and vegetables that inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The American Cancer Society recommends five services and fruits and vegetables which includes dozens of nutrients with decrease cancer risks. Dietary fiber derived from beans, lentils and peas in high quantities have been associated with decreasing prostate cancer risks while promoting prostate health. What’s sad about this statistic is that most American men seldom achieve the minimum daily quantities necessary for prostate health.

Cooked tomatoes, for instance, are rich in lycopene which has beneficial antioxidant properties and concentrate in the prostate thus promoting prostate health and risk reduction for cancer. Garlic, leeks, onions and chives are part of the allium vegetable group contain organosulfur compounds which interfere with cancer cell replication and inhibits potential tumor growth. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel spouts, cauliflower and kale are full of sulfurphane and isothiocyanates with block and deactive carginogens which are environmental chemicals which promote cancer. Citrus fruit peels also contain prostrate health promoting chemicals that has thwarted tumor growth in lab experiments. The peels contain limonene and geraniol, which in the lab do great things. They still taste horrible, and can be skipped in favor of citrus pulp which tastes a lot better, and contain pectin fiber thought to stop cancer cell spread.

Considered by many to be a nutritional disease, prostate dysfunction is much more prevalent in Western rather than Eastern society. This is due, in great part, to the fact that Western countries diet are filled with animal fats in the form of red meat, eggs and dairy products whereas Eastern society, in contrast, includes more fruits and vegetables which exert a protective effect and promotes prostate health.

It is much more common in developed Western countries that emphasize animal-derived foods, such as red meat, dairy products, and eggs, all foods that tend to accumulate environmental toxins. In contrast, fruit- and vegetable-rich diets exert a protective effect.

Long entrenched views on what is considered nutritionally wholesome foods are being challenged in today’s society as evidence grows suggesting an alternative to maintain prostate health. There is expanding documentation that supports the idea that to promote prostate health may require a serious reduction in milk and dairy products because excessive calcium intake suppresses the production of a certain form of vitamin D which is central in the inhibition of prostate cancer.

In stark contrast, men whose diet is high in tomatoes and tomato based food including ketchup and tomato paste used in making spaghetti sauce supplemented by a high fruit diet reportedly are less likely to develop prostate cancer. It has become quite clear that these items contain antioxidant like lycopene and through the fruit, another prostate-protecting element, fructose promotes prostate health. Unlike calcium, fructose stimulates the production of vitamin D that inhibits tumors.

There are a myriad of nutrients in diets that also promote prostate health that are found in many foods including zinc which is specific to the prostate. Folk wisdom usually has finds its roots in reality and eating pumpkin seeds to promote male reproductive and prostate health is a truth because the seeds are rich in zinc. Adding zinc to the diet can reduce prostate enlargement. Other nutrients that promote prostate health are selenium which can be derived from brazil nuts or through supplements, vitamin D; vitamin E, an antioxidant that inhibits cancer growth; soy-based foods, which contain the cancer-inhibiting agent genistein; and garlic, which possess cancer-fighting, sulfur-containing compounds.
Make your prostate health a part of your daily regimen. Start today!
http://www.mens-advantage.com

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December 25, 2007

Prostate Cancer - Caution Cryptogram

There are no early Prostate Cancer Warning Signs to know if you have the disease. The growth of prostate cancer is usually very slow, and will take years to develop before it then manifests into symptoms.

The prostate is a male sex gland that helps in the critical functions of urination and sperm ejaculation. As a man grows older, the prostate usually enlarges as well. During such time, prostate problems start to emerge. The condition may be BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) or may be a worse one - being prostate cancer.

The population groups of men that are mostly affected by prostate problems are those within 40 years old and above. This ageing population is put in greater chances of being exposed to the factors linked with prostate problems. PSA testing and digital rectal examination would be the way to go to discover the early warning signs of prostate cancer.

Problems of Prostate Cancer:

The Prostate Cancer Signs include difficulty of urinating - as the urethra where the urine passes is blocked by the enlarged prostate. Burning sensation during urination and pain in the lower back are signs of prostate cancer as well. Also, prostate problems symptoms include the frequent urination at nighttime. This condition will disturb one's normal sleeping pattern, and one will not be able to take a good rest. With this, one will wake up not feeling refreshed, and will most likely be sloppy the rest of the day.

Regular Medical Check-up of Patient Having Prostate Cancer:

The Signs of Prostate Cancer should be given due concern and medical check-up should be your next step. Your doctor should be able to guide you on how to go about the process, for the right diagnosis and treatment of your condition. The earliest possible time you get yourself checked-up should be done so. Time is critical, and the earliest proper treatment you can get will be to your advantage. Usually in the stage where symptoms start to show, the developments of cancer cells are much faster than on the initial stages.

It is even best not to wait for Prostate Cancer Warning Signs to show before you seek a doctor's help. You can be proactive and have your prostate checked up early on, even without the symptoms, to be able to determine any condition that may cause problems in the future. Initiate curing is best for this type of problem.

Knowing these risk factors should prompt one to take on a healthy lifestyle - eating right and incorporating exercise into one's schedule. Early medical check up will give you the advantage of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer. The earlier the treatment, the more chances of success and The quicker your recovery.
You can also find more info on
rectal prostate exam and prostate cancer. Prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about prostate cancer treatment.

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December 22, 2007

Is The Prostate Cancer Biopsy An Effective Diagnostic Tool?

Although there are a number of tests that may be carried out if you suspect the possible presence of prostate cancer, the only certain way to confirm the disease is the prostate biopsy. But just how successful is the biopsy when it comes to confirming this disease?

In the US alone annually there are approximately one million prostate biopsies carried out of which around 25 percent indicate the presence of prostate cancer. But, of the remaining 75 percent of prostate biopsies about one-third produce false negative results. This means that approximately 25 percent of those men undergoing prostate biopsies are cleared by this test, in spite of the fact that they are suffering from prostate cancer.

At first sight therefore it might appear that the prostate biopsy is not a very satisfactory test but these results do not in fact mean that there is anything wrong with the prostate biopsy procedure as a method of confirming the presence of prostate cancer. What it does clearly mean however is the need to identify those patients who, in spite of returning a negative result, are nonetheless at high risk from prostate cancer and ought therefore to have a second follow-up biopsy.

The difficulty is that until now there has not been an easy method of identifying those patients at risk. Luckily, a recent study of more than five hundred men being investigated for prostate cancer may now provide a solution.

All of the men investigated in the study had previously received a negative prostate biopsy result but researchers found that when they looked at the patient's prostate specific antigen (PSA) test results and these were adjusted for the size of the prostate gland they were able to identify those patients who were more likely to produce a positive result on a second biopsy.

The researchers also discovered that patients with a Gleeson score of 7 or higher were at greater risk from life-threatening prostate cancer and were once again more likely to produce a positive result from a second biopsy. The Gleeson score runs on a scale between 2 and 10 and a patient's score is derived from a microscopic investigation of prostate biopsy tissue. Low scores point to cancer with a small risk of spread while high scores point to cancer that is more likely to spread.

There are a number of prostate biopsy procedures used today but perhaps the most common procedure is the core needle biopsy. Here a number of very small tissue samples are removed from different areas of the prostrate gland with a biopsy gun that fires a needle into the selected section and removes the sample in a fraction of a second. These samples are then sent off for laboratory analysis to find out whether cancer is present and, if so, to establish just how much of the prostate gland is affected.

A prostate biopsy is a costly procedure and is a test that can be quite upsetting for the patient. It can also be a fairly painful procedure that may involve bleeding and a risk of infection. For these reasons it is important to pinpoint those men for whom a follow-up biopsy would be sensible and to reduce as far as we can the number of needless follow-up biopsies being done every year.
ProstateProblemCenter.com provides information on everything from the
prostate biopsy to the therapeutic use of prostate milking.

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December 16, 2007

Prostate Cancer And Obesity - All Men Out There, Beware

If you are a male and suffering from prostate cancer then watch out for your weight. A bit of negligence can play havoc to your life. Mostly you never care for your increasing weight some really physical problem knocks your door. This is where the problem lies.

But why man? Would you ever like to die and leave all your favorite tasks in between? Would you like to leave your near and dear ones forever just because of your negligence? No, never. Then wake up man before its too late!

You would be shocked to hear that the men suffering from prostate cancer are at a greater risk of death if they are found overweight or obese.

Recent researches say that men whose body mass index (BMI) is higher than 25% at the time when prostate cancer is diagnosed, are at twice the risk of dying from their disease as compared to the thinner men.

So, it becomes really necessary for you to get your BMI checked regularly to avoid fatal outcomes.

According to the latest research on 788 patients suffering from prostate cancer for 8 years, men with BMIs between 25 and 30% were 1.5 times at much greater risk of facing a very early death from their disease. And those with BMI more than 30 were found to be 1.6 times likely to die from prostate cancer than those with a normal BMI.

This research claims to be the largest study till date regarding the relationship between obesity and the rate of mortality found in men suffering from prostate cancer.

Now would you like to hear something more shocking? Then here it is!
One third of American men are either overweight or obese. And this ratio is going to increase very soon if still after reading this information you do not make any efforts.

Getting your prostate cancer diagnosed is not all that you need to do, as your life is still at a greater risk until and unless you get your weight checked. Your body mass index (BMI) will decide your life-span. Before you get entrapped in the clutches of your obesity, go and fight with it. Winners never sit and wait for the things to come to them, rather they go and get them.

So, now its the right time to wake up and act before time throws its own dice.
Time never remains the same, maybe the opportunity you are getting today to get rid of your problems may not be there for you tomorrow.

Navneet Brar provides you with rich information on prostate cancer. This piece of information is what every man on earth should be aware of. And for any kind of information on anything and everything you desire for, kindly visit his website www.top54u.com.

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December 15, 2007

16 Common Symptoms and Signs of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is very difficult to detect in its early stages, which is why the disease is so common. About 50% of prostate cancer patients are 75 years old and older. As a result, the symptoms of the disease are often overlooked and passed off as side effects of old age. Therefore it is important to be aware of the signs of prostate cancer.

Sadly, the seriousness of prostate cancer is often overlooked or disregarded by many men, probably due to the social stigma of being poked and prodded by a doctor during a prostate exam. Be aware though that the longer you allow the disease to progress, the more difficult it is to successfully treat. The highest chances of survival result from early detection. Some physicians recommend an annual blood test to look for the presence of prostate cancer, although other believe this may not be necessary.

Many of the more common symptoms and signs of prostate cancer are listed below. You should understand that many of these signs can result from other problems as well, so prostate cancer may not always be the culprit. But if you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it is best to consult a medical professional in order to obtain a proper diagnosis of your problem. Some common signs of prostate cancer are:

• Difficulty urinating
• An increased frequency of the urge to urinate, especially at night
• The inability to feel that you have fully emptied your bladder
• Taking a long time to finish urination, with the last part of the urine stream coming out as a dribble
• Pain during urination
• A much weaker urine stream than you are used to
• Pain during ejaculation
• Blood found in the urine
• Pain felt in the genital area
• Trouble achieving or maintaining an erection
• Lower back pain
• Pain in the pelvic and hip area
Because prostate cancer can develop in the early stages without any obvious signs, many men don't realize they have a problem until developing more dangerous symptoms such as:
• Unwanted weight loss
• Extreme fatigue
• Pain isolated in the bones of the thighs, hips, neck and back
• Anemia

It should also be noted that the risk of prostate cancer increases if you have a family history of the disease. If you have a close male relative that was diagnosed with prostate cancer, such as a father or brother, then your risk is three times higher. If the close male relative was diagnosed before 60 years old, then your risk goes up four times. Additionally, even if your male relative is not as closely related as a brother or father, annual examinations are very important after the age of 50.

The age of your male relatives when they developed the disease is important. Younger sufferers, under the age of 60, are much more likely to have a mutated gene that is responsible for the cancer. As a result, your risk also increases since you are likely to possess the same faulty gene. Unfortunately at this time, there is no way of accurately testing for this, so the best thing you can do is have your prostate gland regularly checked by your physician. The earlier the problem is detected, the higher your chances of successful treatment.

Are you looking for information about signs of prostate cancer? For more important information about prostate cancer symptoms, the prostate gland, and prostate cancer prevention and treatments, please visit
http://www.onlineprostatehealth.com/ for more information.

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Prostate Cancer Treatment Options With High Grade PIN

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options Improve Survival Rates

As treatment options improve, the survival rates for prostate cancer also improve. This is true for all stages except distant stage (metastasized) prostate cancer (National Cancer Institute Prostate Cancer Trends).

When prostate cancer is detected at the earliest stages, patients have the greatest chance for high survival rates.

One of the best tests for early detection is a biopsy for PIN or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. PIN is generally considered the first detectable form of precancerous cells in the prostate, and can lead to adenocarcinoma. This test is independent from a PSA screening of the blood.

The PIN biopsy removes cells from different areas of the prostate and examines them for areas of increased cells or cellular proliferation that resemble cancer, and "architectural" patterns like tufting, neuroendocrine and mucinous patterns. HGPIN spreads slowly through the prostatic ducts similar to the development of prostatic cancer.

If the biopsy results are high grade PIN or HGPIN, it is considered one of the most reliable predictors of prostate cancer at this time.

What Are The Prostate Cancer Treatment Options With High Grade PIN?

Most researchers recommend follow-up biopsies at three to six month intervals for several years, then every year for life. Additional treatment is based on gathering information about the patient's individual risk. Many therapies are being tested, including preventive androgen therapy. Most invasive therapies like surgery and radiation are not considered unless there are rapid changes in the PIN biopsies.

Early detection of prostate cancer has the added advantage of opening the door for chemoprevention as one prostate cancer treatment option. Chemoprevention involves changes in the patient's lifestyle to avoid or postpone the progress of cancer.
One study using green tea extract found 90% prevention of prostate cancer in patients with HGPIN after one year of treatment. Drug studies have found 20-25% prevention of prostate cancer during five-year studies.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after skin cancer. It is diagnosed in approximately 220,000 new patients and kills almost 30,000 each year in the United States alone. African-American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world, running 60% higher than other American men (American Cancer Society, SEER National Cancer Institute).

Prostate cancer has been detected in men as young as 20 years old and by age 80 at least 80% of men have this cancer. Because it can take decades to proliferate, considering chemoprevention as part of a patient's prostate cancer treatment options offers more pro-active and positive pathways to health.

Men should consult with their primary health care provider for their best prostate cancer treatment options and early detection procedures.

You can find more information on green tea and drug studies on prostate cancer prevention at
http://www.green-tea-health-news.com/prostate-cancer-prevention.html
Sharon Jones has over 40 years training and experience in science, mainstream health care, and alternative health care. Her website is
http://www.green-tea-health-news.com/

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December 8, 2007

Supplements For Prostate Health - Subsidiary Means

The quality of life one is enjoying right now can be spoiled when one is not feeling well or unhealthy. People in their younger years seemed to take their health for granted. As they grow older the toll of any of the diseases including those that are prostate-related are beginning to claim their price. Health is one of the important and most common topics that require a detailed discussion.

Prostate cancer on its early stages shows little signs and symptoms, to none at all. One must then be very conscious of any hint you could get from the little warning signs of prostate cancer afforded you, and get the necessary medical diagnosis and treatment the soonest time you can.

Men's prowess declines with age - as probably the reason why nature deems it to be so that one is more prone to diseases and becomes less immune to sickness as one ages. Prostate problems symptoms are mainly evident to those at 40 years and above. It is at these points of a man's life that such will be experienced. Keeping in these factors in mind, there are many products available in the market which supplements for Prostate Cancer.

Alternatives of Prostate Health:

Lycopene-rich - one of the most common and available Supplement for Prostate Cancer. It is mostly found in tomato-based products. As these are rich in Lycopene-rich. So you must have lots and lots of tomato. It will generally lower prostate Cancer. Other fruits that are rich in lycopene are pink grapefruit, watermelon, and guava. Dealing with Prostate Problems Symptoms requires that one does not give up hope. One must take the necessary medical help, and must live on healthily. Learn to take the helping hands of those who love you, and let them help you in gathering enough strength to continue on with the fight of this medical condition of yours. Help yourself and don't let self-pity get the better of you. Be strong and hope for a better tomorrow. Pray and believe on a higher power that could heal and change your life.

Eating is an Important Supplements for Prostate Health:

Eat healthy. That means a moderate amount of everything, especially in salt and sugar. Keep a well balanced diet. Overdosing in salt does harm in the urinary system, and nothing complicates a weak prostate than problems in the kidney.
Zinc and Selenium: are the two important minerals which supplements for Prostate Health. Lack of these minerals lead to fade the immune system of the body. Pumpkin seeds are the source of zinc and selenium. Natural healing will not be the solution, and in fact, time is the enemy for prostate cancer. The more you wait, the worse it gets. The causes of prostate cancer has not bee fully traced by medical experts, however risk factors had been identified that might make men predisposed to the disease. One of the identified risk factors of prostate cancer is age.

Another Supplement for Prostate Health is to take the right step of consulting your doctor and getting the proper medical treatment. While prostate cancer is in its early stages, the better it is for you - and treatments are better able to have effective results if your condition is not that worst.
You can also find more info on
detect prostate cancer and cancer new treatment. Prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about prostate cancer treatment.

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Preventing Prostate Cancer - What Every Man Should Know

Is there a way to prevent prostate cancer? This question is on the mind's of a lot of men, and for good reason. Prostate cancer affects nearly a quarter of a million men each year, so the topic of preventing prostate cancer deserves attention.

First the bad news...

Unfortunately, there is no medical evidence to date that shows how you can prevent prostate cancer entirely. In this regard, prostate cancer is like most other cancers affecting mankind. There's currently no way to prevent it entirely.

Now the good news...

While preventing prostate cancer may be out of reach, you can certainly do things to lower your risk. Namely, you can limit your intake of animal fats and red meat, get plenty of exercise, and eat vegetables on a regular basis (particularly those known to have antioxidant properties.

Dietary Factors

In medical circles, it is widely believed that a diet low in fat and rich with fruits, vegetables and grains may lower the risk of prostate cancer. Specifically, foods that are high in fat from animal sources should be limited. You've probably heard for many years that you should eat five or more fruit and vegetable servings per day. That rule of thumb still holds true today. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy grains can help lower your risk of prostate cancer.

While this type of diet may not help in preventing prostate cancer entirely, it can still lower your risks and make you healthier overall.

Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention

Antioxidants have become increasingly popular over the years, in tandem with new research that shows how beneficial they can be. Antioxidants occur naturally in certain foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

How do antioxidants help with preventing prostate cancer and other forms of cancer? Well, again, there is not evidence to support the possibility of preventing prostate cancer entirely. But antioxidants can play a role in reducing your risk for this and other forms of cancer. Antioxidants make the DNA within our cells more resistant to damage, which in turn can reduce the risk of certain cancers such as prostate cancer.

Past and current medical research suggests that lycopenes (a type of antioxidant) can lower the risk of prostate cancer. Lycopenes occur naturally in a number of fruits and vegetables [here's that fruit and vegetable plug again] such as spinach, oranges, tomatoes, artichoke hearts and various types of beans.

Preventing Prostate Cancer With Drugs

In the future, there may very well be a drug capable of preventing prostate cancer. But here in the present, that is unfortunately not yet the case. With that being said, there are numerous studies currently underway that hope to identify such a "miracle" drug.

Proscar is one of those drugs currently being studied. But does it help in preventing prostate cancer entirely? As is usually the case, Proscar research is still relatively young, so definitive answers on its capabilities are forthcoming.
Recent studies have shown that men taking this drug were approximately 25% less likely to get prostate cancer (as compared to men taking a placebo instead).

Regardless of early signs of promise, there is no current evidence that Proscar can prevent prostate cancer. Screening and Detection
Because the full-scale prevention of prostate cancer is still out of reach, proper screening is still the first line of defense. When cancer is detected early, the chances of successfully treating the disease are much greater.

* You may republish this article on your website if you keep the author's note below with the active hyperlinks left intact. Copyright 2007, Brandon Cornett.
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Brandon Cornett is the publisher of Prostate Surgery Center, an unbiased guide to prostate cancer and prostate surgery. Learn more about preventing prostate cancer and similar topics by visiting
http://www.prostatesurgerycenter.com/

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