Signs of Prostate Problems

In many cases it has been reported that people suffering from Prostate cancer have suffered severely simply because they were not able to identify prostate problem signs. Too much delay in diagnosing and detecting the disease can cause serious damages and might end up with reduced life expectancy. Therefore it is important that we are able to read the prostate problem signs and take necessary actions as soon as possible. The key lies in recognizing them quickly and ensure that you are able to stop the growth of this spreading disease.

According to statistics, less than 40 percent of men in the group of 18 to 65 suffering from prostate cancer were aware of the prostate problem signs. Here are some questions you need to answer yourself when regularly when you are ill:

a) Am I frequently visiting the washroom for urination?
b) Do I need to urinate urgently?
c) Am I having some pain or burning sensation during urination?
d) Is the urination slow, do I have to put more pressure while urinating?
e) Do I feel urgency of urinating at night while sleeping?
f) Do I feel immense pain when I get erection?
g) Am I able to ejaculate without much pain?

Most of the times you should be getting "No" for all the above questions. However, if you happen to get positive reply for anything above, do not ignore it. It might be a potential indicator of something going wrong in your body. Consult the doctor immediately and get yourself diagnosed. Prompt action can help in preventing the prostate problems and stop it from spreading. There are many treatment options available, so there is no need to worry. Some medical pills can be effective enough to remove this once and for all. Eventually you will feel the prostrate problem signs disappearing and your life will come back to track. So, self help is the best help!

Having accurate, updated information on prostate problems is also very important. If you feel that you need more information , E Prostate Problems will take you directly to a Web site that will give you tons of information on Prostate Problems symptoms & treatments, alternative therapy, specific conditions, Prostate Cancer and clinical trials.

Treatment For Prostate Cancer With Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer amongst men in the USA. The most common being lung cancer. Over twenty seven thousand men are estimated to die from cancer of the prostate annually.

The good news is that research has shown that a diet which has a high Omega 3 fatty acid content can reduce the potential for getting prostate cancer and reduce the effects of cancer of the prostate. The research focused on the amount of oily or fatty fish in the diet of the men studied. The conclusion of the studies was that men who ate more fatty fish were less likely to be affected by prostate cancer. It was also concluded that where cancer of the prostate was diagnosed the growth rate of the prostate tumor could be reduced by increasing the amount of Omega 3 fats in the diet.

Diet is all important when it comes to preventing or treating prostate cancer. Increasing the amount of Omega 3 fats in the diet can reduce the risk of death by cancer of the prostate and allow a man diagnosed with prostate cancer to live with the tumor to a normal life span.
Omega 3 fatty acids are known as essential fatty acids because they are required for healthy body functioning. However they must be provided in the diet because the human body cannot manufacture them itself. Cold water oily fish are the most common source of Omega 3 fats. These include fish such as sardines, tuna and salmon which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

It is important to balance the ratio of Omega 3 fatty acids against Omega 6 fatty acids. This ratio should be as near to one to one as possible. The diet of most western men is in excess of twenty to one as a result of the large amount of meat and low amount of fish eaten. This is one of the important factors affecting the statistics for prostate cancer and cancer of the prostate deaths in western and eastern men. Western men being more likely to be affected by prostate cancer and die of this disease.

Genetics also plays an important role in the tendency to develop cancer of the prostate. Men with a variant of the COX-2 gene are known to have a higher likelihood of developing cancer of the prostate than other men. This variant of the COX-2 gene is passed from generation to generation among men. This susceptibility to cancer of the prostate caused by genetics can be positively affected by diet. An improved diet can have a positive outcome for these men.

By increasing the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet the genetic cancer risk can be reduced. Men with the COX-2 variant can change their prostate outlook by changing their diet. They have a choice of eating more fatty fish or adding an Omega 3 fish oil supplement to their diet.
Men prone to prostate cancer would be those who benefit most by changing or improving their diet by increasing their consumption of Omega 3 fatty acids. However all men should consider the importance of Omega 3 fats in their diet.

Men over the age of sixty are also more likely to develop cancer of the prostate and should consider dietary changes. Changing their diet to increase the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids can prevent the development of prostate tumors and has been shown to slow the development of existing prostate tumors. Men diagnosed with prostate tumors have been able to control the further growth of the tumor and live out a normal life span.
Fatty fish or Omega 3 fish oil supplements can be used to increase the Omega 3 fats in the diet and thus have a positive benefit for the prostate.
Omega 3 fish oil supplements are rich in the required Omega 3 fatty acids and are an excellent alternative to fish. Produced from raw fish oil using a process called molecular distillation Omega 3 fish oil capsules are not only rich in the essential Omega 3 fatty acids but also free of the contaminants such as mercury and heavy metals that are often present in fish.

Omega 3 fish oil capsules are concentrated, pure and an easy to take alternative for fish.
Take action today to prevent or reduce your risk from prostate cancer by increasing your daily intake of Omega 3 fats. Use an Omega 3 fish oil supplement to boost your bodies ability to fight this deadly cancer and live a longer happier life.

Visit Omega3Life.info for detailed information about a pure and concentrated Omega 3 supplement that can give you improved health and well being. This website http://www.omega3life.info/ contains detailed information about the benefits and health boosting properties of Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules. Your health is your most important asset.

Prostate Cancer Surgery - Robotic Keyhole Surgery - Higher Risks - New Study! - Nurse's Report!

The most popular prostate cancer surgery is robotic keyhole surgery, also called a laparoscopic surgery. This surgery has been performed on thousands of men. It has become popular because it is minimally invasive - not requiring large incisions and uses the da Vinci robotics system. Doctors use robotic arms and special instruments while performing the surgery. In fact, keyhole surgery uses a small incision and that's why it's called a keyhole surgery. There are other types of keyhole surgeries on other parts of the body as well.
It has become the prostate cancer surgery of choice for many because of the smaller incision meaning a day less in the hospital and a shorter recovery time.

Now a new study involving 9000 men with prostate cancer show there are risks that hadn't been addressed before. Some with traditional prostate surgery and some with robotic keyhole surgery.

The men who had the robotic keyhole surgery rather than the traditional surgery were more likely to report complications in the first 30 days after their surgery. In addition, later after about 18 months or so they reported more urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. This comes as a surprise to many. However, anyone considering this surgery must get all the facts.

If you are considering the surgery, make sure to discuss all the risks and complications with your prostate cancer doctor and surgeon before you have this surgery. Make sure to ask your doctor about this study also.
One has to be careful that this surgery isn't hyped up from advertisements and from others who aren't aware of all the risks. Make sure to also to ask your doctor or surgeon; whoever is performing your surgery, how many of these surgeries they have done. Ask how many of their patients had increased incontinence and/or impotence or erectile dysfunction following the surgery in the first 30 days and even 18 months later. Maybe some patients or the doctor didn't recognize the new health problems were directly related to the keyhole surgery.

Alternatives to the risks of robotic keyhole surgery to remove a cancerous prostate are radiation treatment or therapy or watchful waiting. Radiation therapy comes with its own problems. Many choose watchful waiting and live long lives free of problems caused by surgery. Survival rates are good. Get two or three opinions if you've been diagnosed. You may get different opinions from different doctors.

Generally, prostate cancer is slow growing but you need to check with your doctor and find out exactly what type you have and if it's slow or fast-growing. Find out everything you can about prostate cancer and traditional and alternative treatment options before making any decisions.

For inside tips and breaking news on prostate surgery, prostate cancer treatments and prostate cancer symptoms go to a nurse's website http://www.BestProstateHealthTips.com for inside info on enlarged prostate, prostate problems, prostate tests and natural prostate cancer treatments

Lycopene Supplements - Does Lycopene Help the Prostate?

Prostate issues are usually very popular among men that are usually between the ages of 50 to 80 years old. People all over the country today are starting to use multivitamins in hopes of getting added protection against ailments such as heart disease and even certain types of cancer. Does lycopene help the prostate is a common question that many men are looking into. Take a look and see how effective multivitamins can help your overall health.

Most of us tend to think that if we take more of a supplement we will actually be helping ourselves. When studies were conducted on men that were taking lycopene in order to protect from prostate cancers, the studies actually showed that men were taking more than what they needed, which caused some issues.
When you read the direction or you find the dosage of a specific multivitamin or a supplement containing lycopene, you need to ensure that you pay attention to the labels. While lycopene does not completely help to fight against prostate cancer, there are still results that say it does at least aid in partial protection.
The bottom line here is simple: lycopene and other ingredients within these supplements will help to keep up your health and keep things moving along. However, it is not wise to simply rely on them for help. Eat a balanced diet each day and make sure that you live a healthy lifestyle.

When you take a multivitamin or a supplement you are allowing these natural ingredients to make up for what you may be lacking within your system. Do some further research and make sure that you do look online at the various supplements containing lycopene. There are many other benefits that you may want to know about up front!

A multivitamin that combines lycopene with other nutrients and herbal extracts will have a much more powerful effect on protecting the prostate and preventing future problems, so if you really want to improve your health and stay healthy, look for a natural, proven multivitamin.

If you're interested in learning the secrets of finding the best natural multivitamin with lycopene and dramatically improving your prostate health, visit my website, where I share what products I personally use for fast, safe and effective results.

Visit my website at: http://www.natural-supplements-advice.com/

Genetic Testing Shows Promise for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is still one of the leading cancers among men, and it is projected that roughly one in every six American men will be diagnosed with this type of cancer within their lifetime.

Add to that the fact that these statistics may not account for those that have not been diagnosed, and you have a full fledged "epidemic", if you look at it from a percentage of population standpoint. In fact, many people reading this probably know someone that has been diagnosed with this cancer, or may have even had a brush with it themselves.


Aside from the fact that it is a leading cancer form in men, it also is considered in males to be a second leading cause of death. It's no wonder that prostate cancer is at the forefront of men's health and prevention in medical research when it comes to prevention, detection and treatment.


Researchers have been hard at work to come up with alternative testing to the still most popular form of testing, the PSA test. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen, which is an enzyme that is released by this male-specific gland, which tends to be released in much higher amounts when the gland is inflamed or enlarged, or is fighting cancer.


It is a test combined with a digital rectal exam, that many men find uncomfortable for obvious reasons, and may want to naturally avoid after they reach the age of fifty years old. This is the age when doctors recommend their male patients start getting this test, since after fifty years old the risk of getting this cancer increases significantly.


The PSA test itself is actually a simple blood test, and has been criticized for sometimes being unreliable and creating false positives and false negatives, hence the search for better screening methods. The screening method that is being worked on currently is one that may be more spot-on than the current mode of detection via rectal exam combined with the PSA test.


It is the new buzzword in the scientific community for a variety of diseases and cancer in the world of detection : genetic testing. Genetic testing has proven to be a very promising method of finding cancer markers in individuals because it can be more detailed in it's individual assessment, and finding genes responsible for cancers and other diseases is pretty much a fool proof method of detecting likelihood of cancer or actual cancer itself.


While genetic testing can definitely help either to rule out prostate cancer or to give the doctor and patient a pretty good idea if further prevention or treatment should take place, it cannot as of yet be used in and of itself as a test, but instead is a stepping stone to determining the validity of PSA screenings and digital rectal exams.


It's basically giving a more complete answer as to whether tests that are done are actually an accurate predictor of whether a patient has it, and whether treatment should be commenced. Many doctors and patients feel that with a more complete and definitive answer in testing, they feel more comfortable with diagnosis and prevention testing, and more confident that they are getting the correct results. This renewed confidence could lead more men to take part in prevention and detection screening.


Currently the largest studies in genetic testing for prostate cancer are being carried out in Sweden, and are looking promising, but as of yet they are not conclusive and the method needs more defining and sharpening.


One thing is for sure, that genetic testing is proving to be an up and coming tool in the definitive and more accurate detection of many different kinds of cancers, including breast cancer in women. With continued research and refining, genetic testing may prove to be of great benefit for men in the prevention of prostate cancer advancement.

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Danna Schneider has contributed to and edits the popular male sexual health website Prosolution Pill Reviews dedicated to natural male enhancement. She also manages the online herbal male enhancement news magazine and alternative health portal called Male Enhancement and Men's Health Magazine.

Casodex- Best drug for prostate cancer

Casodex Usage: * Casodex is strictly recommended for men having the problem of advanced prostate cancer and particularly at D2 stage, when there is some proof of metastases (spreading stage of cancer) to various areas of the body. Casodex Dosage: * Casodex is a tablet, taken orally. It is recommended to take a dose in a day and is generally initiated at the equal time when LHRH therapy gets started. * It must be taken at the same time every day, without or with food. * You must urinate or empty your urinary bladder before taking the drug. * In few cases, e.g. in the case of spinal cord metastasis, Casodex is advised to start approximately 6-7 days before you start receiving the second hormonal therapy known as LHRH agonist. This is suggested to block the surge of testosterone that usually occurs after LHRH agonist is given to the patient. * Dosage of Casodex that you are advised to take- depends on various factors. Your physician will determine and recommend your dosage for medicine along with its schedule of consumption. Casodex Side Effects: Significant things that are required to remember about Casodex side effects are as follows: * Numbers of people not experience all of the listed side effects of Casodex. * Casodex side effects are easily predictable in terms of their duration and onset. * Casodex side effects are always notice to be reversible and cease forever once the treatment gets complete. * There are numerous options which help in minimizing or preventing side effects of Casodex. * There is no link between the severity or presence of Casodex side effects and the effectual phase of Casodex. Some of the Casodex side effects (occurring in more than 30% people) are as follows: - Chest pain - Hot flashes - Loss of libido - Impotence Side effects mentioned above are noticeable when Casodex is taken along with LHRH agonist. Also, there are some more side effects which are observed in approx 10-15 % people. Listed effects are such as: - Nausea - Constipation - Diarrhea - Effect on fertility - Blood pressure If you are facing some unusual symptoms then it is strictly advised to consult your doctor immediately.
Casodex Precautions: * Before start taking Casodex treatment, tell your doctor about the kind of medications that you are taking (including vitamins, herbal medicines or even prescriptions) * Serum glucose should be carefully monitored in case of diabetic patients. * Do not start or discontinue Casodex without prescription of your doctor. * Anti-androgens are generally recommended given to men only. So, should be avoided in the case of women, especially for a pregnant women, it can be proved as hazardous. Casodex Availability: Casodex is easily available in the market and you can also buy Casodex from any medical store after showing prescription by your doctor. If you are having prescription then you can order Casodex from anywhere. Online stores also provide it after checking prescription slip by your doctor and if you order Casodex online then you might get discount by the seller.

About the Author

Author is associated with genericmedicine.com which is a global Generic Casodex & Buy Casodex provider. You can buy Cialis from local pharmacies or you can place an order to buy Cialis online & Buy Online Prescription Drugs you can visit genericmedicine.com

Propecia and Proscar against prostatic hyperplasia and hair loss - Important facts

Copyright © 2009 Vlad Kott

Propecia and Proscar are most effective medicines against prostatic hyperplasia and hair loss.

Propecia and Proscar are similar medicines - generic name is Finasteride.

Finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hair loss.



Finasteride is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and to reduce hair loss due to male baldness.


*** Important facts about Propecia


Propecia is NOT for use by women. If taken during pregnancy, it can cause abnormal development of a male baby's genital organs.


Propecia is a remedy for baldness in men with mild to moderate hair loss on the top of the head and the front of the mid-scalp area. It increases hair growth, improves hair regrowth, and slows down hair loss. It works only on scalp hair and does not affect hair on other parts of the body.


You may begin to see improvement as early as 3 months after you begin taking Propecia, but for many men it takes longer. The improvement lasts only as long as you take the drug; if you stop, new hair growth will cease and hair loss will resume.


Propecia is a low-dose form of Proscar, a drug prescribed for prostate enlargement.


How to take Propecia?


For maximum benefit, take Propecia regularly once a day. It can be taken with or without food.


If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.


* Storage instructions


Store at room temperature in a closed container away from moisture.


* Propecia side effects


Propecia's side effects are primarily sexual, and relatively uncommon--they strike one or two men in a hundred. If any side effects develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Propecia.


* Side effects may include:


Breast tenderness and enlargement, decreased amount of semen per ejaculation, decreased sex drive, impotence, itching, rash, swelling, testicular pain.


Due to the drug's effect on male babies, women should avoid Propecia if there is any chance that they may be pregnant.


Do not use Propecia if it gives you an allergic reaction, or if you've ever had an allergic reaction to its chemical twin, Proscar.


If there's even a possibility that they're pregnant, women should avoid handling a crushed or broken Propecia tablet for fear of absorbing some of the active ingredient through the skin. Whole tablets are safe to handle thanks to a protective outer coating.


Avoid even touching the active ingredient in Propecia if there's a chance that you're pregnant. Use Propecia with caution if you have liver problems.


Propecia lowers readings of the PSA screening test for prostate cancer. If you're scheduled to have your PSA level checked, make sure the doctor knows you're taking Propecia.


*** Important facts about Proscar


Proscar is prescribed to help shrink an enlarged prostate. Some doctors are also prescribing Proscar for baldness and as a preventive measure against prostate cancer.


The prostate, a chestnut-shaped gland present in males, produces a liquid that forms part of the semen. This gland completely encloses the upper part of the urethra, the tube through which urine flows out of the bladder. Many men over age 50 suffer from a benign (noncancerous) enlargement of the prostate.


The enlarged gland squeezes the urethra, obstructing the normal flow of urine. Resulting problems may include difficulty in starting urination, weak flow of urine, and the need to urinate urgently or frequently. Sometimes surgical removal of the prostate is necessary.


By shrinking the enlarged prostate, Proscar may alleviate the various associated urinary problems, making surgery unnecessary.


Different men have different responses to Proscar:

You may experience early relief from your urinary problems. You may need to take the drug for 6 months or even a year before noticing any improvement. Or you may find that, even after a year of treatment, Proscar simply has not helped you.


You may take Proscar either with a meal or between meals.


If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.


* Storage instructions...


Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Protect from light.


* Proscar side effects


Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Proscar.


* Side effects may include:


Decreased amount of semen per ejaculation, decreased sex drive, impotence.


Benign enlargement of the prostate is not the only condition that can cause male urinary inefficiency and discomfort. Other possibilities include infection, obstruction, cancer of the prostate, and bladder disorders. Before prescribing Proscar, your doctor will want to do various tests to determine the cause of your urinary problems.


Even if Proscar does relieve your urinary symptoms, periodic checkups are necessary to test for possible development of cancer of the prostate. Proscar is not an effective treatment for prostate cancer.


* Possible food and drug interactions when taking Propecia and Proscar - no significant drug interactions have been reported.


* Recommended dosage for Propecia and Proscar - Adult men.


* Overdosage


Although no specific information is available on Propecia and Proscar overdose, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences.

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Find out all about Propecia and Proscar here => Propecia and here Proscar

Enlarged Prostate - Find the Best Treatment For You

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, also known as enlarged prostate, is a condition affecting an estimated fifty percent of men over the age of sixty and ninety percent of men over the age of 85. It is a non-cancerous condition in which the prostate cells grow and enlarge the gland, incidently constricting the urethra. As a result, the need to urinate becomes more frequent and can even become more difficult. Fortunately, there are numerous avenues of management and treatment for this condition.


First, you should have at least an idea of what the symptoms for an enlarged prostate are before you see a urologist. There are many websites that provide a free questionnaire to help you determine whether or not you might need to take the next step and find a urologist. Here are a few, possible examples: Are you more frequently urinating? Do you have a week urine flow? When you are finished do you still feel the need to urinate? Do you limit your daily activities to stay near a restroom? Are you losing sleep for frequent urinating at night?


If you decide you need to visit with a urologist, meet with more than one. Get a second, or even a third opinion. Know for sure if it is really necessary to invest your money in a treatment for an enlarged prostate. You will also have a better idea of who you would like most to conduct the treatment. It makes it a more comfortable process if you are more comfortable with the doctor and staff.


There are three possible avenues of treatment and management for an enlarged prostate. Medication is the first line of action. While this method is non-invasive and completely devoid of hospital stay and recovery, it can still prove to be costly in the long run. It is most likely the medication will be needed permanently because if you stop taking it, it stops working. A second, and sort of middle ground, form of treatment is a non-surgical, catheter based treatment. This is an alternative to surgery. It is less invasive, allows for quicker recovery, and can be completed in as short as a half hour as an office-based treatment. However, although the success rate is very high, it is not necessarily a permanent cure. Symptoms may reappear after five years, or not at all. The other option in treating an enlarged prostate is surgery. While this is a more invasive procedure and the recovery time does take longer, the success rate is also high and is very likely to be a permanent correction.


As with any medical procedure, individual results will vary. Discuss your options thoroughly with your urologist then do some of your own research. The more you know the advantages and disadvantages to your options, the better choice you will make for yourself. An enlarged prostate does not need to control your life. Take charge and find the treatment that's best for you.

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Sara Johnston works with Urologix, Inc., a leader in less invasive technology for enlarged prostate treatment. Urologix has developed and offers the Targis System for Cooled ThermoTherapy, a non-surgical, catheter-based treatment that uses proprietary microwave technology. For more information please visit http://www.urologix.com/ , or call 1-888-427-4457.

How Can We Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer With Diet and Exercise?

Men, for some reason take care of their bodies on the outside than on the inside. They go to the gym, lift weights and do other exercises that will give them a great physique and physical appetence. But why do a lot of them neglect their inner bodies? This may be one of the reasons that men come down with diseases that are often easily preventable with a little knowledge. As men, we need to do a little more research and have an understanding of what we can do to protect our inner bodies.


Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. At firdt the symptoms of the disease are asymptomatic; this is why it is commonly referred to as the silent killer. Prostate cancer has very few early symptoms and those such as trouble urinating or painful ejaculation are also symptoms of much less serious disease such as enlarged prostate.


The function of the prostate is to close the urethra after ejection. It is also essential for ejaculation. There will be more than 200,000 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed this year that will result in over 30,000 deaths. Maintaining good prostate health requires us to have the necessary information available to us. We would like to review a few things that men can do to assure good prostate health.


1. GET SOME EXERCISE


We are all aware that exercise is good for getting our hearts pumping, lowering cholesterol and protecting us from heart attacks and strokes. But, did you know that exercise can also protect us from some forms of cancer, especially prostate cancer? Research has shown that men who maintain a daily exercise schedule have a 75% less chance of developing cancer and heart disease than men who do not participate in a regular program.


By participating in exercise you get the blood flowing to your vital organs. This has a beneficial effect because it enhances the exchange of nutrients and helps with the elimination of waste products from our cells and tissues. It can also keep our weight under control further reducing the risks of some types of cancers. Stronger muscles also generate better blood flow and circulation to our cells and tissues.


2. EAT A HEALTHY DIET

When we eat a diet high in vegetables and low in saturated fats we are actually reducing the risks of some forms of cancer. Scientists don't know why but men that eat a diet high in red meat are more likely to get prostate cancer. Some feel that there may be fats in red meat that are harmful to the prostate and others feel that chemicals produced during grilling may be responsible. It may also be that increasing the amount of red meat one consumes reduces the amount of fruits and vegetables we eat.

It is recommended that we eat 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Research has shown that men who follow this type of diet have much lower rates of cancer than men who do not. While consuming this many servings a day may be difficult for many, supplementation is also an option. Free radicals in the body have been shown to convert normal healthy cells into cancerous ones. For these reason tomatoes based products are particularly useful. They contain a high amount of Lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant that can reduce the number of free radicals in our bodies.


3. SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR

Screening is an important part of prevention. This involves looking for signs of the disease before symptom arise. There are a few ways this can be done now and your doctor will be able to suggest the one that best fits your situation. This is the time when treatment will be most effective.


He or she will be able to access any risk factors such as family history or race and put you on a screening schedule suited for your particular situation.


In conclusion, while prostate cancer can be a killer there are things that we can easily do to reduce the risk of us contracting it. The added benefit of some of the things suggested above is that they are also positives to your overall health in general. Just by reducing the risk of chronic heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancers with some simple lifestyle changes we can all live longer and healthier lives.

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John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He is committed to a healthier lifestyle through natural means. To learn more about good prostate health we have included additional links at the bottom of the page to help educate you on the subject. Or you can subscribe to our Vitamin and Supplement Blog.

Prostate Cancer Screening Needs a Massage!

In 2009, about 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in males after skin cancer and is the second death-causing cancer after lung cancer. It accounts for about 10% of cancer-related mortalities in men. On the other hand, the prognosis for prostate cancer is quite good. This is because prostate cancer is usually a slow-growing disease and many of those diagnosed do not develop symptoms.

According to ACS about 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 man in 35 will die of it. and for all men with prostate cancer, the relative 5-year survival rate is nearly 100% and the relative 10-year survival rate is 93%. The 15-year relative survival rate is 79%.

Currently worldwide prostate cancer screening is still dependant on the PSA blood test and the Digital rectal exam.

1) The PSA blood test remains the state-of-the-art screening method for prostate cancer. PSA stands for Prostate-Specific Antigen. It is a substance naturally occurring in the male semen but can also occur in small amounts in the blood. A normal PSA blood level is about 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Elevated levels of PSA in the blood can indicate an increase in the number of cancerous cells. However, it may not, hence the reason the PSA test remains controversial.

(2) The Digital rectal exam (DRE) is performed by inserting a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum of the patient to feel for bumps and other abnormalities that might be indicative of cancer. This is possible because the prostate gland is just right in front of the rectum. However, some patients may consider a rectal exam uncomfortable and invasive. It is also less sensitive than PSA.

Unfortunately making an initial accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer is not easy due to the nature of the disease and the limitations of current screening methods.


(1) The ACS states that neither the PSA test nor the DRE is 100% accurate. Abnormal results of these tests don't always mean that cancer is present, and normal results don't always mean that there is no cancer. According to the ACS "uncertain or false test results could cause confusion and anxiety. Some men might have a prostate biopsy (which carries its own small risks, along with discomfort) when cancer is not present, while others might get a false sense of security from normal test results when cancer is actually present".


(2) Furthermore to confound things, several factors and conditions can affect the PSA levels including; Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - a non-cancerous enlargement that occurs with age can increase PSA levels, Age - PSA levels will also normally go up slowly as you get older, Prostatitis - an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland can elevate PSA levels, Ejaculation can cause the PSA to go up for a short time, and then go down again, medications including herbal mixtures can interfere with PSA measurements and Obesity tends to have lower PSA levels.


(3) In early 2009, two large-scale studies on the risks and benefits of PSA testing were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Unfortunately, instead of settling the PSA question once and for all, the two studies actually produced somewhat contradictory results.

In the American study on PSA, researchers followed up 76,693 men for 7 to 10 years who either had a PSA test or a DRE and compared mortalities due to prostate cancer. The study results showed that "the rate of death from prostate cancer was very low and did not differ significantly between the two study groups."


In the European study on PSA, researchers followed up about 182,000 men who either had PSA or no PSA testing and compared mortality rates. The study results showed that "PSA-based screening reduced the rate of death from prostate cancer by 20% but was associated with a high risk of overdiagnosis.


Although the screening tests can detect early cancer they cannot determine whether the cancer will prove to be fast-growing and aggressive or slow growing and benign. For patients and health care providers alike, this lack of clarity in the tests results creates a dilemma: treat the cancer before it spreads any further or do nothing but practice what is called "watchful waiting" or "expectant management" with serial PSAs and eventual biopsy. As a result of the PSA test's shortcomings there tends to be overdiagnosis which creates overtreatment - too many invasive biopsies and serial blood tests which consumes precious healthcare resources and productivity.


Other screening tests have been developed but due to limitations have not replaced the conventional screening tests.


(1) Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) uses ultrasound technology to view the prostate gland by inserting a small electronic probe into the rectum. However, TRUS is usually not used as a routine screening test for prostate cancer because its low detection power may not reveal early stage cancer. However, TRUS is a useful method used in conjunction with a prostate biopsy. It helps guide the biopsy needle into the right area of the prostate.

(2) Urine test for prostate cancer. A recent study identified a molecule in the urine that could be used as a disease marker in prostate cancer patients. The molecule has been identified as sarcosine "a derivative of the amino acid glycine. However, the technique is still used primarily for the staging of prostate cancer.


And to add insult to injury if supported by a positive biopsy, chances are that doctors will recommend treatment which usually involves surgical removal of the gland, the so-called prostatectomy. Unfortunately, this conventional and invasive treatment can have the following side effects: interference with sexual and urinary function, psychological distress and lower quality of life.


However, on the bright side, while we wait for better screening methods for prostate cancer, several new treatment trends have emerged.


(1) Interventional cryoablation. Cryoablation is the male equivalent of a lumpectomy, as in breast cancer, which entails localizing the tumor and destroying it by freezing. Interventional radiologists insert a probe through the skin, using imaging to guide the needle to the tumor; the probe then circulates extremely cold gas to freeze and destroy the cancerous tissue. This minimally invasive treatment targets only the cancer itself, sparing healthy tissue in and around the prostate gland rather than destroying it, as traditional approaches do.


(2) Cancer vaccines. These biological response modifiers work by stimulating or restoring the immune system's ability to fight infections and disease. There are two broad types of cancer vaccines, preventive vaccines, which are intended to prevent cancer from developing in healthy people and treatment vaccines, which are intended to treat already existing cancers by strengthening the body's natural defenses against cancer. Currently, no cancer vaccine has been approved for prostate cancer but there are several drugs in development.


Researchers at the Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island are developing "designer immune cells" to treat prostate cancer. They removed T-cells from patients and genetically engineered them to recognize prostate-specific membrane antigen, or PSMA which are found on the outer membrane of prostate cells. The biological drug is currently in Phase I trials.


The therapeutic vaccine Provenge, manufactured by Dendreon, is showing a lot of promise. The recent results from a Phase III trial showed that men with advanced prostate cancer lived an average of 4 months longer than men who did not receive it. However, while the drug prolonged life span of the patients, it does not slow down disease progression.


Another vaccine is PROSTVAC-VF which is made from a virus that has been genetically modified to contain prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The patient's immune system should respond to the virus and begin to recognize and destroy cancer cells containing PSA.


Of interest one of the largest studies on the effect of vitamin supplements on prostate cancer produced rather disappointing results and had to be stopped prematurely. The National Cancer Institute SELECT trial investigated whether supplementation with vitamin E, selenium, or a combination of the two can lower the risk of prostate cancer. Unfortunately, the results after five years revealed otherwise. In fact, study participants who took only vitamin E actually had a slightly increased risk of developing prostate cancer while those taking only selenium seemed to have a slightly increased risk of developing diabetes.


Currently, no major scientific or medical organization, including the American Cancer Society (ACS), American Urological Association (AUA), US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American College of Physicians (ACP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) support routine screening for prostate cancer.


However, the PSA test still remains the gold standard for prostate cancer screening and on the bright side, PSA test unreliability has and is stimulating the quest for better management techniques, especially in the non-invasive arena. Healthcare providers should openly talk with their patients about the benefits, risks, and uncertainties of prostate cancer screening so that men can "weigh their options" and make "informed decisions" about this issue.


In the meantime, prostate cancer screening continues to need a massage!

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The article 'Prostate Cancer Screening Needs a Massage' may be found in its entirety on http://HealthWorldNet.com

A Prostate Operation

Kegel exercises

Guide To Doing Kegel Exercises

Kegel exercises have been touted as great pelvic area exercises by many doctors and trainers. They were discovered by Dr. Kegel and the major goal of these exercises are to achieve better muscle tone for the muscles of the pelvic floor by strengthening them. Kegel exercises involve the tightening and relaxing of the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles which are a part of the pelvic floor.

These exercises have been recommended for women who are pregnant as it assists in preparing the pelvic area for child birth. They have also been used to help treat men who suffer from prostrate pain and swelling. Other benefits of doing Kegel exercises include urinary incontinence treatment and increased sexual pleasure.

How to do Kegel exercises

Before you begin doing the exercise it is important you know where the Kegel muscles are. The easiest way to find your Kegel muscles is to stop your urine midstream. The pelvic floor muscles are what are used to do this and it is done by contracting them. When you release the pelvic muscles you will start the flow again.

The basic Kegel exercise just involves the contracting and relaxing the muscle repeatedly. These exercises have a number of variations including varying the speed at which the muscles are contracted and relaxed. Here are some Kegel exercises you can do.

Exercise 1

Step 1. As fast as you can tighten the release the pubococcygeus muscles for a count of ten seconds, then rest for ten seconds. Do a set of three and afterwards rest for thirty seconds.

Step 2. Next you tighten and release the same muscles for five seconds and rest for five seconds. Repeat this sequence ten times.

Step 3. Now you will once again contract your pubococcygeus muscles for 30 seconds and then relax them for 30 seconds. Do this for a set of three.

Step 4. Repeat step one.

Exercise 2

Step 1. Contract the pubococcygeus muscles. Hold for five seconds, and then relax them. Do this for a set of ten.

Step 2. Contract and relax the muscle as fast as you can for a set of ten. Do three sets.

Step 3. Once again contract and relax the muscle for ten second counts and varying the intervals. Do this for three sets. Step 4. Squeeze the muscle. Hold for as close to two minutes as you can.

Exercise 3

Step 1. Contract and relax the muscle repeatedly for a count of thirty. Do at least four sets.

Step 2. Contract your pubococcygeus muscles as much as you can. Hold for 25 seconds and then relax for thirty seconds. Do this five times. It is important to remember that you do not need to go to a gym or any special classes to do these exercises. You can do them at any time you want and any where you want. No special clothes are need or equipment. You can do them sitting or standing. The key to getting the benefits of Kegel exercises is to do them often and consistently.

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Article by Dominic Ferrara, on behalf of http://NewsorRevews.com/articles/exercise Check out our "Health" category of quality articles.

Where to start. - My own story

I am now 52 and just two and a half years ago I heard those words from my doctor "we think you may have prostrate cancer and need to have a biopsy".

I have decided to share my journey so far so that you may take comfort in knowing there are others out there that are going through the same issues. Please leave comments if you need to know something specific and I will try and address them.

I am a very positive person in life but hearing that pretty much floored me. I went through all the normal feelings.
Why me?
They can't be right?
I am as healthy as a horse so they must be wrong.
What going to happen to me and more importantly to the family.

Anyway as I said I am a very positive person so I said let's do it I am sure they are wrong but let's get in there and find out for sure.

So in I went for day surgery. I went by myself as I wanted to handle it by myself.

Surrounded by beeping machines and hospital personnel running to and fro I lay and waited for the orderly to take me to surgery.

I have to say I was not as positive laying there on the bed but I resigned myself to what would be.

I will continue "my own story" but also I want to share other articles with you. as we go along. I will always add the words "My own story" in the title so it easier for you to find.

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