Health Information Center

Prostate cancer is the male equivalent of breast cancer, which plagues millions of women. Fortunately, a little precaution can reduce the dangers of prostate cancer, and might even help save your life. It is crucial for men to pay attention to their health, especially as they age. Prostate cancer is the third major cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Many men do not realize the severity of this hazardous disease and fail to receive regular prostate checkups.

Prostate cancer starts with the growth of a malignant tumor inside the prostate gland and spreads by extending into the bladder, seminal vesicles, and peritoneal cavity. It eventually metastasizes to the bones, lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and kidneys. The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, although recent studies find a small relation between increased testosterone levels and high dietary fat intake. Prostate cancer is rarely occurs in men under 40 years of age. The highest level of occurrence is greatest in African-American men over 60 years old. Increased occurrence is also associated environmental exposure to cadmium, a metallic element. The lowest incidence of prostate cancer occurs in vegetarians. Continue reading ‘The Man Killer: Prostate Cancer’ »

Prostate cancer brings with it symptoms that can alert you to its beginning and progression. If you can catch prostate cancer in the earliest stages, you may not even experience any symptoms. This speaks to the importance of regular screening by your physician. Prostate cancer is very survivable if it is caught and treated during the earliest stages. If you experience any of the symptoms below, set up an appointment with your chosen health care provider.

Some of the symptoms that men might experience, if they have not been yet diagnosed and begun treatment, include a need to frequently urinate, most especially during the night. You may need to get up several times or more over a sleep period, which can require you to sleep longer in order to get the minimum number of restful hours that your body needs to function. Continue reading ‘Prostate Cancer Symptoms’ »

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among American men. This cancer is the second highest cause of death from cancer for males.

Over a quarter of a million men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer annually. One out of every six men in America will be diagnosed with this form of cancer at some time in their lives. The number who will die from prostate cancer is one out of every thirty four men. Factors affecting the susceptibility to this cancer include genetics and life style factors such as overweight and smoking.

While all of this may sound very pessimistic there is hope and a very simple natural remedy that offers definite benefits for men who may be susceptible to prostate cancer or already have this form of cancer. Omega 3 fish oil supplements which are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to be able to reduce the possibility of this form of cancer as well as extending the life expectancy of those men who already have it. Continue reading ‘Prostate Cancer – Scared? Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements Can Help’ »

Prostate cancer can be seen only in males, as this disease is related with male reproductive system. This type of cancer usually occurs when a man crosses fifty years or more. In this disease, the cancer cells spread from prostate to other parts of the body, which may result in pain during urinating, ejaculating and other related dysfunctions. The cancer cells multiply and spread in bone areas and lymph nodes.

Prostate cancer is widely seen throughout the world. It can be seen in US the most, and more in European countries besides Asian countries. Generally, treatments for any type of cancer are radiation therapy (X-rays) and surgery. These cancer treatments, however, are intent to cure the disease.

Etiology (causes):

Prostate cancer’s cause is not precisely known. However, there could be following factors involved:

1) Genetic
2) Hormonal
3) Environmental
4) Chemical, and
5) Nutritional or dietary factors Continue reading ‘Know Everything About Prostate Cancer Treatment’ »

Are you worried over treatment for prostate cancer? Don’t worry. With medical improvements, there are lots of options for you to go for the treatment. However, you need to be well versed with some facts before you finalize your treatment option. The treatment for prostate cancer depends largely on the diagnosis and the spread of the tumor. For those cases where the tumors are still in the premises of the prostate, the radiation therapy is the best curs. It destroys the infected cells and can refine the whole system without pain. In some cases, it is associated with surgery that is called radical prostatectomy which is the most popular and well accepted treatment.

However, it should be kept in mind that doctors do not suggest nor it is recommended to go for surgery unless the tumor is big enough. These surgeries are not a good option when the prostate cancer is in the initial stage. Stopping the growth of tumor when detected at early stage is the best option. Some other options are:

a) Radical prostatectomy
b) Radiation therapy
c) Watchful waiting
d) Hormone therapy
e) Prostate cancer treatment Continue reading ‘Prostate Cancer Treatment Options’ »

There is no specific cause for prostrate cancer. But the most commonly observed are old age, inheritance, hormonal effects, infections due to toxins and chemicals. People who are below 40 are less prone to prostrate cancer, but those who are above 80 are more prone. Almost 70-80% of the population in this age group are known to be affected by prostrate cancer.

Inheritance plays a major role in causing prostrate cancer. The type of food consumed or the environment are also equally responsible for causing prostrate cancer. Prostrate cancer is more common in people who already have members infected in the family. Therefore, a person whose grandfather or uncle or father is already having prostrate cancer has a risk of developing prostrate cancer as compared to a person whose family is not affected. Inheritance is majorly caused due to genes that are located on chromosomes and which determine some qualities in individuals.

Talking about hormones, the male hormone which is called as testosterone, is responsible for the abnormal growth of the prostrate tissue and prostrate cancer cells. It is believed to be directly involved in causing and spreading of prostrate cancer. Continue reading ‘Causes and Prevention of Prostate Cancer’ »

In Stage III prostate cancer, the cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland. It is now affecting nearby tissues but has not reached the bladder, lymph nodes, rectum, or other organs and structures of the body. Surgery and radiation therapy can be an option for Stage III prostate cancer, depending on the case; however, normally they are less likely to work at this stage.

Possible Treatment Options
Radiation therapy or surgery may not be an option at this stage of the cancer; it depends on the patient and that particular case of cancer for the doctors to decide. They still could be possibilities in some cases. In others, a combination of different treatment options could be prescribed. Below is a list of possible treatment options for Stage III cancer of the prostate.

• External radiation therapy (XRT) in combination with Hormone therapy
• Hormone therapy by itself
• Radical Prostatectomy
• Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting will normally be used in patients who are 70 years old and older. This type of usually grows at a slow pace, so in older patients many doctors may prefer to use this technique to see what the cancer is going to do and whether treatment is even necessary. Continue reading ‘Stage III Prostate Cancer’ »

Hundreds of reviews concerning lycopene and prostate cancer have been published since 1990. Interestingly, one of the earliest showed that high levels of retinol (vitamin A) in the bloodstream were associated with a reduced risk of the disease.

Vitamin A can be obtained through diet or created in the body, if a person eats beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the best known of a family of pigments known as carotenoids. The lesser-known ones include zeaxanthin, lutein and lycopene. Judging from a growing amount of research, diets rich in carotenoids may reduce the risk of a variety of seemingly age-related diseases.

In 1991, researchers reported that low levels of lycopene in the bloodstream were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic, bladder and rectal cancers. In 1995, another group of researchers reported that there was a strong inverse connection between intake lycopene and prostate cancer risk. Continue reading ‘Lycopene and Prostate Cancer – What the Research is Telling Us’ »

Stage IV prostate cancer is diagnosed when the cancer has spread to other locations throughout the body. This stage of prostate cancer is hard to cure; however, with effective treatment techniques it is possible that the patient will live for several years.

Stage IV prostate cancer can further be classified into two different groups. In one group, the cancer is confined to the pelvic area although it is affecting lymph nodes and other organs within this region. In the other group, cancer has spread to distant locations in the body such as the bones.

Treatment Options
Depending on the patient’s particular case, a physician will recommend the best possible treatment or combination of treatments. Each patient will react differently to treatment for prostate cancer. It is the patient’s ultimate decision whether to receive treatment or maybe even opt for a different treatment. It is highly advisable that the patient receive treatment for cancer, in most cases. Continue reading ‘Stage IV Prostate Cancer’ »