back...

Prostate Cancer

Cancer of the prostate gland develops withinin the male reproductive system. This cancer occurs when cells of the prostate begin to mutate and to multiply out of control. These cells may spread or metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph system. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in uninating, , impotence and other symptoms, and eventually death.

Age plays a large role in prostate cancer as it develops most frequently in men over fifty. In the United States for example, it is second in causes of death by cancer only to lung cancer . Strangely a men who develop prostate cancer may never have symptoms, undergo no therapy, and eventually die of old age. However, it is now generally believed that genetics and diet, have a direct role in the development of prostate cancer. Still, prostate cancer is not a preventable disease, but in some ways, avoidablable.

Prostate cancer in its early states usually has no symptoms. More often than not, it is diagnosed during a routine check-up as an elevated PSA result. Often prostate cancer exhibits the same symptoms similar to those of diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. These include urinating frequently, especially at night, difficulty starting and maintaining a steady stream of urine, the presence of blood in the unine, and painful urination. Prostate cancer often causes problems with sexual function, such as difficulty achieving erection or painful ejaculations.

Prostate cancer in its later stages may cause additional symptoms as the disease metastasizes to other parts of the body. The commonest symptom is pain in the bones, and often in the vertebrae (bones of the spine), pelvis and ribs. Prostate cancer once metastasized to the spine can also compress the spinal cord, causing weakness in the legs, urinary and fecal incontinence.

Prostate cancer can be discovered by a number ways; these include direct physical examination, and special screening blood tests, such as the PSA test. Although fairly accurate, the antigens that the PSA tests for are produced naturally by healthy males. Therefore any suspected prostate cancer is typically confirmed by removing a piece of the prostate biopy. Other tests such as x-ray, CAT scans. MRIs, may be done to determine whether prostate cancer has spread.

Prostate cancer is usually treated with surgery, radio and radiation therapy, hormore therapy, sometimes as an adjunct chemotherapy, or some combination of these, including now, many alternate medical solutions. The age and general condition of health of the man as well as the extent of spread, appearance under the microscope, and response of the cancer to initial treatment are important in determining the outcome of the disease. The decision whether or not to treat localized prostate cancer (a tumor that is contained within the prostate) with curative intent is a decision the patient (and his family) must make between the expected benefits and harmful effects in terms of patient survival and quality of life.

Amoung the most promising of the alternative medical treatments is a mixture of eight Chinese herbs. This mixture has been tested in the treatment of prostate cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy. Called 'PC-SPES', this mixture of herbs is believed to stimulate the production of hormones in the body. In one study, the herbal mixture caused a drop of 52% in PSA levels for 87% of the study participants. The herb mixture does anti-indications including blood clots and nipple tenderness.

With cancers at the early stages, the prognosis is very good. For men treated with stage I or stage II disease, over 95% are alive after five years. Even with the more advanced cancers of Stage III, the five-year prognosis is still good, with 70% of men diagnosed at this stage still living. The spread of the cancer into the pelvis, lymph, or distant locations are very serious, and the five-year survival rate drops to 30% for the last stages.

As the cause of the prostate cancer is not known, there is no real way to prevent it. It is simply recommended to have a rectal examination every year after the age of 40, and a PSA test every year after 50. Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, will have a higher than average risk, should begin annual PSA testing even earlier, starting at age 45.

To prevent prostate cancer, it is recommended to mainatain a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber, and low in red meat and saturated fats. Tomatoes are especially good, as well as soy products, in the inhibition of prostate cancer progression. A life-style that is very active with a fitness program, no smoking at all, and only mild to no alcohol consumption may also slow prostate cancer's progression.