Prostate cancer is the second largest cause of male cancer deaths, after lung cancer in many western countries. Every year, around 12,000 Australian men are diagnosed and more than 2,700 die of the disease. Currently there are 215,000 new cases a year in the USA; 30,000 in the UK; 20,000 in Canada and 12,000 in Australia. If detected early, it can be treated.
Read below the details on warning signs, causes, prevention, cure and treatment options of prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer may be life-threatening. Most men do not recognize any symptoms or signs of prostate cancer. There are no actual warning signs of prostate cancer. However, the problems associated with the prostate or enlarged prostate show symptoms. Prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer and may prolong for many years. Prostate cancer that develops in younger men usually turns to be more aggressive and hence more life-threatening.
In prostate cancer, some of the cells of the prostate multiply more rapidly than in a normal prostate, leading to a malignant (cancerous) tumor. The tumor grows slowly and remains confined to the prostate gland for many years with no symptoms.
These cancer cells break out of the prostate and attack surrounding tissues and other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs and liver producing secondary tumors.
All men should consider get their prostate tested once periodically from age 50 onwards, or from 40 onwards if his father or brother had (has) this cancer.
Warning Signs/Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer often doesn't produce any noticeable symptoms. So in many cases, it is not detected in early stage.
In general, the signs or symptoms of prostate cancer are similar to those associated with the prostate problem.
The cause of prostate cancer is not known in most cases. About 10% of cases are hereditary. In some cases, the prostate cancer can be due to the exposure to high levels of radiation. The growth and division of the prostate cancer cells depend on the male hormones, androgens produced by the body.
Some studies have suggested the following ways of prostate cancer prevention.
A low fat diet can reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
In general, heart and cholesterol friendly foods, i.e. healthy heart foodsare considered good for the prostate.
A diet high in tomatoes, Vitamin E, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Tomatoes contain lycopene (a pigment that gives tomatoes their red color) is the most powerful carotene, with 10 times more antioxidant power than beta carotene. Studies conducted at the Harvard University in 2003 that risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer can be reduced by 50% by 10 servings per week of tomatoes per week.
A daily glass of pomegranate juice, which is high in antioxidants may be effective in slowing down the progression of prostate cancer according to Dr. Pantuck, a urologist at UCLA Jonson Cancer Center.
Supplements for Prostate
Eating selenium rich foods or supplements can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. 200 microgram of selenium each day can reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Eating zinc rich foods (15 milligrams of zinc per day) or supplements can prevent the risk of prostate cancer. Zinc is helpful for enlarged prostates and inflamed prostates. A daily zinc supplement totaling 50 to 100 mg is frequently recommended to help shrink an enlarged prostate. Consult your doctor.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Prostate cancer, if in advanced stage (i.e. spread to other parts of the body) is very difficult to cure. Treatment cannot fully cure men of advanced prostate cancer, but can enhance their life with several years. However, if the prostate cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully.
Moral: Follow the simple tips that will control the symptoms of enlarged prostate. This will help to protect your prostate and avoid the prostate cancer. If you find any of the symptoms of prostate problem, you should consult your Doctor. It may be nothing, but you should be sure.
Possible Treatments for Prostate Cancer
Prostate Surgery Treatment: The whole prostate gland is removed by an operation called a prostatectomy.
Prostate Radiotherapy Treatment: The affected area is irradiated with high energy rays that kill the cancer cells. Another option for prostate cancer treatment isTrachytherapy, in which small radioactive pellets or wires are inserted into the prostate tumor. this type of radiotherapy kills the cancer from the inside.
Prostate Hormone Therapy Treatment: Drugs are used to either reduce the level of androgens produced by the body or block the effect of androgens on the cancer cells. These stop the growth of the tumor and sometimes shrink it. However, after about 5 - 7 years, the hormone therapy becomes ineffective as the cancer cells start growing without androgens.
Alternative prostate cancer treatment: TheProstate Herb: Saw palmetto extract has shown to be effective for inflammation and enlargement of the prostate. It is extracted from the ripened berries of the saw palmetto shrub which grows in Georgia and Florida along the ocean. However, its safety and effectiveness has not been proved by FDA. Check with your doctor before taking any herb.
More information on the prostate cancer may be found in the following sites:
American Urological Association: www.urologyhealth.org
The Prostatitis Foundation: www.prostatitis.org
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia: www.prostate.org.au
Federal Drug Administration: www.fda.gov
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