Prostate Cancer

Blood in Stool

2012-10-18T14:32:00.003-07:00

Bleeding from the bowel is an important symptom that should always be checked out by a doctor.

At the age of 28 it is not likely to be anything serious, but it still needs to be diagnosed accurately and I think that you should see your GP to consider further examination.

I cannot give you a diagnosis, but I can offer some background information that I hope will be of some help.

More often than not there is an entirely harmless explanation for bleeding from the bowel, but most folk need some perspective and reassurance about the possibility of bowel cancer.

The overall lifetime risk of developing bowel cancer by the age of 80 years is about 4 per cent across the population and the great majority of these occur in people over the age of 45 years.

Under the age of 45 bowel cancer is very rare, unless it runs in the family.

A significant family history is one that contains a first degree relative (brother, sister, parent or child) under the age of 55 affected by cancer of the bowel or womb, or more than one such relative affected at any age.

A blood-stained stool is most likely to result from bleeding in your anal canal. The usual culprits are haemorrhoids (piles) that are capable of quite profuse blood loss or a small crack in the skin of the anus (a fissure).

Inflamed bowel can bleed too, but generally speaking it causes other symptoms as well, such as colic (spasmodic pain like trapped wind), diarrhoea or mucus (clear or blood-stained jelly).

Inflamed bowel can result from ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease (chronic inflammation of the intestine), or rare intestinal infections that are associated with prolonged antibiotic treatment or travel to exotic locations.

You might have read that Mefenamic acid can be associated with internal bleeding.

Like all anti-inflammatory painkillers it can cause irritation of the lining of the stomach in some people and in the most unlucky cases, ulceration and bleeding from the upper gut.

Such bleeding tends to present with partially digested blood in the stool (melaena) which is very black and tarry.

It's quite different from the normal motion and is suggestive of a significant internal bleed. Melaena represents a medical emergency and justifies urgent consultation.

Assuming that you don't have a family history like the one described, or any of the other symptoms that I've mentioned, it is most likely that you are bleeding from your anal canal.

However, I think most clinicians would agree that you'd be wise to get examined by your doctor, who may recommend that you have the lower part of your bowel investigated by a specialist.

Yours sincerely

The NetDoctor Medical Team

Source:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/cancer/202406.html

Anal Cancer

2012-10-18T14:30:00.001-07:00

The anus is the name for the muscular opening at the very end of the large bowel.

It is controlled by a ring of muscle called a sphincter that opens and closes to control bowel movements. The area that connects the anus to the rectum is called the anal canal and is around 3–4cm (1–1½in) long (see diagram below).

Cancer of the anus is rare. Around 930 people are diagnosed with anal cancer each year in the UK.

The most common type of anal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Other rarer types are basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and melanoma. This information is about squamous cell carcinoma.

Causes and possible risk factors

Anal cancer is slightly more common in women than men. There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing anal cancer. These include:

Human papilloma virus (HPV)
Anal cancer is more likely to develop in people who have had a viral infection called thehuman papilloma virus (HPV). The risk of having HPV increases with the number of sexual partners you have.

Sexual activity
People who have anal intercourse are more likely to develop anal cancer. This may be because they are more likely to have anal HPV.

Lowered immunity
The immune system is part of the body's defence against infections and illnesses like cancer.

Anal cancer is more common in people who have a lowered immunity, such as people taking medicines to suppress their immune system after an organ transplant or people with conditions such as HIV.

Smoking
Smoking tobacco increases the risk of developing anal cancer. We have more information on stopping smoking.

However, many people who get anal cancer will not have these risk factors and the cause remains unknown.

Genetic - Prostate Cancer Risk

2012-10-18T14:15:00.001-07:00

Genetic background may contribute to prostate cancer risk, as suggested by associations with race, family, and specific gene variants. Men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) with prostate cancer have twice the risk of developing prostate cancer, and those with two first-degree relatives affected have a fivefold greater risk compared with men with no family history.[18] In the United States, prostate cancer more commonly affects black men than white or Hispanic men, and is also more deadly in black men.[19] [20] In contrast, the incidence and mortality rates for Hispanic men are one third lower than for non-Hispanic whites. Studies of twins in Scandinavia suggest that forty percent of prostate cancer risk can be explained by inherited factors.[21

No single gene is responsible for prostate cancer; many different genes have been implicated. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, important risk factors for ovarian cancer and breast cancer in women, have also been implicated in prostate cancer.[22] Other linked genes include the Hereditary Prostate cancer gene 1 (HPC1), the androgen receptor, and the vitamin D receptor.[19] TMPRSS2-ETS gene family fusion, specifically TMPRSS2-ERG or TMPRSS2-ETV1/4 promotes cancer cell growth.[23]

Loss of cancer suppressor genes, early in the prostatic carcinogenesis, have been localized to chromosomes 8p, 10q, 13q,and 16q. P53 mutations in the primary prostate cancer are relatively low and are more frequently seen in metastatic settings, hence, p53 mutations are late event in pathology of prostate cancer. Other tumor suppressor genes that are thought to play a role in prostate cancer include PTEN (gene) and KAI1. "Up to 70 percent of men with prostate cancer have lost one copy of the PTEN gene at the time of diagnosis"[24] Relative frequency of loss of E-cadherin and CD44 has also been observed.

Prostate Cancer Staging

2012-10-18T13:59:00.004-07:00

Prostate cancer staging is the process by which physicians categorize the risk of cancer having spread beyond the prostate, or equivalently, the probability of being cured with local therapies such as surgery or radiation. Once patients are placed in prognostic categories, this information can contribute to the selection of an optimal approach to treatment. The information considered in such a prognostic classification can be based on physical examination, imaging studies and blood tests (so-called "clinical stage"), or based on the extent of disease as revealed in a surgical specimen (so-called "pathologic stage").

There are two schemes commonly used to stage prostate cancer. The most common is promulgated by the American Joint Committee on Cancer, and is known as the TNM system, which evaluates the size of the tumor, the extent of involved lymph nodes, and any metastasis (distant spread) and also takes into account cancer grade. As with many other cancers, these are often grouped into four stages (I–IV). Another scheme, now used less commonly for research, but often still used by clinicians,^{[citation needed]} is the Whitmore-Jewett stage.^[1]

Briefly, Stage I disease is cancer that is found incidentally in a small part of the sample when prostate tissue was removed for other reasons, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy, and the cells closely resemble normal cells and the gland feels normal to the examining finger. In Stage II more of the prostate is involved and a lump can be felt within the gland. In Stage III, the tumor has spread through the prostatic capsule and the lump can be felt on the surface of the gland. In Stage IV disease, the tumor has invaded nearby structures, or has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. The Gleason Grading System is based on cellular content and tissue architecture from biopsies, which provides an estimate of the destructive potential and ultimate prognosis of the disease.

Prostate Cancer

2012-10-18T13:56:00.001-07:00

What Are Colon Cancer Symptoms?

2012-10-18T13:29:00.002-07:00

Getting a Handle on Colon Cancer Symptoms

Colon cancer symptoms aren't always obvious, but you can learn what these symptoms look and feel like. Understanding colon cancer symptoms is important, because you can use this knowledge to work with your doctor to find out the cause and take care of your long-term health.

What is the Colon?

In order to understand what colon cancer symptoms might feel like, it helps to learn a bit about the colon. The colon is an important part of the digestive system, and as such, it has a major role in helping the body absorb nutrients, minerals, and water. The colon also helps rid the body of waste in the form of stool. The colon makes up the majority of the large intestine, approximately six feet in length. The last six inches or so of the large intestine are the rectum and the anal canal.

What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer can have many symptoms. However, in the early stages, people with colon cancer often have no symptoms at all. This is why regular screening beginning at 50 is an important investment in your healthy future.

Colon cancer symptoms come in two general varieties:

Local
Systemic

Local Colon Cancer Symptoms

Local colon cancer symptoms affect your bathroom habits and the colon itself. Some of the more common local symptoms of colon cancer include:

Changes in your bowel habits, such as bowel movements that are either more or less frequent than normal
Constipation (difficulty having a bowel movement or straining to have a bowel movement)
Diarrhea (loose or watery stools)
Intermittent (alternating) constipation and diarrhea
Bright red or dark red blood in your stools or black, dark colored, "tarry" stools
Stools that are thinner than normal ("pencil stools") or feeling as if you cannot empty your bowels completely
Abdominal (midsection) discomfort, bloating, frequent gas pains, or cramps

If you experience any of these for two or more weeks, call your doctor right away to discuss your concerns and arrange for tests to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Systemic Colon Cancer Symptoms

Systemic colon cancer symptoms are those that affect your whole body, such as weight loss, and include:

Unintentional weight loss (losing weight when not dieting or trying to lose weight)
Loss of appetite
Unexplained fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Nausea or vomiting
Anemia (low red blood cell count or low iron in your red blood cells)
Jaundice (yellow color to the skin and whites of the eyes)

If you experience any of these for any length of time, even a few days, call your doctor right away to discuss your concerns and arrange for tests to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

What Should I Do if I Have Colon Cancer Symptoms?

Call your doctor so he or she can set up an appointment to see you. During the appointment your doctor will take a medical history, collect blood samples for testing, and schedule you for follow-up tests, if needed.

Many people are afraid of colon cancer screening. They worry that it will hurt and that it is embarrassing. Your doctor and nurse have performed hundreds, and in some cases even thousands, of these procedures. There is nothing to be embarrassed about and remember: Even your doctor and nurse undergo these same tests to take care of their own health.

Preparing for Colon Cancer Tests

If you are worried about preparing for your colon cancer tests, ask your doctor about how best to get ready for any procedures. There are different medications for clearing your colon of stool to ensure a good screening. There is no reason to suffer in silence!

Diagnosis of Colon Cancer and How Not to Dread Colon Cancer Screening provide detailed information on screening procedures, plus tips on how to make preparing for these tests easier.

_{Sources

The American Cancer Society: Learn about Colon and Rectum Cancer. Accessed: January 20, 2009.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=10

The Colon Cancer Alliance. Accessed: January 20, 2009.
http://www.ccalliance.org

The Colorectal Cancer Coalition. Accessed: January 20, 2009.
http://www.fightcolorectalcancer.org

The Colon Cancer Foundation. Accessed: January 20, 2009.
http://www.coloncancerfoundation.org

The National Cancer Institute: Colon and Rectal Cancer. Accessed: January 20, 2009.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal

Source:

http://coloncancer.about.com/od/coloncancerbasics/a/colcansymptoms.htm}

Cancer During Pregnancy

2012-10-18T13:23:00.005-07:00

Cancer during pregnancy is rare, occurring in approximately one out of every 1,000 pregnancies, and little research is available to guide women and doctors. However, a pregnant woman with cancer is capable of giving birth to a healthy baby, and some cancer treatments are safe during pregnancy. Cancer rarely affects the fetus directly. Although some cancers may spread to the placenta (a temporary organ that connects the mother and fetus), most cancers cannot spread to the fetus itself.

The cancers that tend to occur during pregnancy are those that are more common in younger people, such as cervical cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and melanoma. In addition, a gestational trophoblastic tumor is a rare cancer that occurs in a woman's reproductive system. It is most commonly the result of an abnormal combination of a sperm and an egg; in other cases, it begins from a normal placenta.

Because age is the most significant risk factor for cancer, the rate of cancer during pregnancy may be increasing as more women are waiting until they are older to have children.

Diagnosis

Being pregnant often delays a cancer diagnosis because some cancer symptoms such as abdominal bloating, frequent headaches, or rectal bleeding are common during pregnancy and are not considered suspicious.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant women, affecting approximately one in 3,000 pregnancies. Pregnancy-related breast enlargement may make it difficult to detect small breast tumors, and mammograms are not regularly done during pregnancy.

If cancer is suspected during pregnancy, women and their doctors may be concerned about diagnostic tests such as x-rays. However, research has shown that the level of radiation in diagnostic x-rays is too low to harm the fetus. When possible, women may use a lead shield that covers the abdomen for extra protection. Other diagnostic tests—such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, andbiopsy—are also considered safe during pregnancy because they don't use ionizing radiation.

Sometimes, pregnancy can uncover cancer that had previously gone undetected. For example, a Pap test performed as part of standard prenatal care can detect cervical cancer. Similarly, an ultrasound performed during pregnancy can find ovarian cancer that might otherwise go undiagnosed.

Treatment

When making treatment decisions for cancer during pregnancy, the doctor considers the best treatment options for the mother and the possible risks to the fetus. The type of treatment given depends on many factors, including gestational age of the fetus (stage of the pregnancy); the type, location, size, and stage of the cancer; and the wishes of the expectant mother and family. Because some cancer treatments can harm the fetus, especially during the first trimester (the first three months of pregnancy), treatment may be delayed until the second or third trimesters. When cancer is diagnosed later in pregnancy, doctors may wait to start treatment until after the baby is born, or they may consider inducing labor early. In some cases, such as early-stage (stage 0 or IA) cervical cancer, doctors may wait to treat the cancer until after delivery.

Some cancer treatments may be used during pregnancy but only after careful consideration and treatment planning to optimize the safety of the mother and the unborn baby. These include surgery, chemotherapy, and rarely, radiation therapy.

Surgery. Surgery is the removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue during an operation. It poses little risk to the fetus and is considered the safest cancer treatment option during pregnancy. In some instances, more extensive surgery can be done to avoid having to use chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells, usually by stopping the cancer cells' ability to grow and divide. Chemotherapy can harm the fetus, particularly if it is given during the first trimester of pregnancy when the fetus' organs are still developing. Chemotherapy during the first trimester may cause birth defects or even the loss of the unborn baby. During the second and third trimesters, some types of chemotherapy may be given without necessarily harming the fetus. The placenta acts as a barrier between the mother and the fetus, and some drugs cannot pass through the barrier, or they pass through only minimally. If the planned chemotherapy includes a drug that is not safe during any stage of pregnancy, the doctor can sometimes substitute another drug. Although chemotherapy in the later stages of pregnancy may not directly harm the fetus, it may cause side effectsâsuch as malnutrition and anemia, meaning a low read blood cell countâfor the mother that may indirectly harm the fetus. In addition, chemotherapy given during the second and third trimesters often causes early labor and low birth weight, both of which may lead to further health concerns for the mother and the baby. The baby may struggle to gain weight and fight infections, and the mother may have trouble breastfeeding.?

Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. Because radiation therapy can harm the fetus, particularly during the first trimester, doctors generally avoid using this treatment. Even in the second and third trimesters, the use of radiation therapy is rare, and it depends on the dose of radiation and the area of the body being treated.

Breastfeeding

Although cancer cells cannot pass to the infant through breast milk, doctors advise women who are being treated for cancer not to breastfeed. Chemotherapy can be especially dangerous because the drugs may be transferred to the infant through the breast milk, causing harm. Similarly, radioactive components that are taken internally, such as radioactive iodine used in treating thyroid cancer, also cross into breast milk and can harm the infant.

How pregnancy affects chance of recovery from cancer

The prognosis (chance of recovery) for a pregnant woman with cancer is often the same, compared with other women of the same age with the same type and stage of cancer. However, if a woman's diagnosis is delayed during pregnancy, the extent of the cancer at the time of diagnosis may be greater, resulting in a worse overall prognosis. In addition, pregnancy sometimes affects the behavior of some cancers. For example, there is some evidence to suggest that the hormonal changes of pregnancy may stimulate the growth of malignant melanoma.

Pregnancy after cancer treatment

As more young people are surviving cancer, more women are considering whether they should have a baby after having cancer. In general, pregnancy after cancer treatment is considered safe for both the mother and the baby, and pregnancy does not appear to increase the chances of cancer recurring (coming back). However, because some cancers do recur, women are usually advised to wait a number of years after completing cancer treatment until the risk of recurrence has decreased. The amount of time a patient may be advised to wait before trying to become pregnant depends on the type and stage of cancer, the type of treatment the patient received, and the patient's preferences.

Sometimes, cancer treatments can damage specific areas of the body, such as the heart or lungs. Before becoming pregnant, your doctor may need to evaluate these organs to be sure that the pregnancy will be safe.

Unfortunately, some cancer treatments also cause infertility, making it difficult or impossible for some women to have children. All women of childbearing age who are interested in having children in the future should talk with their doctor about treatment-related infertility risks and fertility preservation strategies before beginning treatment.

Read ASCO's guideline on fertility preservation and cancer treatment to learn about options to preserve fertility before cancer treatment.

What are symptoms in skin cancer?

2012-10-18T13:18:00.001-07:00

Checking your skin for signs of skin cancer
The symptoms of non melanoma skin cancer can usually be seen quite easily. They tend to occur most often on skin that is exposed to the sun. It will help you to spot skin cancers early if you are aware of how your skin normally looks. That way, you will recognise any changes more easily. Remember to get your partner or someone else you trust to check your back or other areas that you can’t easily see. This is very important if you sunbathe a lot or if you regularly work outside without a shirt on.

There is also information about changes to look for with the skin cancer that develops from abnormal moles (melanoma) on the page about symptoms of melanoma.

Where non melanoma skin cancers usually develop
Skin cancers can develop on or near other non cancerous (benign) skin growths. You should show your doctor any area of your skin that is damaged and does not heal up.

The symptoms of non melanoma skin cancer may be similar to symptoms of other skin conditions. It is worth having any symptom checked by your GP. Your doctor won’t think you are bothering them for something trivial. They can decide whether your symptoms need to be investigated further.

How skin cancers can appear
Skin cancers can appear as

A spot or sore that does not heal within 4 weeks
A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, scab, crust or bleed for more than 4 weeks
Areas where the skin has broken down or become an ulcer, you can't think of a reason for this change, and it does not heal within 4 weeks
An ulcer is an area that is breaking down and begins to get deeper. This can be called erosion.

Basal cell skin cancers look like a small, slow growing, shiny, pink or red lump. If left, they tend to become crusty, bleed, or develop into an ulcer. They are commonest on the face, scalp, ears, hands, shoulders and back.

Squamous cell skin cancers are usually pink lumps. They may have hard or scaly skin on the surface. They can bleed easily and develop into an ulcer. They are most often found on the face, neck, lips, ears, hands, shoulders, arms and legs.

Bowen’s disease
This is a very early form of skin cancer. It usually looks like a red patch that may be itchy. It can appear anywhere on the skin. But it can also develop on the moist membranes of the body. Moist membranes means soft wet skin similar to the skin on the inside of your mouth. Bowen's disease may appear as a white patch in the mouth or a red patch in the genital area.

What are the Signs of Childhood Cancer?

2012-10-18T13:07:00.001-07:00

Even though there are many different types of childhood cancer, the risk for any one child to have cancer is fairly low and cancer is considered to be rare in children. Overall, there are only about 150 cases of childhood cancer for every 1 million children in the United States. Still, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in children, so it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer in children.

Among the types of cancer that children are most likely to get include:

leukemia - most common type of childhood cancer
brain tumors - second most common form of cancer in children
lymphoma - such as Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma
neuroblastoma - most common solid tumor outside of the brain in children
bone tumors - including Ewing's sarcoma and Osteosarcoma
retinoblastoma - an eye tumor that is usually detected by examining for a red reflex in a child's eye
Wilm's Tumor - a kidney tumor that mostly affects young children between the ages of 2 and 4 years

The symptoms of these cancers are sometimes easy to recognize, such as the large abdominal mass in a child with Wilm's Tumor.

Some other symptoms of cancer in children might include fever, frequent infections, bone pain, night sweats, vomiting, and headaches, all of which children often have when they have more common and less serious viral infections or other common problems of childhood.

How Prostate Cancer Works in Time for Fathers Day

2012-10-18T13:01:00.001-07:00

Since today is Father’s Day, it’s a great time to bring awareness to something very important that affects men. As the description of the video reads, “We care about our dads, uncles, grandpas – and all of the men in our lives. So why not understand the basics underlying the 2nd largest cancer killer in America and the UK among men (and 6th worldwide)?”

We are reminded that 80 percent of men will suffer from prostate cancer before the age of 80. Those are staggering and frightening statistics! In the short video, they strip down the process of cell regulation, cancer, and what is known about prostate cancer.

Watch the video below and share it with your friends and family to help bring awareness and discussion around this important issue.

What causes prostate cancer?

2012-10-18T12:55:00.003-07:00

At this time, scientists do not know exactly what causes prostate cancer. However, there are certain factors that increase a man's chance of getting prostate cancer. These include:

Age: As men get older, their chance of getting prostate cancer increases.
Race: Prostate cancer is more common in African American men than in white men. In New York State, African American men are one and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer and almost two times as likely to die from the disease as white men.
Family History: A man with a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer is two to three times more likely to get prostate cancer than one who does not have a close family member with the disease.
High Fat Foods: Some studies suggest a diet high in animal fat or meat may increase a man's risk for prostate cancer.

Can a man survive prostate cancer?

2012-10-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Yes. Men are surviving prostate cancer. In fact, the number of deaths from prostate cancer has declined. If detected early, the disease can be cured.

What is metastatic prostate cancer?

2012-10-18T12:50:00.002-07:00

Sometimes, cancer cells break away from the malignant tumor in the prostate and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system and travel to other organs in the body. This is called metastatic prostate cancer.

Will My Diet Affect My Treatment?

2012-10-18T12:49:00.006-07:00

Yes. Good nutrition is an important part of recovering from the side effects of radiation therapy. When you are eating well, you have the energy to do the activities you want to do, and your body is able to heal and fight infection. Most important, good nutrition can give you a sense of well-being.

Since eating when you don't feel well can be difficult, consider working with a dietitian. He or she can help make sure that you are getting adequate nutrition during your radiation therapy.

What Are the Marks on My Skin?

2012-10-18T12:49:00.004-07:00

Small marks resembling freckles will be made on your skin along the treatment area by the radiation therapist. These marks provide a semi-permanent outline of your treatment area. Do not try to wash these marks off or retouch them if they fade. The therapist will re-mark the treatment area when necessary.

What Happens on Treatment Days?

2012-10-18T12:49:00.002-07:00

External radiation therapy requires regular sessions (generally five days per week) during a period of about eight to nine weeks. For each treatment, the radiation therapist will help you onto the treatment table and into the correct position. Once the therapist is sure you are positioned well, he or she will leave the room and start the radiation treatment.

You will be under constant observation during the treatment. Cameras and an intercom are in the treatment room, so the therapist can always see and hear you. Be sure to remain still and relaxed during treatment. Let the therapist know if you have any problems or discomfort.

The therapist will be in and out of the room to reposition the machine and change your position. The treatment machine will not touch you, and you will feel nothing during the treatment. Once the treatment is complete, the therapist will help you off the treatment table.

The radiation therapist will take a port film, also known as an X-ray, on the first day of treatment and about every week thereafter. Port films verify that you are being positioned accurately during your treatments.

Port films do not provide diagnostic information, so radiation therapists cannot learn about your progress from these films. However, port films are important to help the therapists make sure the radiation is delivered to the precise area that needs treatment.

What to Expect From Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer?

2012-10-18T12:48:00.002-07:00

Radiation therapy, also called X-ray therapy, uses high levels of radiation to kill prostate cancer cells or keep them from growing and dividing, while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
Radiation can be produced from a machine outside the body (external radiation) and directed right at the prostate or by putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes into the cancer-infected area (internal radiation or brachytherapy).
Internal radiation therapy places radioactive implants directly into the tumor. These radioactive sources can be temporary (removed after the proper dose is reached) or permanent.

Are there support groups available for men with prostate cancer?

2012-10-18T12:46:00.003-07:00

Support groups for men with prostate cancer are available throughout the state. Support groups provide information from experts in areas related to prostate cancer, including surgery, radiation, medications, nutrition, and psychology. Support group meetings are free and open to all men, family, friends, and health professionals interested in prostate cancer/disease. Prostate cancer support meetings are available through the following organizations:

Us TOO is a grassroots organization that has a network of more than 300 support groups located throughout the United States and abroad. There are meetings for men with prostate cancer and their friends and family that provide unbiased information from experts in areas related to prostate cancer including treatment options, pain control, nutrition, mental health, and coping strategies. To find an Us TOO meeting near you, go to: http://www.ustoo.com/Chapter_NearYou.asp?country1=United%20States
Man-to-Man is a program that helps men cope with prostate cancer by providing community-based education and support to patients and their family members. Support groups are a significant focus of this program providing opportunities to learn coping strategies and information about prostate cancer, treatment and side effects. Another program, Side to Side, holds meetings for friends and family members in need of support and information. To find a Man to Man or Side to Side group near you, call 1-800-ACS-2345.

What Causes Prostate Cancer?

2012-10-18T12:44:00.002-07:00

On a basic level, prostate cancer is caused by changes in the DNA of a prostate cell. In recent years, scientists have made great progress in understanding how certain changes in DNA can cause normal prostate cells to grow abnormally and form cancers. DNA is the chemical that makes up our genes, the instructions for nearly everything our cells do. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA. However, DNA affects more than how we look.

Some genes control when our cells grow, divide into new cells, and die. Certain genes that help cells grow and divide are called oncogenes. Others that normally slow down cell division or cause cells to die at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes. Cancer can be caused by DNA changes (mutations) that turn on oncogenes or turn off tumor suppressor genes.

DNA changes can either be inherited from a parent or can be acquired during a person's lifetime.

What is Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer

2012-10-18T12:42:00.001-07:00

During active surveillance (watchful waiting) for prostate cancer, you and your doctor closely monitor your prostate cancer for any changes. No medical treatment is provided — meaning medications, radiation and surgery aren't used. Periodic tests are done to check for signs the cancer is growing.

Because prostate cancer often grows slowly and may not require treatment, active surveillance can be an option for some men with prostate cancer. Active surveillance may be a good choice if your cancer is small, expected to grow very slowly, confined to one area of your prostate, and isn't causing signs or symptoms. If you are an older man or have another medical condition that limits your life expectancy and your prostate cancer isn't causing symptoms or harm, active surveillance may also be a reasonable approach.

How Long Does It Take Prostate Cancer to Develop

2012-10-18T12:40:00.001-07:00

It could take virtual ages for prostate cancer to develope? anywhere from five to ten years, and even more; or it could take between a mere couple of months and two or three years. One of the worst things about prostate cancer is that there are yet many answers that are elusive concerning the malignancy, resulting in several more questions than there are answers to them.

The thing is that the rate of prostate cancer growth and spread varies from man to man, so that one overall clear-cut rule does not exist to govern them all.
However prostate cancer is essentially a slow growing disease, one that could be incident and growing in a patient’s organ for year before its first symptoms and outward signs start to show. In men over the age of 70 with early-stage prostate cancer, the disease often progresses so slowly that they are likely to die of other causes before they even develop prostate cancer symptoms.

This actually is why several oncologists believe that many patients in this age group can forgo surgery or other treatments as long as their condition is regularly monitored ? a treatment option known as watchful waiting.

Another complication that occurs, especially in the instance of microscopic tumors, is that they often grow too slowly to cause symptoms in a man’s lifetime or to affect how long he lives. Consequently, his doctor may do more harm than good by exposing him to a PSA test and other follow-up tests like ultrasound imaging and a biopsy in order to determine if the cancer is there because of his elevated PSA scores.

Stage one prostate cancer remains essentially in the prostate gland and is even undetectable by a DRE; it is the type that has to be there usually for up to three years before it might even graduate to stage two disease. Stage two will be felt by the rectal exam, but it has to be confirmed by a PSA test and then a biopsy. After detection, doctors prefer to watch and wait for a while to determine how progressive or aggressive the carcinoma is.

This watchful waiting may prove healthy for the patient if the disease does not progress before other symptoms of aging overtake him. He would be fortunate to be able to die of other natural causes.
But what are the odds? Usually in about two-thirds of men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer and subscribed to watchful waiting, the disease often starts to advance in a little over two years. Stage three prostate cancer is likely to have been there and undetected for several years, perhaps five. It is indicated by most of the outward signs of prostate cancer ? pain and blood in urination and semen, as well as some pain in other parts of the body.
It is not very long after this (if the disease is not appropriately treated) that stage for sets off, marked by a lot of bone pain, incontinence, and usually paralysis.
This also could take place anywhere from five years after initial diagnosis to ten, or it could be shorter, depending on the aggression of the disease.

How to Prevent Prostate Cancer

2012-10-18T12:38:00.001-07:00

Studies with finasteride and dutasteride, which are typically used to treat men with the noncancerous condition BPH, have shown that these drugs may reduce the chances that a man will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial was one of the largest prostate cancer trials ever and involved more than 18,000 men followed for over a decade. This study showed that finasteride therapy reduced the risk that a man would be diagnosed with prostate cancer by 25%. The study did find a slightly higher rate of aggressive prostate cancers in men who took finasteride, which other studies have suggested may be due to artifact or greater ability to find more aggressive cancers due to a smaller gland size (ie a biopsy needle can more easily hit a cancer in a smaller gland than a larger gland). Given that this agent is well tolerated, current recommendations call for a discussion about the risks and benefits of these agents in the prevention of prostate cancer, for treatment of other conditions, such as BPH.

Diet and lifestyle modifications have also been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer development and progression, and can help men with prostate cancer live longer and better lives.

Top 10 Considerations for Preventing Prostate Cancer

To understand how to prevent prostate cancer, one must first understand what causes it. There are four major factors that influence one's risk for developing prostate cancer.
Age: The average age at diagnosis of prostate cancer in the United States is 69 years and after that age the chance of developing prostate cancer becomes more common than any other cancer in men or women.

Race: African Americans are more likely to develop prostate cancer and have more than twice the risk of dying from it. Conversely, Asian men who live in Asia have the lowest risk; however when they migrate to the west, their risk increases.

Family history: A man with a father or brother who developed prostate cancer has a twofold-increased risk for developing it. This risk is further increased if the cancer was diagnosed at a younger age (less than 55 years of age) or affected three or more family members.

Where you live: The risk of developing prostate cancer for men who live in rural China is 2% and for men in the United States 17%. When Chinese men move to the western culture, their risk increases substantially; men who live north of 40 degrees latitude (north of Philadelphia, Columbus, Ohio, and Provo, Utah) have the highest risk for dying from prostate cancer of any men in the United States – this effect appears to be mediated by inadequate sunlight during three months of the year which reduces vitamin D levels.

The factors above are difficult or impossible to change, however, there are many things that men can do to reduce or delay their risk of developing prostate cancer. Why is prostate cancer so common in the Western culture and much less so in Asia, and why when Asian men migrate to western countries the risk of prostate cancer increases over time? We believe the major risk factor is diet – foods that produce oxidative damage to DNA. What can you do about it to prevent or delay the onset of the disease?

Eat fewer calories or exercise more so that you maintain a healthy weight.
Try to keep the amount of fat you get from red meat and dairy products to a minimum.
Watch your calcium intake.
Do not take supplemental doses far above the recommended daily allowance.
Some calcium is OK, but avoid taking more than 1,500 mg of calcium a day.
Eat more fish – evidence from several studies suggest that fish can help protect against prostate cancer because they have "good fat" particularly omega-3 fatty acids.
Avoid trans fatty acids (found in margarine).
Try to incorporate cooked tomatoes that are cooked with olive oil, which has also been shown to be beneficial, and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower) into many of your weekly meals.
Soy and green tea are also potential dietary components that may be helpful.
Avoid smoking for many reasons.
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
Seek medical treatment for stress, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression.
Treating these conditions may save your life and will improve your survivorship with prostate cancer
What about supplements?
Avoid over-supplementation with megavitamins.

Too many vitamins, especially folate, may “fuel the cancer”, and while a multivitamin is not likely to be harmful, if you follow a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils you likely do not even need a multivitamin.
Relax and enjoy life.

Reducing stress in the workplace and home will improve your survivorship and lead to a longer, happier life.
Finally, eating all of the broccoli in the worlddoes not take away your risk of having prostate cancer right now.

If you are age 50 or over, if you are age 40 or over and African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer, you need more than a good diet can guarantee. You should consider a yearly rectal examination and PSA test, and you should discuss the risks and benefits of these screening procedures with your doctor.

Prostate Cancer

2012-10-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system, which produces a part of the ejaculatory fluids. The cells of this gland can display abnormal growth in certain instances wherein the affected individual is said to suffer from cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer (after lung cancer) in men. It is noted to affect men over the age of 50 years. The highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world is observed in American men (especially African-American men) while the lowest incidence has been noted in Asia and North Africa.1

Causes of prostate cancer

Although the exact cause of prostate cancer has not been identified, several risk factors have been noted to have a role in its occurrence.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

The signs and symptoms noted in individuals with prostate cancer are related to the urinary and reproductive systems in general. These

Diagnosis of prostate cancer
The diagnosis of prostate cancer is based on a careful evaluation of the signs and symptoms

Treatment for prostate cancer

The treatment option selected is based on the age of the individual, size of the tumor and extent of the prostate cancer.

Complications of prostate cancer

The complications of prostate cancer are associated with either the treatment procedures or with the severity of the disorder. Constant back pain and sciatica are the common complications of severe prostate cancer, while impotence and urinary incontinence are the complications associated with treatment.

Prevention of prostate cancer

Although there are no specific steps that could prevent the occurrence of prostate cancer, a few factors such as the diet and lifestyle practices may have a role in preventing prostate cancer. Maintenance of weight within 10% of one’s ideal body mass index (BMI), avoiding consumption of red meat and fatty fish and consuming a diet, which ensures appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals to the body have been found to be helpful to a certain extent.5