Prostate Cancer May Not Need Treatment

Thanks to advanced screening techniques, millions of men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Back in 1986, a prostate-cancer specific antigen (PSA) blood test gave doctors a new way to check for tumors and catch them relatively early. But not all of them may need aggressive treatment. New research from the VA Outcomes Group in Vermont indicates that more than a million men may be getting treatment for tumors that are growing too slowly to do any harm. Prostate cancer kills more than two hundred and fifty thousand men around the world each year — it is one of the … Continue reading →

Statins May Help Fight Prostate Cancer

Several recent studies took a look at how cholesterol-fighting statins could help men with prostate cancer… and the results are encouraging. A study from the University of Toronto found that men who took statins prior to prostate surgery had a thirty percent reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence. The researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of statins may be key. More research is necessary to determine the optimal dose and length of time a person needs to take statins in order to benefit. Would taking statins after prostate removal be as beneficial? They don’t know just yet. A study … Continue reading →

Treating Mild BHP at Home

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a gradual enlargement of the prostate that can put pressure on the urethra. That pressure leads to increased urination. Often, BPH is treated with medication that relaxes inflamed muscles. Some cases are treated with surgery that removes part of the prostate. If your benign prostatic hyperplasia is mild or moderate — the symptoms do not bother you or interfere with daily activities — you may be able to treat your BPH at home. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see your doctor regularly to check symptoms and see if your BPH has worsened! But you may … Continue reading →

Do Men Get Hot Flashes Too?

Believe it or not, some men can be just as troubled by hot flashes as some women. For women, hot flashes usually come in association with menopause. Menopause is when estrogen levels drop in a woman’s body, causing all sorts of changes. For men, hot flashes are associated with androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Prostate cell growth is stimulated by testosterone. If you reduce hormone levels or block hormone action in the body, it can help make radiation therapy for prostate cancer more effective. As much as eighty percent of men who receive androgen deprivation therapy end up experiencing … Continue reading →

Veggies Can Help Reduce The Risk of Prostate Problems

A study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found that eating lots of vegetables can reduce your risk of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Benign prostate hyperplasia is a non-cancerous condition. The prostate becomes enlarged, causing problems with urine flow. There are three common causes of prostate problems: BPH, prostate cancer, and prostatitis. The prostate study tracked more than thirty-two thousand male health care workers, and began in 1986. The average age at the start of the study was 51, though participants ranged in age from 46 to 70. The first phase of the study was a … Continue reading →

Talking To Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can be frightening. The shock of the doctor’s words may make you feel unsettled, nervous, or angry. You might not think to ask certain important questions — I know my brain shuts down when I hear the word “cancer”. The following list of questions may help you talk to your doctor about prostate cancer and what happens next. How reliable are the tests that gave you this diagnosis? What tests were used? A digital rectal exam? A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test? What stage is this cancer in? What does that mean — is it … Continue reading →

Botox May Relieve Prostate Problems

You’ve heard about Botox being used cosmetically, but a recent study indicates that Botox may be useful for treating an enlarged prostate gland in men! The study was funded by Allergan, the drug company that makes Botox. And the results are encouraging! Botox injections into the prostate gland eased symptoms in three-quarters of men in the study! Researchers from the United States and Taiwan are excited about the results. A doctor from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said that “Botox could represent a simple, safe, and effective treatment for enlarged prostate.” Millions of men in the United States suffer … Continue reading →

Calculate Your Prostate Cancer Risk

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cancer killer in men. An estimated one out of every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. More than thirty thousand men die from prostate cancer in the United States each year. Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio have developed a prostate cancer risk calculator to help predict a man’s odds of developing prostate cancer. The research team believes their risk calculator can give a better look at the odds of developing prostate cancer than … Continue reading →

Natural Remedies for Prostate Problems

It’s almost unavoidable, men: as you age, you will probably experience some issues thanks to an enlarged prostate. Don’t panic. An enlarged prostate doesn’t automatically mean prostate cancer; you may have an infection (or prostatitis) or just a natural enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia). The main symptom of prostate issues is increasingly frequent overnight bathroom trips. If you are waking up a lot more than you used to, you may want to talk to your doctor about a prostate check-up. You may be able to ease some of your prostate symptoms with a combination of nettle and saw palmetto. Both are … Continue reading →

Prostate Health

Okay, gentlemen… time to talk about a somewhat delicate subject: prostate health. Think about how many times you got up last night to hit the bathroom. Have you been waking up more frequently for bathroom visits lately? You may need a prostate check. Your prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut that is pretty important to the reproductive system. It sits under your bladder, which is why you get up to use the bathroom a hundred times a night when the gland is inflamed. If you are experiencing prostate problems, don’t feel like you’re alone. Approximately fifty … Continue reading →