| I recently attended a meeting of physicians, | | | | Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery |
| surgeons, research scientists and concerned | | | | are the three most common approaches to |
| individuals for the Pacific Prostate Cancer | | | | treatment of prostate cancer. The selection |
| Conference. Representatives of Oregon Health | | | | of which method is used depends largely upon |
| Sciences University spoke about their | | | | the extent of the disease. With the surgical |
| state-of-the-art prostate cancer research | | | | removal of the prostate, there is an |
| department. Every man reading this article | | | | increased risk of osteoporosis similar to |
| can benefit from the advances made in | | | | that of menopause in women. This problem is |
| prevention, detection and treatment of this | | | | most often handled by using hormone |
| disease. | | | | replacement therapy postoperatively. Calcium |
| | | | and Vitamin D supplements have also been |
| Let's begin with a brief review of our | | | | shown to be helpful in reducing this type of |
| anatomy. The prostate gland is located | | | | bone loss. |
| around the bottom portion of a man's bladder | | | | |
| and is positioned behind the pubic bone and | | | | Natural measures for the prevention of |
| in front of the rectum. The prostate's | | | | prostate cancer include chemoprevention, |
| primary function is to produce most of the | | | | changes in diet and lifestyle, and hormonal |
| fluids in semen. Tiny ducts within the | | | | prevention. Chemoprevention is the use of |
| prostate convey this fluid to the urethra, | | | | specific natural or man-made drugs, vitamins, |
| the channel that drains urine from the | | | | or other agents in order to reverse, |
| bladder. This fluid is then released through | | | | suppress, or prevent cancer growth. Several |
| the penis during ejaculation. | | | | agents, including difluoromethylornithine |
| | | | (DFMO), isoflavonoids, selenium, vitamins D |
| Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in | | | | and E, and lycopene have shown potential |
| American men. It's estimated that by age 50, | | | | benefit according to studies. Further tests |
| up to 1 in 4 men have some cancerous cells in | | | | are needed to confirm this. |
| the prostate gland. By age 80, the ratio | | | | |
| increases to 1 in 2. So, your risk of | | | | The herb, saw palmetto, was once thought to |
| prostate cancer increases as you age. The | | | | be the best natural supplement for prevention |
| average age at diagnosis is 72. | | | | of prostate cancer. Recent studies lead |
| | | | researchers to believe saw palmetto to be |
| Prostate cancer also is the second leading | | | | much less powerful in its preventive effect. |
| cause of cancer deaths in American men. Yet | | | | |
| unlike other cancers, you're more likely to | | | | A diet high in fat, especially animal fat, |
| die with prostate cancer than you are to die | | | | may be associated with an increased risk of |
| from it. On average, an American man has | | | | prostate cancer. So, reducing red meat, |
| about a 30 percent risk of having prostate | | | | cheese and other dairy products, salad |
| cancer in his lifetime, but only about a 3 | | | | dressings, and gravies is a good step. |
| percent risk of dying of the disease. | | | | Increasing the dietary intake of fruits and |
| | | | vegetables has been associated with a reduced |
| The risk of prostate cancer is dramatically | | | | risk of prostate cancer in some studies. |
| higher among blacks, intermediate among | | | | Adding soy products such as tofu and soy milk |
| whites, and lowest among native Japanese. | | | | can be helpful in regulating hormonal |
| However, this increase in risk may be due to | | | | balance. Exercise, even just plain old |
| factors other than those associated with | | | | walking, has been shown to reduce the |
| race. Studies have shown a link between | | | | incidence of prostate and of practically all |
| levels of testosterone and prostate cancer | | | | other cancers. |
| risk, with black men having the highest | | | | |
| levels. | | | | Since prostate cancer has a link to |
| | | | testosterone levels, studies are underway to |
| Symptoms of prostate cancer include frequent | | | | discover the role of certain drugs, such as |
| urination, inability to urinate, blood in | | | | finasteride, that reduce the amount of male |
| urine or semen, or painful ejaculation. | | | | hormone as preventive agents for prostate |
| Frequent low back pain, burning urination or | | | | cancer. |
| a weak urine flow are also very common. | | | | |
| | | | If you think you have experienced any of the |
| There is another condition of the prostate | | | | symptoms listed in this article, check with |
| known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH. | | | | your health care provider. Early detection |
| This is basically an enlarged prostate with | | | | of prostate cancer is very important in |
| no cancerous lesions. Symptoms for this | | | | managing its damaging effects. |
| condition are similar in many respects to | | | | |
| prostate cancer. For example, | | | | If you would like more information on any |
| Prostate-Specific Antigen or PSA levels can | | | | topic discussed in this column or to suggest |
| become elevated in both BPH and prostatic | | | | ideas for an article, you can contact me my |
| cancer. | | | | website. |
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