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