Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy Side Effects

Treatments for prostate cancer include radical prostatectomy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation (both external beam and brachytherapy), HIFU, and Cryotherapy.

The treatments for prostate cancer are all associated with varying degrees of side effects. When evaluating treatments to decide which one(s) may be most effective and also suitable for your preferences and lifestyle, one factor that drives that decision is the side effects associated with each treatment approach.

Side Effects of Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy consists primarily of antiandrogens and luteinizing hormone, anabolic steroids therapy, releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists, and in some cases, surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy). Estrogen therapy is rarely used.

    Breast pain and enlargement: Antiandrogens, estrogen, and orchiectomy may result in sensitive and/or painful nipples and/or an increase in breast tissue.
    Cardiovascular events: Continuous estrogen therapy is associated with blood clots, stroke, and other cardiovascular risks.
    Cholesterol changes: Antiandrogens can lower “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein—HDL) when combined with LH-RH treatment. LH-RH treatment alone can significantly increase triglycerides.
    Diarrhea and/or constipation: Antiandrogens can cause these side effects.
    Erectile dysfunction/loss of libido: Antiandrogens, LH-RH agonists, and orchiectomy are associated with erectile dysfunction, while LH-RH agonists can also reduce libido.
    Fatigue: Antiandrogens, LH-RH agonists, and estrogen can all cause fatigue.
    Hair and skin changes: Antiandrogens and LH-RH agonists are associated with hair growth on the head, hair loss on the rest of the body, and dry skin.
    Hot flashes: Antiandrogens, LH-RH agonists, and orchiectomy are associated with hot flashes.
    Osteoporosis: Antiandrogens, LH-RH agonists, and orchiectomy contribute to bone loss. Other factors include a man’s bone health before therapy, the length of hormone therapy, and fracture history.
    Penis/scrotum shrinkage: Any reduction in testosterone can reduce the size of the penis and scrotum.
    Weight and/or belly fat gain: Antiandrogens and LH-RH agonists can contribute to these side effects.

Exercise and Prostate Cancer

University Prostate Center and the VA Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina evaluated 190 men who underwent biopsies for possible prostate cancer. When they looked at the results, and accounted for factors such as age, weight, race, body mass index, PSA, and several others, they found that those who exercised the equivalent of three to six hours of walking per week were less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. More specifically, compared with their more sedentary peers, these men were two-thirds less likely to have a biopsy positive for prostate cancer. In addition, men who exercised the equivalent of only one to three hours of walking each week had an 86 percent lower risk of having an aggressive form of the cancer.

One of the latest studies conducted an 18-year study in which they evaluated 2,705 men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. They found that men who were involved in three or more hours of vigorous exercise had a 61 percent lower risk of prostate cancer-specific death when compared with men who exercised less than one hour each week.  Among men who walked at a normal to brisk pace for more than 90 minutes each week had a 46 percent lower risk of dying from any cause when compared to men who did not walk as much.

Exercise is beneficial not only for helping to prevent prostate cancer, but also for improving quality of life following prostatectomy. In a recent Canadian study, 60 men who were scheduled for radical prostatectomy were interviewed two weeks before and four weeks after surgery regarding their level of physical activity. The researchers found that men who had higher levels of physical activity during the year before their surgery had lesser declines in health-related quality of life both before and after surgery. This finding suggests that declines in health-related quality of life after radical prostatectomy may be reduced or avoided in men who participate in exercise before surgery.

Exercise also appears to help men who undergo external beam radiation for prostate cancer. In a study from the University of Dundee, experts evaluated radiation toxicity data for 65 men who were treated with radiation therapy over a four-week period. Thirty-three men were assigned to a control group and 32 participated in 30 minutes of walking at least three times per week during treatment. Among men who exercised, there was a significant difference in mean toxicity scores regarding rectal side effects when compared with controls, but there was no significant difference regarding bladder side effects. These findings suggest that men who exercise may experience less severe rectal side effects during radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer: Treating Pain and Other Symptoms

If prostate cancer or its therapy is causing pain, there's no need to suffer in silence. Effective treatments are available.


Most of the articles in this section talk about ways to remove or destroy cancer cells or to slow their growth. But it is important to know that having a good quality of life is also an important goal. Be sure to talk to your doctor or nurse about pain or any symptoms that are bothering you. There are ways to treat these. And getting good treatment can help you feel better and allow you to focus on things that are important in your life.

Pain Medicines
Pain medicines work very well. When the drugs are being used as directed to treat cancer pain, you do not need to worry about addiction or dependence. You may have symptoms like tiredness and itching, but these usually go away after you get used to the medicine. Constipation is the most common problem, but there are things you can do to prevent this. Side effects can often be managed by changing the dosage or by adding other medicines.

Bisphosphonates
This is a group of drugs that can help relieve bone pain caused by cancer that has spread to the bones. They may also slow the growth of the cancer cells and strengthen bones in men who are getting hormone treatment.

Bisphosphonates can cause side effects, such as flu-like symptoms and bone pain. Some men have had a very rare, but distressing side effect from these drugs. They have pain in the jaw and their doctors find that part of the jaw bone has died. This can lead to loss of teeth or infections of the jaw bone. Doctors don't know why some people develop these jaw problems or how to prevent them. So far, the only treatment has been to stop the bisphosphonate treatment. Some cancer doctors recommend that patients have a dental check-up and have any tooth or jaw problems treated before they start taking bisphosphonates.

Steroids
Steroids can relieve bone pain and increase appetite for some men.

Radiation Therapy
While radiation therapy can be used as the main treatment for prostate cancer, it can also be used to treat bone pain caused by cancer that has spread to the bone.

Drugs called radiopharmaceuticals are also used for this purpose. This is a group of drugs that have radioactive elements. They are given into a vein. They settle in areas of bones that contain cancer and the radioactive part kills the cancer cells there. About 8 out of 10 prostate cancer patients with bone pain are helped by this treatment. The main side effect is a lowering of blood cell counts. This could increase your risk of getting an infection or bleeding easily.

Common Prostate Cancer Warning Signs

When it comes to prostate cancer, early symptoms and early stages do not go hand in hand. In fact, by the time someone begins to experience prostate cancer warning signs, it has usually progressed to the point where immediate and urgent help is necessary. While most prostate cancer cases are caught by routine blood tests or rectal exams, it is important to listen to your body and speak to a doctor if your body is not responding normally. In fact, most prostate cancer cases are caught by routine blood tests or rectal exams.
Urinary symptoms make up the majority of prostate cancer indicators. These can include a frequent need to urinate, waking up at night to urinate, difficulty starting or holding back urination, a weaker than usual or interrupted urine flow, painful or burning urination, a feeling that your bladder is not completely empty after urinating and, in rare cases, bloody urine. All of these symptoms can be caused by a tumor in the prostate pressing on the urethra, the tube which allows urine to leave your bladder; they can also be caused by other medical conditions, though, so check with your doctor if you think you are experiencing these symptoms.
Reproductive symptoms account for a small portion of prostate cancer warning signs. They can include trouble having an erection and, in rare cases, blood in the semen. This is caused by the presence of cancer in or around the prostate
If prostate cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, it can cause pain, stiffness or swelling to occur in the lower back, hips, pelvis or upper thighs. If the cancer manages to spread to the liver, pain in the abdomen and jaundice (marked by yellowing of the skin) can occur, but this is rare. In extreme, and even rarer cases, the disease can spread to the bones and cause pain that doesn't go away, bone fractures, and spine compression. This is known as Advanced Prostate Cancer.
An alarmingly high number of men are living with prostate cancer and have no symptoms at all, highlighting the importance of going for regular medical check-ups. If you or someone you know has any warning signs of prostate cancer, don't wait for an annual appointment to ask for a test or exam. Paying attention to the early symptoms and acting on them can help ensure the swiftest treatment with anabolic steroids is possible for prostate cancer.

Massaging the Prostate to Check for Prostate Cancer

Massaging the prostate gland is used both as a diagnostic tool to check for prostate cancer and treatment for some conditions of the prostate, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Many men are not aware of the location and purpose of a gland that plays such an important role in male sexual health. When it comes to massaging the prostate gland, those men do not know what to do and how to do it.

The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It partially surrounds the ureter. Its function is to secrete fluid that makes up part of the male ejaculate. This fluid contains nutrients to nourish semen and help neutralize female vaginal secretions. In addition, the prostate can be a source of sexual pleasure for men when it is stimulated; the prostate contributes to ejaculation.

There are several conditions which may affect the prostate. Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate, which often results in difficult urination. Benign prostatic hypertrophy is a benign enlargement of the prostate gland which commonly affects men as they age. The most serious condition of the prostate, however, is prostate cancer.

During a prostate exam, a physician will examine a prostate with a massage. A patient can either stand and bend over with slightly spread legs or on his side on an examining table.  The physician will insert a lubricated, gloved finger gently into the rectum. A reflex will cause the rectum to squeeze closed; this sensation will pass. When the patient is relaxed, the finger is advanced until the prostate is felt against the front wall of the rectum. The procedure is brief and may be mildly uncomfortable. Relaxing during the procedure will ease discomfort.

By palpating the prostate in this manner, the physician can judge its size and shape. An enlarged and tender prostate may indicate an inflamed prostate or benign hypertrophy of the gland. An irregular or nodular contour may indicate possible prostate cancer; further tests may be ordered if prostate cancer is suspected upon exam.

Physicians will sometimes recommend that patients massage their own prostate in order to relieve the pressure that swelling of the prostate may cause. The steps to massage the prostate are as follows:

    Assume a comfortable position. You can either stand and lean against an object at a comfortable height or lay on your side with your knees flexed.
    Use a liberal amount of lubrication on the index finger of your dominant hand.
    Gently insert the finger into the rectum. The prostate gland will be felt as a bulge in the rectal wall towards the front of the body.
    Gently massage the gland, applying no more pressure than you would apply to rubbing your eye. Stop immediately if any pain occurs. Expression of seminal fluid is normal (and is the goal). However, if blood is present, discontinue massage immediately.
Prostate massage can be beneficial in some conditions. However, care should be taken not to damage the delicate tissues of the gland. Massaging the prostate can be important in both diagnosis and treatment of certain conditions of the prostate, such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Before commencing prostate massage, a physician should be cnsulted to ensure there are no contraindications to the procedure.

Obesity Complicates The Detection Of Prostate Cancer!

According to a new study in the presence of overweight or obese patient standard methods of screening for prostate cancer may not detect dangerous pathology. This is the risk that the doctor simply overlooking, the cancer early, dooming the patient's suffering.

For the 2001 - 2004 years, scientists from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio studied 2,779 men without prostate cancer. As it turned out than obese men, the lower the content of his blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a reliable marker for prostate cancer. Typically, the PSA level less than 4.0 units, and this means that there is no cancer.

Further worsens the situation is the fact that prostate cancer in men occurs more thick malignant. It is quite possible that this is due to increased malignancy is more recent discovery of the tumor. PSA for prostate cancer in obese patients with an average of 30% lower. The researchers hope that the study will make doctors more closely examine obese patients for prostate cancer, especially with regard to the interpretation of PSA testing in the blood. Thus, obese men sensitivity of detection of PSA in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is reduced. So, the doctor should never rely solely on technology, one can not "overlook" this pathology.

Antigen concentration in the blood is determined in the analysis produced by normal prostate cells. The higher the PSA, the more likely that cancer cells divide uncontrollably, and this is the first step to cancer, and he may have actually. The diagnosis of prostate cancer can not be placed solely on the basis of indicators of PSA, as recommended by the American oncologists and urologists need biopsy tissue cancer.

In addition, the issue of cancer, "the President's cancer", so it is called by the people, must take account of these previous studies, that is, even with normal PSA levels in 15% of cases could be cancer, and in 66% of these patients, an aggressive malignant form.

The scientists who conducted the study, do not explain why obese patients with prostate cancer, the PSA level below. Most likely, this is due to the fact that obese men produce more estrogen, which suppresses testosterone and thus affects the cells that produce the antigen.

Dangers of Chronic Prostatitis

Most frequently prostatitis develops in chronic form during several years without showing itself. In some cases patient may experience severe pains, unpleasant sensations in crotch spreading to back, genitals or rectum.

Periodically is observed frequent, painful and sometimes difficult urination, slight discharge from the urethra.

Unfortunately, at this stage most males do not pay attention to these signs. How wrong they are! The danger of chronic prostatitis is its spread via urinary system which may result in development of cystitis and pyelonephritis.

Besides this,  prostatitis may result in such complications as vesiculitis (inflammation of seminal vesicles) or orchiepididymitis (inflammation of tescticles and epididymis) which may lead to male infertility.

Besides this, inflammations in prostate gland may cause adenoma or prostate cancer.

After some time prostatitis causes problems with erection. This is associated with involvement into inflammatory process of nerves responsible for erectile function which run via prostate gland.

Five Most Common Cancers In Men

Cancer presents a real danger for men's health. However, suspicions about the existing danger and knowing to recognize its major symptoms, men get the chance to live a longer life.

1. Prostate cancer
Unfortunately, on early stages prostate cancer does not show itself, therefore if during digital rectal examination your doctor found that prostate gland is increased, it is necessary to make blood test to find out the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA test) and if necessary to make biopsy.

2. Lung cancer
Its major symptom is persisting long-lasting cough, blood in cough spit, pains in chest that are not connected with movements.

3. Bowel cancer
Blood in feces is the sign that you should go to the doctor. Sometimes its cause may be hemorrhoid and diverticulitis and sometimes it may be precancerous polypus. Anyway it is necessary to perform colonoscopy.

4. Bladder cancer
Early symptom of this cancer may be blood in urine.

5. Lymphadenoma
In case lymph glands are increased on the neck, arm-pits, groin and if nodes do not go away during a week it is necessary to seek doctor's advice. Another cause to worry is sudden weight loss or pains in  lymph glands after drinking alcohol.

Men With Healthy Cholesterol Levels Have Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

Scientific research over and over again proves that modern doctor's recommendations about healthy lifestyle are not an empty word. Everyone knows that high cholesterol level in blood increases risks for cardio-vascular diseases. It turned out that it is dangerous also for prostate gland.

Workers of Johns Hopkins University made a research in which participated 5586 males over 55 years old. The study started in 1993 – 1996 and since then prostate cancer was found in 1251 people. In people whose cholesterol level exceeded the norm, risks for aggressive type of prostate cancer was 60% higher.

It should be mentioned that normal cholesterol level influences the appearing of prostate cancer but reduces the occurrence of most dangerous cancer forms.
Certainly, other factors could influence those results, many of which are connected with increased cholesterol. These factors are weight, bad habits such as smoking, genetic predisposition to prostate cancer, nutritional habits.

However, possible relation “cholesterol – prostate cancer” should be taken into consideration. Normal cholesterol level is better than its increased levels. Remember that lower cholesterol levels are healthy for people.

Those results were obtained as far back as in 2006 and scientists observed that taking medications lowering cholesterol level reduces risks for development of dangerous forms of prostate cancer.

The magazine “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention” published results of other study performed in American national cancer institute which showed that low cholesterol in men reduces by 15% reduces frequency of all cancer cases.

It is not improbable that lowering of cholesterol levels with the help of modern medications helps to prevent and treat cancer but here are necessary some additional studies. Benefit of low-calorie diet consisting of vegetables, fruits and cereals is known to humanity for centuries and it still works greatly for modern men.

Who Is At Risk For Prostate Cancer?

Prostate gland is most important organ in each male, therefore prostate cancer is most awful of male cancers. One man in ten among those diseased with cancers die from prostate cancer. Mortality in men under 45 is not significant – just 3 cases per million, instead, in men over 75 the mortality increases 400 times and cancer is found in 130 cases per 100 000 men.

In Russia prostate cancer occurs two times more rarely than in the world. However, the number increases each year. The risks are different for different males. Besides age, an important role plays heredity, for example, in Asia and Eastern Europe is not so widely-spread than in USA and Scandinavia.

In some families risks are much higher which means that men whose relatives had prostate cancer should start examinations much earlier than in 75 years old. For instance, a man may make PSA test which helps to detect prostate specific antigen. However, remember that this method provides many false positive and many false-negative results and is informative only in combination with other methods.

Such factors as bad habits and bad ecological situation increase risks for prostate cancer. And most sad finding is that in men with high sexual activity the prostate cancer occurs more frequently.

Not a single male would be happy to hear the diagnosis “prostate cancer” but this diagnosis not always is a death sentence. Doctor and patient should know how would behave crazy tumor. Will it grow rapidly so that it would require last extreme measures? Or it grows slowly which allows to use medical treatment which helps to lower the risks? The answer may depend on condition of tumor vessels.

Like any tissue it requires nutrition and oxygen, therefore on the blood supply of tumor influences on its development. Studies made by several American cancer centers on more than 500 men with prostate cancer found an important regularity.

Aggressive and deadly tumors of prostate gland usually have thin irregular and primitively arranged vascular netting while slowly growing tumors it has a common look. The probability of metastasis or death is six times higher if vessels are thicker and 17 times higher in case of extra irregular vascular netting.

Prostate Cancer Prevention

 Three main ways to maintain prostate gland healthy:
 - healthy diet
 - physical activity
 - regular examinations of prostate gland

Healthy diet may reduce risks for prostate gland diseases, especially cancer and adenoma. Some vegetative products help to prevent and control adenoma and prostate cancer. There is no need to consume these products daily but it would be good to have them as often as possible.

1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain strong antioxidant called lycopene which makes tomatoes red. Tomatoes, food made of them and other products containing lycopene reduce the risks for prostate cancer. Lycopene from food made of tomatoes (soups, sauces, ketchup) protects against cancer much better than  lycopene containing in fresh tomatoes and tomato juice.

2. Soybean products
Isoflavone found in soy helps to maintain stable rate of sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. Adenoma and cancer are stimulated by too active testosterone, thus soy products reduce risks for cancer development.

3. Green tea
Green tea contains a substance called Epigallocatechin-3-gallate similar to polyphenols found in vegetables and red wine. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is an antitumour agent which blocks fermentation necessary for tumors development.

4. Cruciferous vegetables
Vegetables of  Cruciferous family (ordinary cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cow cabbage, mustard) contain substances inhibiting action of agents causing cancerous growths.

5. Garlic
Garlic contains large amount of sulphur which increases immunity and inhibits cancerous growths because it helps to produce in the body enzymes which block growths of tumors.

Most harmful products that cause development of prostate cancer are ice cream, frozen cream, sour cream, cold rich milk.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors You Can Control

Environment
To risk group for prostate cancer belong men who occupy with particular physical labor: rural workers, industrial workers, mechanicians. In men of other professions prostate cancer occurs rarely. Researchers say that that the environment is responsible for prostate cancer development and not food and lifestyle.

Food
Excess of fatty foods, especially saturated ones, may increase risks for prostate diseases. Studies show that in men who consume too many fats prostate cancer occurs two times more often. Too caloric food also increases risks for prostate cancer.

Scientists claim that a man may reduce risks for prostate cancer by 50% when he reduces consumption of fats by 30%. Substances found in soy products, fruits and vegetables may reduce risks for prostate diseases in men.

Sexual activity
Man who had sexually transmitted diseases has higher risks to get prostate cancer. A man who suffered once in his life from a sexually transmitted disease get diseased with prostate cancer two times more frequently than those who do not.

The more sexual partners a man has till 64 years old, the higher is risk for prostate cancer development in him. Statistics shows that when a male has two or more female sex partners during his life, he has higher risks for prostate cancer than those who has one partner. If a male had more than 30 partners during his life he may have a severe form of prostate disease in his older age.

There exists a connection between sexual activity and prostate cancer incidence – in sexually passive men the rate of incidence is three times highrer. Evidently, frequent ejaculation (5 times a week) prevents from gathering of cancerogenes into prostate gland. However, here the talk is about masturbation and sex with permanent partner. Remember that frequent change of partners increases risks for sexually transmitted diseases.

Smoking
Smoking increases risks for prostate cancer among young men. Among men under 55 who got their prostate gland removed were three times more smokers than among younger men with prostate cancer.

Hormones
Big amounts of dehydroepiandrosterone may lead to prostate gland increase and malignant change of tumor.  Dehydroepiandrosterone supplements take to slowdown aging, boost immune system.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Uncontrolled factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia development.

1) Age
Risk for development of adenoma and prostate cancer increases with age. Someone with “black humor” said that each male who lives a longer life gets diseased with prostate adenoma. Prostate cancer in older men occurs frequently too. Around 70% of men with diagnosis “prostate cancer” are over 65.

2) Ethnic group
Studies show that people with black skin are more prone to prostate diseases than representatives of other races. Moreover, black people get diseased with prostate cancer in younger age and often have its severe forms. However, representatives of yellow race rarely get diseased with prostate cancer. Representatives of Middle East Semitic group (ethnic Arabs and ethnic Jews) show the same incidence frequency as representatives of white race of Central European origin.

3) Family history
Family medical history do influence on probability of prostate adenoma appearing. Among men aged 40 - 55 with benign prostatic hyperplasia, most had inherited gene which made them predisposed to the disease. However, the gene does not make the disease inevitable, but it increases risks for it.

4) Mass of bones
Mass ratio of bone tissue also may influence on risks for prostate cancer. Intensive studies that lasted 30 years showed that in men with bigger mass ratio of bones prostate cancer occurs more frequently. However, it is not known yet the causes of this correlation.

Prostate Cancer Myths Revealed

Myth 1. Men with prostate cancer do die but not of it
In fact, each 6th male gets diseased with prostate cancer and each 35th dies of it. With some forms of cancer a male may live for years, however, remember that prostate cancer is second disease among cancers which ends up with death.

Myth 2. There is no need to undergo examination because specialists are not sure in its effectiveness
In fact, main aim of examination is to detect the disease at its early stage when the treatment is still effective. There do exist two methods of examination: PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test and digital rectal examination. Specialists do recommend to make both of them.

Normally, small amounts of prostate specific antigen are found in blood. PSA rate in blood do increases in prostate cancer, prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Like most tests, PSA test not provides 100% accuracy of diagnosis. In some cases is performed examination with the help of invasive methods such biopsy of prostate gland. On the other hand, PSA test results may be normal even if male has prostate cancer.

Since 1990 when PSA test was introduced in clinical practice, the mortality from prostate cancer was reduced. However, not all specialists think that PSA test is the cause of mortality lowering. Up to now do not stop discussions about the necessity of monitoring health of all males with the help of PSA test. However, men over 50 are recommended to make PSA test. In case man has in his family males (father, brother) who had prostate cancer, he must start examinations at 45 years old.

Myth 3. Man becomes impotent  after prostate gland removal
In fact, prostatectomy is the surgical removal of prostate gland damaged by cancer. Sometimes nerves that control erections may be affected. At first months after surgery most men face different forms of erectile dysfunction. It depends on male age, erection before surgery and way of surgical intervention how long this dysfunction will persist. Surgery that helps to avoid damage of nerves do reduces risks for erectile dysfunction development. If needed, erection may be maintained with injections into penis and special devices.

Myth 4. All men after prostatectomy do suffer from involuntary urination
In fact, involuntary urination is one of side effects of surgical removal of prostate gland. In most men it clears up after several weeks or months after surgery. According to statistics, in 5 years after surgical intervention about 1\3 of men suffer from stress-inducing involuntary urination when laughing and coughing. Serious problems with involuntary urination occur only in 5% of cases. Risk for involuntary urination lowers when surgery is performed by experienced specialists in large cancer centers.

Best Food For Prostate Health

Studies show that healthy diet helps to maintain prostate gland healthy. Diet rich with nutrients reduces risks for development of prostate gland diseases including prostate cancer. Although healthy diet is not a cure-all solution, it may help to prevent and treat ailments connected with prostate gland.

Vegetables and fruits
Fruits and vegetables contain a large number of antioxidants which help to prevent ailments and fight them. Consumption of different fruits on regular basis is a very important factor to maintain prostate gland health. Sparrow-grass, green beans and greens contain chlorophyll, a very powerful nutrient necessary for prostate health.  One more important nutrient – lycopene – may be found in red berries, papaya fruits, tomatoes and melon. Citrus fruits, broccoli, apples and cabbage contain an antioxidant called quercetin which is recommended for prostate health, and generally speaking, whole cabbage family are vitally important for prostate gland health.

Whole grains
Whole grains contain a good many nutrients including fiber, which helps to maintain general body health, improves prostate condition and boosts body ability to maintain normal weight. Studies made in Medical Center of University of Maryland showed that maintaining normal weight helps to avoid prostate cancer  which occupies third place among cancers leading to death in men. Replace processed carbohydrates with whole-wheat bread, pasta and rice.

“Healthy” fats
Specialists say that it is critically needed to keep to a diet with a little amount of saturated fats. Replace red meat and fried foods with vegetable oils (olive oil, nuts, seeds). Fat fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna) contains Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids needed for the body. To satisfy body needs it is enough to eat 100 – 150 grams of such fish twice a week or take supplements.

Legumes
Legumes and soybeans contain phytoestrogen which helps to prevent prostate gland cancer. Legumes are perfect source of protein and fiber.

What Are the Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer?

Existence of genetic predisposition for prostate cancer is confirmed by existence of a specific gene responsible for synthesis of atypical cells.

Normally, the activity of this gene is suppressed, but in adverse conditions it is activated. Failure of control over activity of this gene has a hereditary nature of transmission and the more frank it is, the more relatives in their younger age (under 50 years old) accurately have or had prostate cancer. This risk factor seven times increases risks for prostate cancer.

Metabolic syndrome, that appears on the back of obesity, also may be a cause of prostate cancer. As a result, may appear insulin resistance which leads not only to type 2 diabetes, but also to intense production of androgenes (regulation may be broken in hypophysis and hypothalamus, atrabiliary capsules and testes). Incidence of this syndrome increases with age.

Such bad habit as smoking and also harmful work on the noxious manufacturing may lead to numerous mutations in prostate gland cells. Here most mutagenic activity is found in cadmium.

There is no particular race that is more predisposed to prostate cancer than others. Studies showed that in prostate cancer big role plays not race but ecological situation in place of residence of the man, and efficiency of diagnostics.

A good many causes leading to atypical regeneration of prostate gland cells do not allow to exclude someone from risk group, therefore each male should see the urologist regularly and undergo PSA tests, especially after 40 – 50 years old.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

Modern diagnostic techniques help to detect more patients with prostate cancer at early stage.

Among men with oncological diseases this pathology is most common, and 10% cases of cancer end with death. Risk of malignant changes in prostate tissues are connected with male age.

Most cases of prostate cancer occurs in males over 75. Prostate cancer has lasting symptom-free course, therefore more than 40% males aged 40 -50 are found accidentally when patient consults the doctor about other diseases.

Though cancer is a very common disease among older men, however causes of prostate cancer are not known today.

It was revealed that for appearing of malignant growth is required combination of degenerative and regenerative processes caused by chronic inflammations, dystrophy, trauma, chronic diseases.

It was proved that chronic prostatitis, caused usually by untreated inflammations in pelvic organs, is a true precancerous condition on the back of which often appears epithelial cells neoplasia.

Male sex hormones encourage growth and development of prostate gland cells. On the ground of this there was proposed a theory of formation of atypical prostate cells with hypersecretion of androgens.

It is established that amount of androgens in blood increase with age and it has its explanation. The number of different diseases leading to breakdown of androgens synthesis control also increase with age.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Reveal of prostate cancer at early stage helps to perform radical prostatectomy (the surgery is performed in males under 70 years old and ensures 10-15-year survival rate). At early stage, growth has small size and thus nerve net around prostate is not damaged, which helps half of patients have normal sex life in future.

Also successfully are used prostate interstitial irradiation and gamma-ray teletherapy. In small tumors is effectively used cryodestruction (destruction of tumor with liquid nitrogen) in combination with hormonal therapy.

Radiotherapy is indicated for older people with great development of cancer or is used in cases when patient has other internal diseases which prevents surgical interventions. Radiotherapy is used when patient wants to save his sexual function.

Tumors with metastasis on the terminal stage cannot be treated, therefore patients get treatment directed on their condition improvement. For that purpose is used hormonal therapy, which ensures 1,5-year survival rate in 80% cases (occurs involution of tumor, pains in bones disappear, the rate of specific cell marker called prostate specific antigen is normalized).

Testes removal may be performed in case of high risk of cardiovascular life-threatening diseases development  Other methods of treatment include chemical castration (administration of substances that lower testosterone rate) or administration of antiandrogens.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Tests

Diagnosis of early prostate gland damage remains complicated. Early stages of prostate cancer course without symptoms and cancer may be found only after microscopic examination of prostate tissue which was removed for adenoma suspicion.

As a diagnostic marker is used prostate-specific antigen found in the blood plasma. False-positive results are not excluded, therefore are studied rates of antigen in the blood during one year, rates of bound and free antigens and age norms. Great significance has digital rectal examination.

Tumors which grow within prostate gland area are felt in form of typical nodes quite well. Unfortunately, only tenth part of cases may be treated because in pelvic lymph glands frequently are developed metastasis which cannot be found during digital rectal examination. Transrectal ultrasound of prostate helps to reveal cancer stage.

In most cases prostate cancer diagnosis is made at advanced stages. Frequently diagnosis is made for the second time during examination of patients who complain on bone pains. Thus when causes of such pains are examined, doctors find metastasis in bones. More than third of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer for the first time have invasion of cancer into nearby anatomical structures (neck of urinary bladder, seminal vesicles) which makes it impossible to use radical surgical treatment. Here laboratory tests show hyperactivity of acid phosphatase.

In patients with growths invasions into pelvic bones, lymph nodes, liver and lungs (in about 50% cases) acid phosphatase is 80% hyperactive. Activity of  acid phosphatase is examined before rectal examination and prostate massage (increase of this indicant in male blood may be observed for 1 – 2 days). For diagnosis confirmation is made needle biopsy of prostate.

Radioisotope scanning of bones and X-ray radiography help to find metastasis in bones. To find metastasis and cancer invasion in nearby organs are used computer tomography of pelvic area, intravenous pyelogram, X-ray examination.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Major histological grade of prostate cancer is adenocarcinoma. In most cases the disease at its early stages courses without symptoms.

Then appear different urination disorders such as frequent uriesthesia (especially at night time) which leads to increase of urine amount at night time in comparison with daytime. Are possible also urinary retention, uroclepsia and blood in urine.

In some cases the number of day and night urinations may achieve up to 15- 20 times (the norm is 3 -4 times at daytime and one time at night) which are followed by strong urges and pains.

When growth invades seminal vesicles, male may experience problems with potency. When growth becomes large, male may experience retention of feces and pains during bowel movements.

Growth of regional metastasis due to lymph movement breakdown may result in inpuffiness of lower limbs, penis and scrotum..

When metastasis appear in bony tissue (pelvic bones, lumbar spine, femoral bone) male feels pains. When metastasis are spread on liver, symptoms which patient experiences depend on their number and size.

In case of singular metastasis, liver is increased and patient feels dull pains in right side, and in case of multiple metastasis occurs icterus and liver failure.

In case of secondary growth in lungs may appear dry cough, mainly at night which becomes painful with cancer progression, also may appear purulent sputum and blood spitting. Most common symptom are pains in chest (dull or acute) and shortness of breath.