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What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland. It means that a cancerous
tumor has been found in the prostate. Like most cancers, it follows a natural progression if untreated, starting with a small
tumor that will grow, and ultimately spread beyond the prostate (metastasize) to cause death.
Prostate cancer tends to be a slow developing disease, giving plenty of time for treatment if caught early
enough.
In its earliest stages, prostate cancer may only be suspected by an elevated PSA test. The tumor may not yet
be palpable by a digital rectal exam (DRE). At this stage, not all tumors cause an elevated PSA, and do go undetected.
Also in the early stage, a prostate tumor may grow large enough to be palpable during a digital rectal exam,
but not affect the PSA levels.
This is why it is necessary to be screened with both the PSA test and the DRE.
What to take from this article is that annual screening with both the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the PSA
test maximizes your chances of catching prostate cancer early, so it can be treated with the least amount of effect on your
life.
What are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Prosrate Cancer is known as a silent killer because often, prostate cancer has
no symptoms, especially in early stages.
Some prostate cancer victims never experience any symptoms or problems from the disease. It can be slow growing and if
the man is up in age, it may not be the thing that kills. However, some prostate cancer is a faster, more aggressive form
that kills relatively quickly.
The first symptoms that a man may experience is when the cancer grows significantly in the prostate gland putting pressure
on the urethra causing stricture.
When this happens, symptoms include:
- a decreased, weak stream of urine;
- feeling like your bladder never empties;
- dribbling, before and/or after urinating;
- rarely, pain during orgasm, or blood in the urine.
These symptoms are all similar to other, more common prostate problems including prostatitis and BPH (benign prostatic
hypertrophy). More advanced prostate cancer can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body--especially bones.
The most common bones where prostate cancer spread are in the lower back, hips, or pelvis. This often causes the affected
bones to become tender and painful.
Prostate cancer risk increases significantly with age, making it necessary to be screened as recommended.
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Top 10 Ways to Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk
1. Get Screened for Prostate Cancer
Nothing is going to hedge your bets against dying of prostate cancer than if you get screeened as recommended
with a PSA test and a digital rectal exam...
2. Lycopene--Eat Cooked Tomatoes!
One dietary supplement which seems to dramatically reduce prostate cancer risk is lycopene, especially found
in diets heavy in cooked tomatoes. Get 30 mg. of lycopene a day from dietary sources. Read about how to easily get your daily
dose of lycopene.
3. Selenium
Research studies have shown the cancer risk reducing power of selenium... but how much should you take? Research
has shown that total intake (diet and supplement) of 200 mg/day can reduce your prostate cancer risk.
4. Zyflamend
Zyflamend is an olive oil based herbal supplement which has been shown by several studies to dramatically reduce
prostate cancer risk and severity.
5. Green Tea
Several studies have found that between six and 15 cups of green tea per day can drastically reduce your chance
of developing prostate cancer. Although that is a lot of green tea, there are supplements that seem to offer the same protective
effect.
6. Aspirin
An aspirin a day has been proven to be good for the heart, but also for the prostate? 81 to 325 mg/day seem
to lower risk, and other NSAIDs (naproxen or ibuprofen) seem to offer protection as well.
7. Regular Sexual Activity including Masturbation
Several well based research studies have demonstrated that regular sexual activity that includes ejaculation
is good for prostate health and reduces cancer risk...
8. Red Wine
Several studies suggest that four to eight glasses of red wine per week spread out over several sessions
will lower your prostate cancer risk...
9. Vitamin D and Sunlight
Some scientists believe that the safest way to get the vitamin D levels high enough to lower prostate cancer
risk is through supplementation. Others are recommending regular sun exposure to achieve those levels. Please note: Vitamin
D in very high dosages can cause hypercalcemia and kidney damage.
10. Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto is a supplement that has been proven to reduce the effects of benign prostate hyperplasia, and
possibly the risk of prostate cancer. Recommendation: 160 mg twice a day in pill form.
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Zyflamend
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