Prostrate problems and Remedies

A large number of men over the age of 50 have suffered prostate health problems. The prostate gland is as big as a chestnut and is located at the base of the bladder in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds the urethra, which serves to dispense urine. Problems happen when the prostate enlarges or inflames,, resulting in the impairment of urination, causing intense pain. Those symptoms may be caused by non-cancerous prostate enlargement, ordinarily affecting aging men, called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This condition was formerly known as prostatism. Other reasons for prostate problems may be infection or possibly a cancerous tumor.

What is unfortunate is that men often do not know they have prostate problems until the pain is unbearable, as sufferers often ignore the series of symptoms. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) says that prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The rate of prostate cancer among young men is increasing year by year, though the rate of deaths from prostate cancer is actually decreasing, probably thanks to improved detection methods.

Many men are worried about impotency following surgery, chemotherapy or radiation for prostate cancer and other prostate problems. This has brought about interest in alternative therapies such as herbal cures, acupuncture, meditation and dietary changes.

Saw palmetto is a pivotal ingredient in the supplement for prostate health(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Prostate-Health.html). It can reduce prostate enlargement effectively. While hormones can trigger prostate enlargement, saw palmetto can cut down the absorption of these hormones. The properties contained in saw palmetto can lessen inflammation and swelling, which in turn relieve bladder discomfort and urination problems.

Along with natural supplements for prostate(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Prostate-Health.html), a suitable diet is helpful for holding cancer in check. This kind of diet should include nuts, vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and kale, fruits like apples, grapefruit and papaya, oatmeal, fish and fish oil and seeds like flax, pumpkin, sunflower and sesame. Foods best to avoid are red meats, alcohol, refined sugar, hydrogenated fats and soft drinks. Eating salmon can help relieve inflammation. Related research has suggested that men who do not eat salmon frequently have a 300% higher chance of prostate enlargement. One natural supplement for the prostate which is strongly recommended involves pureeing a few aloe vera leaves, mixing them with a cup of honey and cooking the mixture for 15 minutes. Then mix 3 tablespoons of brandy and drink a teaspoonful every 8 hours for a month.

Often, men are reluctant to talk about their prostate problems(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Prostate-Health.html). By taking preventative measuresBusiness Management Articles, prostate problems can be greatly lessoned or eliminated. Be sure to talk to your doctor when experiencing any discomfort in the prostate area. This is a matter of life and death.

Prostate Examination And What To Expect

Before beginning basic outline, let me first say that this information is presented from a traditional, conventional approach to the treatment of prostate cancer, not alternative which is what I advocate. These are processes which one can expect if receiving conventional treatment.

Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. It may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms and is most often discovered by PSA (prostate specific antigen) screening and less commonly by physical examination or by symptoms.

Prostate cancer is uncommon in men less than 45, but becomes more common with advancing age and the risk can be decreased by modifying known risk factors, such as decreasing intake of animal fat. It is the ninth most common cancer in the world, but is the number one non-skin cancer in United States men.

Treatment options vary depending on the man 's age, general health and stage of the cancer. Treatment may involve watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy including brachytherapy (prostate brachytherapy) and external beam radiation, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), chemotherapy, cryosurgery, hormonal therapy, or some combination. Treatments directed at shrinking the cancer often can produce significant pain relief.

Treatments are generally given five days a week for about eight weeks. Options vary based on the stage of the tumor. Screening for prostate cancer is controversial because it is not clear if the benefits of screening outweigh the risks of follow-up diagnostic tests and cancer treatments.

PSA is an enzyme measured in the blood that can rise naturally as men age or if prostate abnormalities are present. PSA levels can change for many reasons other than cancer. There is some current concern about the accuracy of the PSA test and its usefulness. An estimated 20 million PSA tests are done per year in North America and possibly 20 million more outside of North America. Two common causes of high PSA levels are enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)) and infection in the prostate (prostatitis).

Scientists recommend a healthy, well balanced diet rich in fiber, and to reduce intake of meat. As people take a more active role in their health care, many are exploring options of care that fall outside the realm of traditional medicine. There is no doubt that what we put into our bodies relates to the health of our cells. It is not clear if prostate cancer can be prevented but a healthful diet rich in vegetables and fruits and low in animal fats may help. This is one of the most important organs of the male anatomy and often gets overlooked around healthy lifestyle issues because it takes a long time for prostate symptoms to appear.

But the good news is that survival rates have improved a great deal. In the past 20 years, 5-year survival rates for all stages of prostate cancer combined have increased from 67% to 99%. If prostate cancer is detected and treated early, the survival rate is high. Like all cancers, the earlier it is found and treated, the greater is the chance of cure and survival.

Prostate cancer often has no symptoms, especially in its beginning stages and finding out your have it may cause you to wonder, as there may be no traces of it in your family history and treatment should be highly individualized.

All prostate cancer patients should use alternative cancer therapies. In general, they should be used prior to beginning conventional treatment. When the prostate cancer patient is receiving conventional treatment, he should also incorporate alternative therapies in order to reduce the side effects of conventional treatment, improve the results, and possibly allow the patient to be able to discontinue the conventional treatments.

7 Factors That Can Increase your Breast Cancer Risk

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that affects around 44,500 people each year. It can effect both men and women with approximately 300 men being diagnosed with the condition annually. The cancer develops when the cells in the breast become malignant and start to multiply uncontrollably. Over time this can lead to the formation of a lump in the breast. No one is sure exactly what causes this type of cancer but there are a number of strong risk factors. In this article I will be discussing seven of these.

1) GENDER:- Being female is the main risk factor for this type of cancer with it occurring in less than 1% of males. The reason for this is that women have more breast cells than men and these cells are constantly exposed to oestrogen and progesterone. These female hormones both promote growth and are believed to stimulate the growth of cancer cells.

2) GETTING OLDER:- Unfortunately breast cancer becomes more common as you get older. Up to age 39 women 's risk of developing this type of cancer is about 0.5%. However, this increases to 7% for women over the age of 60. The reason that age is such a major risk factor is that is that the longer you live the greater the chances of your cells becoming damaged and turning cancerous.

3) DRINKING ALCOHOL:- Studies suggest that the more you drink the greater your risk of developing this type of cancer is. Although drinking alcohol does not increase your breast cancer risk significantly, the amount of alcohol you consume directly influences your risk. Therefore, moderate drinkers are less likely to develop this type of cancer than heavy drinkers.

4) OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH CANCER:- Your family history can determine how likely you are to develop this disease. If other people in your family have previously contracted cancer then this makes you more likely. On top of this there are two specific hereditary genes associated with breast cancer; BRCA1 and BRCA2. If you have one of these genes your risk is also increased.

5) NOT HAVING CHILDREN:- Not having any children or giving birth later in life (after the age of 30) marginally increases your breast cancer risk. Contrastingly, having children in your twenties or having multiple children reduces your risk.

6) MENSTRUAL PERIODS:- Menstruating is believed to increase a women 's breast cancer risk in the long term. Therefore, women who started their periods early or enter the menopause (a time when the female reproductive system shuts down completely) late do have a greater chance of developing this type of cancer. This is thought to be linked to the increased levels of oestrogen stimulating cancer cells whilst a woman 's reproductive system is active.

7) PERSONAL HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER:- If you have previously had this type of cancer then you have are at a greater risk than someone who has never had the disease. On top of this if you have previously contracted this condition in one breast your chances of it developing in the other breast are increased.

Many of the risk factors discussed in this article are beyond your control. However, by being aware of them you can work out your own personal risk. From here you can then see your doctor and discuss any possible treatments and preventative action. I hope this article clears up any confusion and helps you determine whether you are at risk.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Breast cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Most Asian Men Show A Better Capacity For Surviving Prostate Cancer than White Men

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly seen form of cancer in American men and it is estimated that almost 219,000 men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007 and that just over 27,000 men will die from the condition.

However, as with many diseases, prostate cancer survival rates are not the same around the globe and this should provide us with data that will allow us to improve our treatment options.

A recent study examined data on nearly 117,000 men with prostate cancer (including some 108,000 white men and nearly 9,000 Asians drawn from the six largest Asian ethnicities - Korean, Japanese, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese). The study looked at survival rates and prognostic factors for these men.

Amongst the many findings from the study it was seen that the risk profile for Asian men was worse than that for white men, with Asians being more likely to suffer from advanced prostate cancer at the time of diagnosis and of being treated with a range of non-curative therapies. However, the study also found that the survival rates for Asian men were either equal to or better than those for white men.

These results were somewhat surprising when we consider that the average age at which most Asian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer is far higher than that for white men and that their cancer is frequently more advanced, which should clearly indicate a reduced survival rate.

When the figures were examined in more detail however it was found that there was considerable variation between different Asian groups. As an example, Japanese-American men were one-third less likely to die from prostate cancer, while men from South Asia (including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan) were forty percent more likely to die from the disease.

So what does this mean? Well, unfortunately the answer would seem to be very little. These variations are without doubt big enough to be significant, but the wide variation between several largely similar groups means that it is virtually impossible to draw any concrete conclusions. Unquestionably there are a number of things, such as diet, exercise and genetics, that are a factor but several of the findings seem to be almost contradictory.

The result is that, a study that it was believed would identify differences across ethic groups which would enable us to improve prostate cancer treatment has in fact raised more questions that it has answered. In truth, other than pointing to the dangers of drawing conclusions from too large a group, as witnessed in the difference between the figures for Asian men in general and men from just South Asia, the study has shown that the differences were larger than most people had believed and thus suggest that the variations might be more significant than previously believed.

At the end of the dayArticle Search, this study has not taken us any further forward but has at least highlighted the need for further investigation that will hopefully provide us with better data and allow us to take advantage of the higher survival rates in many Asian men in putting together prostate cancer treatment plans.

Should I Have Prostate Surgery?

For a few men the arrival of middle age brings with it increasing urinary difficulty caused by an enlargement of the prostate gland. Instances of urinary difficulty increase with age so that by the time that most men reach retirement there's a better than 50/50 change they'll be experiencing difficulties and, if they're lucky enough to reach the age of 80, then they'll almost certainly run into difficulty as prostate problems affect about 90% of the male population by this age.

While enlargement of the prostate is extremely common it is also a benign condition that is confined to the prostate gland and for many men it will develop very slowly over a period of years. There are a variety of symptoms, almost all associated with problems in passing water, and these can range from the quite mild which are really not too bothersome and which you can certainly live with as just another sign of the ageing process, to more severe symptoms which are sufficiently annoying to warrant treatment.

In addition to the common problem of an enlarged prostate, which will affect almost all men at some point, a significant number of men will also develop prostate cancer which, while it starts life in the prostate gland, can eventually spread throughout the body and is an extremely dangerous condition and the second most common form of cancer death in the United States today.

An enlarged prostate and prostate cancer are two quite separate conditions and, despite what you may have heard, an enlarged prostate does not cause prostate cancer. The two conditions can however exist side-by-side and one problem with prostate cancer is that the symptoms of an enlarged prostate can mask the presence of a growing cancer.

The first step therefore is to call in and see your doctor as soon as you start to experience any sort of problems passing water and get him to establish the root of the problem.

If you consult your doctor at the first sign of trouble and he diagnoses prostate cancer then it is very likely to be at early stage of development and confined to the prostate gland, in which case your doctor will almost certainly suggest prostate surgery. In this particular case, unless there is a very good reason why you should not have surgery (such as the presence of other medical conditions that you place you at risk from surgery) then the answer to whether or not you should have prostate surgery is invariably going to be "yes".

There can be no question that the best way to deal with cancer is to remove it altogether and, when it is confined to the prostate gland, the easiest and best way to do that is to have it surgically removed.

If, however, your doctor diagnoses nothing more than an enlarged prostate the question of whether or not you should have surgery become a bit more complicated and you will need to discuss your options with your doctor.

There are a range of treatments available for an enlarged prostate including drug therapy and non-surgical treatments, as well as several different surgical treatments and each has its own advantages, disadvantage and risks.

The major difference in the case of an enlarged prostate is that the vast majority of treatments are not designed to cure the problem but are aimed at reducing symptoms so that it does not unduly interfere with your quality of life.

The question of whether or not you should have prostate surgery is very much dependent upon the cause of your problems. If you have prostate cancer and prostate surgery is the recommended option then, unless there is a good reason for deciding otherwise, you should almost certainly accept your doctor's recommendation. If, however, prostate surgery is being considered for an enlarged prostate, then there will be a range of other options open to you and you will need to make a very personal decision, in consultation with your doctorFind Article, about whether or not prostate surgery is the choice you feel would be most appropriate.

Should I Have Prostate Surgery?

For a few men the arrival of middle age brings with it increasing urinary difficulty caused by an enlargement of the prostate gland. Instances of urinary difficulty increase with age so that by the time that most men reach retirement there's a better than 50/50 change they'll be experiencing difficulties and, if they're lucky enough to reach the age of 80, then they'll almost certainly run into difficulty as prostate problems affect about 90% of the male population by this age.

While enlargement of the prostate is extremely common it is also a benign condition that is confined to the prostate gland and for many men it will develop very slowly over a period of years. There are a variety of symptoms, almost all associated with problems in passing water, and these can range from the quite mild which are really not too bothersome and which you can certainly live with as just another sign of the ageing process, to more severe symptoms which are sufficiently annoying to warrant treatment.

In addition to the common problem of an enlarged prostate, which will affect almost all men at some point, a significant number of men will also develop prostate cancer which, while it starts life in the prostate gland, can eventually spread throughout the body and is an extremely dangerous condition and the second most common form of cancer death in the United States today.

An enlarged prostate and prostate cancer are two quite separate conditions and, despite what you may have heard, an enlarged prostate does not cause prostate cancer. The two conditions can however exist side-by-side and one problem with prostate cancer is that the symptoms of an enlarged prostate can mask the presence of a growing cancer.

The first step therefore is to call in and see your doctor as soon as you start to experience any sort of problems passing water and get him to establish the root of the problem.

If you consult your doctor at the first sign of trouble and he diagnoses prostate cancer then it is very likely to be at early stage of development and confined to the prostate gland, in which case your doctor will almost certainly suggest prostate surgery. In this particular case, unless there is a very good reason why you should not have surgery (such as the presence of other medical conditions that you place you at risk from surgery) then the answer to whether or not you should have prostate surgery is invariably going to be "yes".

There can be no question that the best way to deal with cancer is to remove it altogether and, when it is confined to the prostate gland, the easiest and best way to do that is to have it surgically removed.

If, however, your doctor diagnoses nothing more than an enlarged prostate the question of whether or not you should have surgery become a bit more complicated and you will need to discuss your options with your doctor.

There are a range of treatments available for an enlarged prostate including drug therapy and non-surgical treatments, as well as several different surgical treatments and each has its own advantages, disadvantage and risks.

The major difference in the case of an enlarged prostate is that the vast majority of treatments are not designed to cure the problem but are aimed at reducing symptoms so that it does not unduly interfere with your quality of life.

The question of whether or not you should have prostate surgery is very much dependent upon the cause of your problems. If you have prostate cancer and prostate surgery is the recommended option then, unless there is a good reason for deciding otherwise, you should almost certainly accept your doctor's recommendation. If, however, prostate surgery is being considered for an enlarged prostate, then there will be a range of other options open to you and you will need to make a very personal decision, in consultation with your doctorFind Article, about whether or not prostate surgery is the choice you feel would be most appropriate.

The Ins And Outs Of Prostate Milking Or Prostate Massage

Although often thought of purely in terms of pleasure, prostate milking, which is also known as prostate massage, is frequently performed either as a form of self-massage or by a doctor for medical reasons.

Part of the male reproductive system, one role of the prostate gland is to produce a clear fluid which makes up about thirty percent of male seminal fluid and, in cases of chronic prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate milking can be used to reduce pressure in the prostate gland by removing excess fluid.

Although it is possible to perform prostate milking externally by stimulating the prostate through the perineum this method is not always successful and it is more usual for prostate milking to be performed internally using a finger, prostate massager or a medical massager.

If you wish to perform prostate milking yourself you should proceed as follows:

1. Before attempting prostate milking pay a visit to the bathroom to ensure that both your bladder and bowel are emptied.

2. Ensure that your fingernails are trimmed short and that your hands and the area around your anus are washed thoroughly.

3. Put a sterile latex glove onto the hand which you wish to use to massage the prostate gland and apply some water-based lubricant to your gloved fingers.

4. Adopt a comfortable position. The position which you adopt is not important as long as it is comfortable and allows you to gain easy access to the prostate gland with your gloved hand. Most people find that lying on their back or side is most comfortable.

5. Gently insert your finger (or fingers) into your anus and move it slowly forward along the wall of the rectum, as if you are heading for your belly button, until you feel the prostate gland. The prostate gland will feel like part of a small ball and is normally about the size of a walnut.

6. Having located the prostate gland, massage it gently along both sides but do not massage the central (top) area which contains several sensitive nerves.

7. After a few minutes of gentle milking the gland will be sufficiently stimulated to contract causing it to release its fluid. At this point you might experience a degree of sexual pleasure and, in some but not all cases, may also experience orgasm.

Although prostate milking can be extremely helpful as a form of preventative medicine and relieve the build-up of seminal fluid in the prostate gland, it is not without its risks. As a result prostate milking should not be performed if you are suffering from an acute case of prostatitis and should never be performed vigorously. If you are at all unsure about whether or not it is safe to perform prostate milking you should consult your doctor.