Layman's View of Prostate Cancer
By Richard Poupart I find that most articles on prostate cancer seem to be from the clinical point of view. This doesn't always placate the poor soul who has just been diagnosed and, as far as he is concerned this is a death sentence. The odds in favour of survival have increased so much over the past few years that there really should not be any doom and gloom about this disease that attacks so many men, and, I am told, an increasing percentage the older you get. And I realise that it is not something that is whispered about in corners any more, if it gets a mention. It is so eminently survivable that all men should take some simple precautions to ensure that they catch it in time.
Some Early Warning Signs
There are plenty of early warning signs that should not be ignored. I can only be classed as a layman, but, having been there, I feel I talk from a position of strength. I knew that I was having to get up more often in the night than before, but was quite happy to assume the advancing years were responsible. My PSA count was about 7, so I was not too alarmed. However, working hard in the garden I did notice some blood in my urine, which should have warned me. But that was only one occasion, so, again, not too alarmed. The sudden lack of ejaculate should have been the final sign, but that was only a couple of weeks before proof positive of the problem. Like most men I was a little slow to grasp what had happened. There was no difficulty in urinating, just more frequent, so I took a little longer than I should have going to the doctor.
Treatment
Luckily for me the cancer had not spread away from the prostate. Leaving it any longer could have been fatal. After having the cancerous cells scraped away a treatment of radiotherapy followed by regular injections and a daily pill is keeping things under control. But before I had been fit and healthy, not really a day's sickness in years and I had been eating all the sorts of fruit and vegetables guaranteed to be very helpful in combating all sorts of cancer. It just goes to show that being open about the disease and an early visit to the doctor, if only to find that all is well, would not have been wasted.
Advice from a Fellow Sufferer
And, for fellow sufferers, I would say that you will improve your chances of being one of the 'lucky' ones by keeping fit, not getting overweight and overall keeping a good sense of humour are essential. It is rather like stopping all activity on retirement - if you do you can guarantee to go downhill and off to join your ancestors pretty quick - keep active in both mind and body and you will enjoy many more years with your family.
Some Early Warning Signs
There are plenty of early warning signs that should not be ignored. I can only be classed as a layman, but, having been there, I feel I talk from a position of strength. I knew that I was having to get up more often in the night than before, but was quite happy to assume the advancing years were responsible. My PSA count was about 7, so I was not too alarmed. However, working hard in the garden I did notice some blood in my urine, which should have warned me. But that was only one occasion, so, again, not too alarmed. The sudden lack of ejaculate should have been the final sign, but that was only a couple of weeks before proof positive of the problem. Like most men I was a little slow to grasp what had happened. There was no difficulty in urinating, just more frequent, so I took a little longer than I should have going to the doctor.
Treatment
Luckily for me the cancer had not spread away from the prostate. Leaving it any longer could have been fatal. After having the cancerous cells scraped away a treatment of radiotherapy followed by regular injections and a daily pill is keeping things under control. But before I had been fit and healthy, not really a day's sickness in years and I had been eating all the sorts of fruit and vegetables guaranteed to be very helpful in combating all sorts of cancer. It just goes to show that being open about the disease and an early visit to the doctor, if only to find that all is well, would not have been wasted.
Advice from a Fellow Sufferer
And, for fellow sufferers, I would say that you will improve your chances of being one of the 'lucky' ones by keeping fit, not getting overweight and overall keeping a good sense of humour are essential. It is rather like stopping all activity on retirement - if you do you can guarantee to go downhill and off to join your ancestors pretty quick - keep active in both mind and body and you will enjoy many more years with your family.
| Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Poupart Prostate Cancer Treatment And Information The prostate is a gland found in men that produces fluid that makes up part of the composition of semen. Normally, it is about the size of a walnut. It can enlarge, causing stress on the urinary system, and it can become cancerous. Prostate cancer is usually found in older men, but may be found in younger men as well. As a man ages, the prostate can enlarge. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. This condition is not cancerous, but may require surgery to correct. Unfortunately, the symptoms of BPH are the same as the symptoms for cancer. There is no way to distinguish the two without a medical examination and potentially a biopsy of the prostate cells. Prostate cancer can spread to other areas of the body if it is not caught in time. It can spread to the bones and lymph nodes, making it much harder to treat and making the prognosis much more grim. For this reason, it is critical to visit your doctor as early as possible if you notice any prostate symptoms. The easiest treatment for prostate infection or cancer is surgery. The prostate can be removed entirely in order to remove the cancerous cells, or just a section may be removed. If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, they will be removed, as well. Radiation is sometimes an option, although it's not the first choice. While it can be effective at getting rid of prostate cancer, it can greatly increase the risk of bladder cancer and rectal cancer in men who have this treatment. Additionally, men treated with radiation may experience impotence and urinary issues. Hormone therapy is sometimes used to block hormones that cause the cancer to grow. In prostate cancer, male sex hormones can cause the prostate cancer to progress. By removing those hormones by the use of other hormones, the cancer growth can be stopped or slowed. Hormone therapies for prostate cancer include luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists, antiandrogens, orchiectomy (surgical removal of one of both testicles), and the use of estrogen. Some types of drugs may also be used. There are many other potential treatments currently being tested, including chemotherapy, cryosurgery, biologic therapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and proton beam radiation therapy. These are all in clinical trials, and may not be available to the general public. Looking for information and resources on prostate cancer, infections and problems? Visit: http://www.SymptomsofProstateInfection.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meghan_Carter | | |
