How Common Is Prostate Cancer at Different Ages?

If you're curious about prostate cancer rates, you may be wondering if prostate cancer risk increases with age. The answer is yes. Before the age of 40, it is uncommon, but prevalence increases rapidly in men over age 40 -- and continues to rise thereafter.

How Do We Know the True Prevalence of Prostate Cancer?

The only way to definitively diagnose prostate cancer is by taking some of the prostate tissue and looking at it under a microscope to determine if any cancerous cells are present.
This is mostly done with prostate biopsy when there is some reason to be concerned that prostate cancer may be present (such as an elevated PSA level, an abnormal digital rectal exam, or urinary symptoms).

In order to determine how common prostate cancer truly is, however, biopsies would have to be done on lots and lots of men -- regardless of whether they needed it or not. This plan obviously has some serious drawbacks and will likely never be done.
Instead, prostate tissue can be analyzed after death during an autopsy. It is through autopsy studies that scientists have been able to determine the actual prevalence of prostate cancer among men of various ages.

Prostate Cancer Rates by Age

One project that analyzed autopsy studies from around the world came to the following conclusion regarding the actual rate of prostate cancer in men of different ages:

• 20 to 30 years, 2% to 8%
• 31 to 40 years: 9% to 31%
• 41 to 50 years: 3% to 43%
• 51 to 60 years: 5% to 46%
• 61 to 70 years: 14% to 70%
• 71 to 80 years: 31% to 83%
• 81 to 90 years: 40% to 73%

Obviously, some of these age ranges show a large degree of variability in the prevalence of cancer. This variability is thought to be due to differences in the diagnostic techniques used by the various pathologists and to geographic differences. (Men in some parts of the world have much higher rates of prostate cancer than others.)

Overall, though, this gives a pretty good picture of just how common prostate cancer is and how dramatically its prevalence increases with age.

_Sources:

Delongchamps NB, Singh A, Haas GP. The role of prevalence in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Cancer Control. 2006 Jul;13(3):158-68.
Hankey BF, Feuer EJ, Clegg LX, et al. Cancer surveillance series: interpreting trends in prostate cancer--part I: Evidence of the effects of screening in recent prostate cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates. J Natl Cancer Inst 1999 Jun 16;91(12):1017-24.

Do Metabolic Factors Increase Mortality in Prostate Cancer?

Hello. I am Dr. Gerald Chodak for Medscape. Today's topic is the role of metabolic syndrome in men with prostate cancer. Haggstrom and coworkers ^[1] published in Cancer a large cohort series on nearly 300,000 men who were followed over a course of about 12 years.

What they attempted to determine was whether having symptoms of metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The authors found no such association. However, they did find that men who had metabolic syndrome were more likely to be dying from prostate cancer, the risk for which was associated with elevated body mass index, elevated blood pressure, or abnormal glucose or triglyceride blood levels.

The significance of this is the following. We know that many men who progress from prostate cancer are likely to develop metabolic syndrome as a consequence of androgen deprivation. Although we are getting better at treating men with progressive metastatic prostate cancer, the fact is that we may be falling far short of addressing potentially resolvable problems that contribute to their overall death.
I don't think that urologists are primed for evaluating patients for metabolic syndrome, monitoring it, or ensuring that patients are getting the care that they need to make sure that the syndrome is being addressed. What does that mean going forward? First, we need to alert our patients to these side effects and symptoms, encouraging them to try to moderate their weight, get exercise, monitor their glucose levels, get their blood pressure managed properly, and address triglyceride levels that may be abnormal.

That may be outside the realm of the urologist. However, it does require careful attention, and urologists need to do a better job of ensuring that their patients with progressive prostate cancer are receiving care in the area of addressing metabolic syndrome. That means that not only is better patient education needed, but physicians need to be tuned in to the seriousness of these side effects. As urologists, we tend to think more about the cancer with blinders on and don't address the peripheral association that happens as a result of the treatments that we administer.

But it is becoming clearer all the time that metabolic syndrome is serious. It contributes to the mortality of men with prostate cancer and, more than likely, there is a great opportunity for improving the management of our patients to address some of these problems. Hopefully you will find this information useful. I look forward to your comments. Thank you.

Do Metabolic Factors Increase Mortality in Prostate Cancer?

Hello. I am Dr. Gerald Chodak for Medscape. Today's topic is the role of metabolic syndrome in men with prostate cancer. Haggstrom and coworkers ^[1] published in Cancer a large cohort series on nearly 300,000 men who were followed over a course of about 12 years.

What they attempted to determine was whether having symptoms of metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The authors found no such association. However, they did find that men who had metabolic syndrome were more likely to be dying from prostate cancer, the risk for which was associated with elevated body mass index, elevated blood pressure, or abnormal glucose or triglyceride blood levels.

The significance of this is the following. We know that many men who progress from prostate cancer are likely to develop metabolic syndrome as a consequence of androgen deprivation. Although we are getting better at treating men with progressive metastatic prostate cancer, the fact is that we may be falling far short of addressing potentially resolvable problems that contribute to their overall death.
I don't think that urologists are primed for evaluating patients for metabolic syndrome, monitoring it, or ensuring that patients are getting the care that they need to make sure that the syndrome is being addressed. What does that mean going forward? First, we need to alert our patients to these side effects and symptoms, encouraging them to try to moderate their weight, get exercise, monitor their glucose levels, get their blood pressure managed properly, and address triglyceride levels that may be abnormal.

That may be outside the realm of the urologist. However, it does require careful attention, and urologists need to do a better job of ensuring that their patients with progressive prostate cancer are receiving care in the area of addressing metabolic syndrome. That means that not only is better patient education needed, but physicians need to be tuned in to the seriousness of these side effects. As urologists, we tend to think more about the cancer with blinders on and don't address the peripheral association that happens as a result of the treatments that we administer.

But it is becoming clearer all the time that metabolic syndrome is serious. It contributes to the mortality of men with prostate cancer and, more than likely, there is a great opportunity for improving the management of our patients to address some of these problems. Hopefully you will find this information useful. I look forward to your comments. Thank you.

Appropriate Prostate Cancer Treatment in Men over 80

I read recently what one doctor said recently that prostate cancer in men over 80 years old should not be a serious issue like in men under 40 years old. This makes sense and given what we know about prostate cancer being a slow-growing malignancy. If you have read about prostate cancer at all, you must be aware that there are certain stages, or levels of seriousness, that are apparent as the disease develops.

People who panic about prostate cancer might be inclined toward aggressive treatment for a man over 80. Aggressive treatment has side effects that may dramatically alter the quality of life of that special senior citizen. Unlike a man under 40, who is much more able to tolerate an aggressive treatment regimen if deemed appropriate.

Some make the mistake and assumed that someone over 80 that has prostate cancer only needs to have the disease managed as the patient probably doesn't have that many more years, anyway. Although I'm certain some medical doctors think this way, many are more interested in providing a higher quality of life to the elderly.

In the case of a cancerous tumor, the treatment will be based on the desires of the patient, treatment options in the stage at which the cancer has progressed. These are important considerations when determining the appropriate level of treatment, no matter if the man is under 40 are well over 80.
Many men who contract prostate cancer early in life typically have a hereditary factors involved. This means that there may have been men in his close family like his father, brothers or uncles who have had prostate carcinoma. This may suggest to many medical professionals, that the patient needs continued monitoring and potentially aggressive treatment as he has apparently predisposed to this type of malignancy.

A men who has reached the age of 80, has survived what life has thrown his way both medically and physically. A level of frailty becomes a consideration in determining the appropriate level of treatment that should be considered.

Several stages of prostate cancer, offer a treatment option known as" watchful waiting." As we know, this type of carcinoma is slow-growing, an appropriate level of care may be simply keeping an eye on the cancerous growth to minimize the risk of it metastasizing were spreading to other parts of the body.

So the option of carefully watching may provide the best option for senior men. It allows them to maintain their current quality of life while also protecting their future existence from malignant cancer running through their body. No matter what your age, it's important to talk to your doctor about treatment options if diagnosed with prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer and African American Black Men

If you are an African American black man, it's time to get rid of the last vestige of self denial and disassociating yourself from prostate cancer. There's now every clear evidence and proof that prostate type of cancer affects MORE African American black men than any other people. This article provides more reasons why you should start taking the condition more seriously, because nothing says it won't happen to you or your loved ones.

While this doesn't mean that others don't get the condition, it's mostly prevalent among the African Black American, with Asians having the lowest number of victims. This shows that if you are an African American, you should be concerned about the condition.

It's time to face the facts and start getting involved in protecting yourself from the condition instead of living in self delusion. Such self delusion reminds me of the popular behavior of burying your head in the sand like the Ostrich and pretending that the condition can never happen to you.
Thankfully, if the cancer is detected very early there's every chance of surviving it. That's why it's always recommended that you go for constant examinations (at least every six months, if you are over 40 or 50 years old).

What you are doing if you go for constant medical tests is being on the watch-out for the condition so that you can have it treated effectively if and when it crops up. I think this is a much better plan that can save your life, as an African, instead of pretending that it can't happen to you.

Breast Cancer in Men Isn't Possible is It? - Wise Guys Check Breasts

Breast cancer in men does happen. Yes. Male breast cancer exists.

Like women, men have breast tissue and the types of breast cancer in men, are similar to women. Not all men understand that male breast cancer is not only a womens health issue, but one that both sexes must be aware of. Men must know basic information and risk factors about male breast cancer.
Males who understand the signs of breast cancer, are in the minority. Most men do not know about male breast cancer, and do not realise that it is possible for them to have a breast lump. Signs of breast cancer are sometimes missed and found later down the track, therefore it can reduce options available.

It is difficult for a man to get his head around, to process and accept he has breast cancer. In a man? Really, no, it cant be, isn't it a woman's disease? Men have been known to think that women are the unlucky ones who find a breast lump, and that men don't experience male breast cancer. Yes they can. Sorry men, it is perceived as a women's disease, but it is not only us who must do self breast exams (BSE) and visual observations. Welcome to the club.

Guys, here are some signs of breast cancer you need to know about.

• Breast lump
• Indentations
• Puckering
• Nipple discharge
• Rash
• Itching
• Lesion or sore
• Redness
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Changes in colour of nipple or chest

Blokes, here are breast cancer risk factors.

• Age. More common in men as they age.
• Family members. Know your family history?
• A breast cancer gene may increase your risk.
• Exposure to radiation to your chest when younger.
• Klinefelters syndrome. This is when men have an extra x chromosome, so they do not make as much testosterone.
• Estrogen. Have prostate cancer hormone therapy? This can raise your risk, so you need to be aware and do regular breast examinations.
• Obesity. You have more fat cells that are converting androgens into estrogen, therefore elevating levels and increasing your risk.
• Alcohol. Might be an idea to look at the amount you are drinking and possibly reduce.

Men, don't let breast lumps be a risk. Depending on where abouts in the world you live, men get called all sorts of various names. Blokes, Guys, Men, Jokers, Boys, and if you are lucky, Dear. Whatever you like to be called, please understand that you may be at risk of having male breast cancer and that whilst it is not common, it is possible to have, regardless of where you live.
Be active in your breast self exam and encourage the women in your life, to do the same. Fear is often a reason why breast examination is not done, so if you have a partner, why not remind and support each other to do breast self exam each month, and hopefully breast cancer in men and women can be caught earlier.

If you were to discover a breast lump, please seek medical attention. This is not something that you should delay doing. Sometimes it can be difficult to get a man to visit a doctor, however this is one of those times that you do need to pick up the phone and make an appointment as soon as possible. Early detection is key!

Do Men With Prostate Cancer Who Undergo Surgery Need Radiation Therapy, Too?

There are a number of treatment options for men with prostate cancer. These include a surgical procedure, known as radical prostatectomy, as well as radiation therapy (hereafter referred to as RT). Are there any situations wherein a man who undergoes a radical prostatectomy will need RT afterwards?

The answer is yes, in special circumstances. Such RT is known as salvage radiotherapy, and is advisable for men whose PSA levels rise after surgery, as well as for those whose PSA levels never fully decline. The reason is that this additional treatment can increase the odds of survival for such men.

A recent study reviewed the data of 635 men with rising PSA levels after radical prostatectomy. In the study, 160 of the men received salvage RT, 78 received salvage RT and hormonal therapy (which lowers the level of prostate cancer stimulating male hormones in the blood stream), and 397 received no treatment.

Over the ensuing ten years, of the men who received salvage RT alone or salvage RT plus hormonal therapy, the rate of death from prostate cancer was nearly 60% less than that of the men who were not treated.

Salvage RT is noted to be most beneficial for men with rising PSA levels when it is administered promptly after the problem is identified. In contrast, if men with climbing PSA levels defer RT more than two years after the initial PSA spike, no benefit is noted.

Additional analysis revealed that the beneficial effect of salvage RT was confined to those men whose PSA levels doubled in less than six months, suggesting that a rapid PSA doubling time is indicative of more aggressive disease.

Therefore, the good news is that for men whose PSA levels climb after radical prostatectomy, RT can be life saving

The Effects of Diabetes on Men's Health

Good health is important among other factors for enjoying a blissful sex life. At the same time, there are some factors, which have negative effect on the health of men and women. These include aging, stress and disease. One of the diseases that seriously influence sexual- health in men is diabetes. Recent researches have concluded that over half of the men suffering from diabetes may experience poor sexual health or even impotence.

It is crucial for diabetics and their partners to understand how and why this happens. Sexual arousal and erection in men is caused by excitement signals released by nerves and by increased flow of blood into the penis. Diabetics often suffer from impaired nerves and blood vessels, which reduces the blood flow to the penis. This may be a direct result of the disease or the side effect of drugs that are taken for treating diabetes. The longer a person suffers from diabetes, more are the chances of his suffering from poor health.

In order to manage this problem, we recommend that diabetic male patients follow the tips given below:

• Talk to your partner. This will help release tension in your sexual relationship and will help in coming to terms with the situation.
• Take advice of your doctor. You should discuss the issue of your health with your doctor as he may alter the medicines you are taking for diabetes.
• Keep your blood glucose levels in check by regularly taking medicines, and adopting healthier life-style.
• Explore other issues that may be aggravating the problems such as alcohol, stress or any other psychological problems.

In addition to these tips, there are options available for diabetic men that help them achieve better sexual-health. These include health supplements, local creams, medicines, devices and surgery. However, you should be fully research and verify them before you start using them to improve your sexual- health.

Type 2 Diabetes - Erectile Dysfunction And Finding Coronary Artery Disease In Men With Diabetes

Coronary artery disease is a common and sometimes deadly complication of Type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes have deadly heart attacks at rates 2 to 4 times greater than non-diabetics. People with diabetes are often unable to feel the chest pain that can accompany coronary artery disease (CAD) in non-diabetics, and so the disease can progress insidiously.

Screening for CAD is problematic. Screening usually starts with an electrocardiogram, or EKG. Unless a person is actively having a heart attack, CAD can easily go undetected. Stress tests with X-ray imaging and more invasive testing are expensive and carry some risk.

Doctors can decide to screen for diseased heart arteries or CAD based upon risk factors. Factors that put people at risk include:

• high blood pressure,
• high cholesterol,
• fat in the blood,
• family history of heart disease, and
• smoking.

Men with coronary artery disease can suffer from erectile dysfunction, and investigators at the Center for Applied Clinical Research in Pavia, Italy conducted a study on the possibility of using erectile dysfunction along with other risk factors as a guide to screening for this form of artery problem. Their work was published in the journal Endocrine in August 2011.
Two hundred and ninety-three men with Type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the study.

• seventy-four of them were found to have coronary artery disease...
• erectile dysfunction was found to be more common in men with this problem than in those with normal coronary arteries,
• some men with coronary artery disease had erectile dysfunction without other risk factors. In this group, if erectile dysfunction had been used as a criterion for screening, 27 per cent more men with coronary artery disease would have been found than if the traditional risk factors alone had been used.

It was therefore concluded erectile dysfunction can help to find disease of the coronary arteries if it is used as a criterion for testing.
To prevent CAD, patients need to keep:

• their diabetes under control,
• keep cholesterol within normal limits,
• avoid smoking,
• normalize their weight, and
• take part in physical activity on a daily basis.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels should ideally be under 7 per cent and total cholesterol should be under 200. A normal body mass index is between 18.5 and 24.9. Type 2 diabetics need to monitor their blood sugar and weight and have regular testing for their hemoglobin A1c level, cholesterol and blood fats. Male diabetics should tell their doctor if they suffer erectile dysfunction so their doctor can decide whether further testing for coronary artery disease is warranted.

It's Ridiculous Men Still Smoke Despite Increased Chances Of Getting ED

For years doctors have always said smoking is bad for you, but now I think men should be taking that advice more seriously as it looks like smoking can lead to erectile dysfunction! Yes indeed you can go limp from smoking according to a December 2007 study conducted at Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital in Philadelphia. I was truly surprised to learn that researchers found that men who smoke at least a pack of cigarettes a day are almost 40 percent more likely to be struck with erectile dysfunction than men who don't smoke. This is because smoking delivers nicotine and other chemicals that restrict blood vessels in the body and particularly in the penis. With this definitive research, I honestly cannot believe men still continue to smoke even though it could jeopardize their ability to have sex in the future.

The Temple University journal called Tobacco Control, recently published a study of 8,000 Australian men between the ages of 16 and 60 found that those who smoked less than a pack a day had a 25 percent increased risk of erectile problems. As the number of cigarettes men smoked went up, so did their chances of be stricken with erectile dysfunction. Specifically, those men who typically smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day increased their risk of erectile dysfunction by 40 percent. Another recent study done by the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that male smokers in their 40's were more likely to experience erectile difficulties than older non-smoking males. The risk of erectile dysfunction was nearly doubled for smoking men in their 40's compared to non-smokers in their 50's.

If the risk of death wasn't reason enough to quit smoking, how about knowing it will also kill your erection? Medical researchers cited erectile dysfunction could easily be avoided by men who stop smoking and change their lifestyle habits. Other health issues that seriously increase the chance of men to be stricken with erectile dysfunction include obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, recreational drug, as well as a lifestyle without regular exercise said doctors at Temple University. It's clear that you should think twice the next you light up a cigarette or cigar because you're really destroying your sex life not to mention your life.

What to Know About the Prostate Cancer TURP Procedure

Transurethral resection of the prostate, better known as the TURP procedure, has been used extensively for many years to treat men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or sometimes simply called "enlarged prostate"), but it also can be used to treat symptomatic prostate cancer.

Who Could Benefit from a TURP Procedure?

The TURP procedure is used mostly to relieve urinary symptoms.

The TURP procedure is used most commonly in men with BPH who have significant problems urinating despite trying medication.

It can also be used to treat men with prostate cancer who have problems urinating. The TURP procedure cannot be used to cure prostate cancer because it removes only the parts of the prostate that are closest to the urethra, while leaving the majority of the gland intact.

Because the TURP procedure, when used in men with prostate cancer, is meant to relieve symptoms but not to cure the cancer, it is called a palliative procedure.

What Is the TURP Procedure?

A TURP procedure involves the removal of the portions of the prostate gland immediately surrounding the urethra.

To do this, a surgeon inserts an instrument known as a resectoscope into the penis, through the urethra, and up to the prostate. Once positioned correctly in the prostatic portion of the urethra, the resectoscope uses an electrically activated wire loop to cut the nearby prostate tissue away. The procedure does not require an incision through the skin.

The procedure requires general anesthesia (you are unconscious) or a type of anesthesia that results in numbing of the lower half of your body. Overall, the procedure takes roughly one hour.

Following the surgery, a catheter will be inserted into the bladder and left there for a few days to ensure that urine can pass freely out of the body. Most men need to stay in the hospital for a few days following surgery.

Potential complications or side effects of the TURP procedure include blood in the urine, infection, post-operative pain, and all of the potential complications associated with anesthesia.

<sub>Source:

Rassweiler J, Teber D, Kuntz R, Hofmann R. Complications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)--incidence, management, and prevention. Eur Urol. 2006 Nov;50(5):969-79; discussion 980. Epub 2006 Jan 30.</sub>

What Do Your Prostate Cancer Grade and Gleason Score Mean?

What Is Cancer “Grading”?

After a biopsy is taken and prostate cancer is diagnosed, the “grade” of your cancer will be determined. This is done by examining cells from the cancer under a microscope to decide how abnormal the cancer cells are.

The more abnormal the cancer cells are, the more likely the cancer is to be aggressive or to spread quickly outside of the prostate. The grade of your cancer is an important piece of information for your physicians to have when deciding upon the proper treatment.

The most common scale for prostate cancer grading is the Gleason score.

What Is the Gleason Score?

When cells from the prostate are examined under a microscope, the pathologist will identify many types of cells that range from very normal, non-aggressive cells to very abnormal, aggressive cells. The pathologist determines which type of cell is the most common and which type is the second most common.

Each of these two cell types is then given a score from 1 to 5. Higher numbers in this system mean more abnormal, aggressive cancer cells.

Because the two most common types of cancer cells are identified in the prostate, the Gleason score is a combination of these two cells types.

For example, if the most common cell type is a 3 (on the 1 to 5 scale) and the second most common type is a 4, then the Gleason score is reported as a 7 or sometimes as a “3+4”.

Similarly, if the most common cell type found is a 3 and the second most common type is a 2, then your Gleason score is a 5 or “3+2”.

For the most part, the lower your overall Gleason score is, the less aggressive the cancer and the better your prognosis.

Sources:

Allsbrook Jr WC, Mangold KA, Yang X, et al. The Gleason grading system: an overview. J Urologic Path 10:141-157, 1999.
Gleason DF. Histology grading of prostate cancer: a perspective. Hum Path 23:273-279, 1992.

Are There Warning Signs That Could Herald Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer can be a completely silent disease, especially in its early stages. It can grow slowly for years without causing any noticeable signs or symptoms. Sometimes, however, there are important warning signs that something is wrong with the prostate.

What Are the Most Common Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?

Because of the prostate's location in the body (located just below the bladder in the lower pelvis), urinary symptoms are common warning signs that something is wrong with the prostate.
As urine empties out of the bladder it travels through a thin tube called the urethra. At the very beginning of the urethra, just as it exits the bladder, it passes directly through the prostate. As the prostate enlarges due to cancer or another problem, the urethra is pinched tighter and tighter within the prostate. As the tube narrows, urine has a much harder time making its way through the urethra and out of the body.

Urinary warning signs that something could be wrong with the prostate include:

• Frequency - urinating much more often than normal.
• Urgency - having a sensation that you need to urinate immediately.
• Nocturia - getting up to urinate multiple times during the night.
• Hesitancy - difficulty starting the urine stream.

Prostate cancer is not the only disease that can cause the prostate to swell, however. In fact, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a much more common cause of an enlarged prostate and, thus, of urinary symptoms. BPH is not cancer, but is still an important condition that should be treated by a physician.

What Are Other Less Common Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?

The urinary problems discussed above are among the most common experienced by men with prostate cancer. However, they are not the only ones. Other less common warning signs include:

• Blood in the urine.
• Blood in the semen.
• New-onset erectile dysfunction (impotence).
• Bone pain (especially in the lower back, hips, or ribs).
• Loss of bladder control.

When Should I Go to See My Doctor?

The answer to this question is simple. Visit your physician and explain your situation whenever you first begin to experience any of these symptoms. It is especially important for African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer to see their physicians as these two groups have much higher rates of prostate cancer.

The warning signs listed above are almost always abnormal and all need to be evaluated by a physician. This is especially true if these warning signs appear suddenly. Very simple examinations and laboratory tests can be put to use by your doctor to determine whether or not your symptoms are due to prostate cancer, another serious disease, or a less dangerous condition.

International Agency Gives Nod to Prostate Cancer Pill Before Chemo

he European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended extending the use of the prostate cancer pill abiraterone acetate ( Zytiga, Janssen) to include men with advanced prostate cancer who fail on androgen-deprivation therapy.

The drug is currently approved in Europe and the United States for these same men, but only as second-line treatment, after docetaxel chemotherapy. If approved, abiraterone could be used by European clinicians as a first-line treatment for men who progress on androgen-deprivation therapy.
Specifically, CHMP recommended that abiraterone be administered in combination with prednisone for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after the failure of androgen-deprivation therapy.
A supplemental New Drug Application for this use was submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June.

In both cases, the proposed expanded use of abiraterone is based on efficacy and safety results from an international phase 3 trial, which were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in June. The trial compared abiraterone plus prednisone with placebo plus prednisone in 1088 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic men with mCRPC who had not received chemotherapy. It has been criticized for being stopped too early and for the unproven nature of one of its primary end points.

However, European reviewers apparently agree with a study investigator who, at the ASCO meeting, said that the abiraterone data "merit consideration" as a "new standard approach" for the first-line treatment of mCRPC.

Abiraterone in combination with prednisone was approved by the FDA in April 2011 for the treatment of patients with mCRPC who have received previous chemotherapy containing docetaxel.
The drug reportedly costs $5000 per month in the United States.

Diet for an Enlarged Prostate

Prostate enlargement is gradually becoming one of the most serious problems concerning men's health. Thousands of new cases of prostate enlargement are diagnosed each year. There's a lot you can do to maintain a healthy prostate by proactively changing your lifestyle. Dietary modifications and working out regularly are the most important steps you should follow to keep your prostate gland in top shape.

It's no secret that what you eat directly influences your well-being. It has scientifically proven that certain foods boost your immune system and lower the risks of acquiring any disease, and the same goes for prostate health too. Let's take a look at what you should be eating and the foods you should ideally avoid to help manage prostate enlargement.

Diet Tips for an Enlarged Prostate

• Go in for five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Include cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, turnips, garlic, onions, and mushrooms. Fruits like tomatoes, grapefruit, watermelon, guava, and papaya contain antioxidants that combat the free radicals in our body and prevent the proliferation of malignant cells.
• Zinc is very important for prostate health because it decreases the level of dihydrotestosterone in the body which in turn means better prostate health. Foods high in zinc include oysters, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, and pine nuts.
• Selenium is another prostate-friendly element. Wheat germ, tuna, herring, Brazil nuts, and eggs are rich sources of selenium.
• Soy products like tofu, soy flour, and soy milk help to maintain a healthy prostate.
• Say no to saturated fats, which mainly come from meat products. Limit your consumption of red meat (hot dogs, bologna, pork, and beef), packages foods, and fast food. Instead choose leaner cuts of meat. Bake and grill the meat instead of deep-frying it.
• Omega-3 fatty acids are linked to better overall health. Salmon, mackerel, olive oil, walnuts, and almonds are rich sources of these healthy fats which not only maintain prostate health but are also good for cardiovascular health.
• Choose whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereals over white bread.
• Choose low-fat dairy products over whole-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Foods that contain excess fats are not just bad for the prostate, but they may encourage obesity which is a precursor to heart disease.
• Multivitamins provide your system with the necessary dose of vitamins and minerals which you might not be receiving from your daily diet, especially if you're a fussy eater. You can also take nutritional supplements like Super Beta Prostate which keep the prostate gland functioning efficiently.
• Cut back on the baddies, namely alcohol, sugar, and too much caffeine. Excess consumption can have an adverse effect on your prostate health.

Smoking Harms Men and Women

Most people acknowledge what are the effects of smoking but not all people understand that smoking harms women more than men. It is an accepted fact that tobacco has never done anything good to the body, but it seems unfair that women receive more damage for having a daily puff of Dunhill than men.

Here are some of the results of a research made by Lancet about the effects of smoking among women:

· Women are more prone than men to have heart disease caused by smoking
· Women receive more carcinogens and toxins from tobacco than men
· Yet, men are more likely to quit than men
· The effects of smoking is more prominent in women than in men

The research started from 1966 to 2010 and studied individuals that came from diverse range of populations worldwide. The study received no funding, and the results were consistent. Smoking is more harmful for women because they are more heavily influenced by hormones compared to men. In men, the genes play much more significant role in their bodies.

Women are mostly estrogen-powered; it keeps sexual characteristics and makes them feminine in many ways. It is the estrogen that is responsible for distribution of fats in favorable places like the breasts, hips and buttocks. It is also responsible for menstrual cycles and maintenance of the
reproductive tract. Estrogen makes the heart and blood vessels healthy. It stimulates bone formation and prevents its resorption to avoid osteoporosis. In addition, high levels of estrogen are responsible for excellent mood (cranky mood is usually caused by insufficient levels of estrogen, which happens in cases like menopause and during menses).

One of the reasons why smoking harms more women than men is because nicotine (along with harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke) reduces the ability of the body to produce estrogen. Reduced estrogen in the bloodstream is akin to a 'mini' menopause. The 'favored' fat distribution will be in disarray, piling up fat in places where no woman wants to have such as under the chin, arms and above the hips (lovehandles). Tobacco abuse can disrupt daily menstrual cycles, cause infertility, vaginal dryness and increased susceptibility to vaginal infections as the protective secretions dries up. Long-term tobacco use weakens the bones by inhibiting calcium absorption, causing early onset of osteoporosis.

As said, estrogen plays an important role to keep heart and blood vessels healthy. Estrogen helps increase good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) while keeping bad cholesterol levels down. And it can be a reason why women are more prone to heart disease the longer they smoke, because nicotine reduces production of heart-friendly estrogen. Therefore smoking increases risk of diseases in heart and blood vessels, especially in women.

Women's bodies also have more fluid content than men. This is evident by having soft, suppler and clearer skin. It also makes them more sensitive to even slight changes in water levels. Cigarette smoke has a drying effect on the skin, and it constricts tiny blood vessels that nourish the skin with nutrients and water. It prematurely ages the skin, making it less elastic and decreasing its natural protection from the elements. Because of decreased blood circulation cell replacement slows down, causing emergence of dark spots. Nicotine also stains skin cells, which is hard to remove because of slow skin turnover. Women have proportionally more circulating blood than men of the same height and weight therefore this feature explains why women absorb more toxins and carcinogens in each puff of cigarette smoke.

But the big reason why the effects of smoking are more harmful in women than in men is due to their anatomy. It is a fact that women have more complicated bodies; they have mammary glands, uterus and cervix which have no equivalent parts in men. They undergo pregnancy, monthly menstrual periods during reproductive years and menopause when supply of egg cell runs out. These complicated operations require precise actions of different body systems to accomplish. Men do not to undergo such events. Therefore, components in cigarette smoke like toxins and carcinogens can do a lot more damage in women's bodies.

Sadly, most cigarette cessation programs are not that focused on women. For example, most graphic cigarette warnings only depict damage in men and not on women. And one more thing, tobacco companies are currently increasing its advertisements to women, and sees them as its growth market in advent of increased scrutiny from authorities.

The vast majority of women are never aware of this. Though the research study advocates for increased emphasis in women in tobacco cessation programs, it seems the best recommendation for women is to avoid tobacco altogether. That includes first-hand and second-hand smoke because the effects of smoking in women can be far worse than in men.

Are You Infertile Because You're Smoking?

Infertility is not an issue that only women worry about; men can also contribute to a couple's inability to conceive a baby. Many people, smokers and non-smokers alike, do not realize that smoking cigarettes impairs fertility in both men and women. If you are a smoker and are interested in having children than pay attention - your habit may be hindering your ability to experience the joys of parenting. Let's take a look at some of the ways that smoking impacts the fertility of both men and women; smoking damages the reproductive capabilities of each sex in a different way.

Let's start by looking at how smoking affect male fertility. Research conducted at the University of Buffalo (New York) in the United States shows that smoking significantly decreases a man's ability to father a child. Sperm from chronic smokers was tested and it was discerned that nearly 2/3 of the sperm failed the test that measures whether or not sperm can successfully fertilize an egg. The results are quite astounding; chronic smokers experienced a 75% decline in fertility compared to their non-smoker counterparts.

Researchers have determined that tobacco smoke decreases sperm count and affects the mobility of sperm - they are unable to swim to and fertilize the egg before they die. Smoking also affects men's hormonal cycles and can even contribute to erectile dysfunction. Additionally, smoking harms the DNA of sperm and in the event that the damaged sperm do fertilize the egg, the weakened DNA can be passed on to the child.

The good news is that quitting smoking can immediately begin reversing the fertility problems caused by tobacco smoke. The sperm count will increase, hormones will balance, and damaged DNA will be replenished. Problems like erectile dysfunction will also sort themselves out once the body begins to return to normal after clearing the system of tobacco toxins during the first few weeks of smoking cessation.

Now let's move on to how smoking harms the reproductive capacities of women. Researchers estimate that female smokers have approximately 75% of the fertility of their non-smoking counterparts. Smoking is linked to a variety of issues that affect a woman's fertility, and these problems (along with the rate of infertility) increase depending on how many cigarettes a woman smokes per day; especially if it is ten or more. Smoking damages the fallopian tubes, increases the risk of miscarriage, and causes unhealthy changes in the cervix and uterus. It can also make your menstrual cycle irregular as it has the ability to shake up your hormone cycle.

One of the most damaging side effects smoking has on a woman's fertility is the fact that is damages the eggs. It makes them weak and damages the DNA sequences. This is especially harmful because the damage is IRREVERSIBLE. Unlike men who continuously generate sperm throughout their lifetime, women are born with a finite set of eggs and they do not generate more. Thus, any damage that the eggs incur is permanent and irreversible. The more you smoke, the more you damage your eggs, and this increases miscarriage, and if you are able to conceive a child, it increases the chance of birth defects and other genetic abnormalities in your offspring.

If you are interested in having children and experiencing a fulfilling life as a parent, then smoking cigarettes is not helping your case. Remember that smoking is a habit and you have the power to take charge of your life and create a healthier way of living by building new habits that promote happiness and wellness. Get rid of that last package of cigarettes today and start a new chapter of your life that will not only benefit you, but also benefit the lives of the children that you want to have.

Pancreatic Cancer and Smoking

Pancreatic Cancer and Patrick Swayze

Most people these days are aware of the link between pancreatic cancer and smoking. Patrick Swayze's death from pancreatic cancer helped firmly to imprint in the mind of the public the association between this deadly disease and cigarette smoking. Patrick himself recognised that his habit may have contributed to his condition. Even so, Patrick continued to smoke and was often photographed smoking in public. He even lit up as he left the clinic where he was receiving treatment. Patrick was diagnosed with stage IV disease. At this stage of the diagnosis, the cancer has already spread from the original tumour site rendering a cure almost impossible. Often the cancer has already spread when symptoms of the disease become obvious. In fact just over 50% of pancreatic cancer sufferers have metastatic disease at diagnosis. Perhaps Patrick became fatalistic. I suppose there was little point in quitting after such a grim prognosis. He probably thought that he didn't need the added stress of undergoing nicotine withdrawal. And although I am fervently anti-smoking I can sympathise with his predicament.

Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis

This cancer carries a bad prognosis and only 5% of sufferers will survive beyond a year and median survival is only 5 months. This median time, in relation to cancer, means that 50% of patients are dead 5 months post diagnosis. Less than 2% of patients make it beyond 5 years. Patrick survived 20 months following his diagnosis. This may have been because of his lifelong regime of physical fitness, despite his smoking habit.

Smoking and Pancreatic Cancer

So what are the risk factors in contracting this deadly disease? Smoking, as discussed earlier, is considered a major cause of pancreatic cancer. Smoking has been linked to many cancers due to the fact that carcinogenic chemicals in cigarette smoke are rapidly distributed to every corner of the body by the bloodstream. Research shows that regular cigarette smokers increase their risk for pancreatic cancer by about 2 fold. The good news for ex-smokers is that risk reduces to similar levels experienced by non-smokers 15 years after smoking cessation.

Other Risk Factors 

Let us be honest, it is not all about smoking. Other factors are also influential. Age, as in many cancers, has major role to play and 80% of pancreatic cancer occurs in the 60-80 age bracket. Men are more likely to develop the disease than women. This may come down to the fact that smoking incidence is higher in men. Other important risk factors include sugar diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, peptic ulcer surgery and diet. Meat rich diets increase risk, while diets high in fruit and vegetables reduce risk. Luckily, for me, neither alcohol nor coffee drinking are considered as risk factors.
When you start to smoke you never think of the consequences. This is because most smokers start young. If you start smoking at 16 you are not thinking about possible health problems that may occur 30, 40, or 50 years down the line. Bad habits in our teenage years may continue and smoking is more than a bad habit; it is an addiction. And by their very nature addictions are very hard to break.

Acupuncture and Men's Health

Did you know that men are 24% less likely than women to visit a doctor for routine care? Men, not unlike women, should take care of their health during all life stages. It may be uncomfortable to discuss prostrate, erectile dysfunction, or infertility issues with your physician, however it is in your best interest to be honest. These conditions impact your overall health and affect your sex life, relationships, and emotional health.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help you reach your best health.
The following are men's conditions that can be aided through acupuncture:

• Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, causing pelvic pain and urinary symptoms. Prostatitis has unknown causes, and therefore, can be difficult to treat. Symptoms include pain or burning when urinating, pain in the pelvic area and lower back, and a frequent need to urinate. Studies have shown that herbal therapies and acupuncture are effective in relieving chronic bacterial prostatitis.

• Prostate cancer affects roughly 1 in 6 men in the United States. It is suggested that all men over age 50 get yearly screenings, as the disease responds well to treatment when caught early. Symptoms can include lower back or hip pain, blood in the urine or semen, and urinary problems. TCM and acupuncture can relieve the side effects and boost the health of men with prostate cancer.

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when the prostrate compresses the urethra. It is a very common concern and affects about 50% of men over 60. Symptoms may include difficulty starting to urinate, slowness of the urinary system, frequent urination, and the need to urinate in the middle of the night. Common treatments include medication, self-care techniques, and surgery. Acupuncture supports overall urinary system health and can help restore and rebalance.

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a condition that occurs in most men at some point in their lives; however, ongoing problems may indicate a more serious issue. Causes of ED include diabetes, clogged blood vessels, and heart disease, as well as medications, anxiety, depression, and stress. Treatments include medications, medical devices, and surgery. The benefit of acupuncture is that it can boost a man's sexual stamina.

• Infertility usually occurs in men because of poor quality or movement or a low concentration of sperm. Acupuncture has been shown in conjunction with Western medicine to improve sperm quality and production and increase the chance of success. Acupuncture and TCM also may help both the man and woman handle the emotional stress when having difficulty conceiving.

• Male depression can manifest itself through feelings of irritability, frustration, fatigue, loss of interest in work and social life, and sleep disturbances. Stress and anxiety can be reduced and the mind and body calmed through acupuncture.

• Male menopause (MM), also known as androgen decline, includes symptoms such as mood changes, depression, sexual problems, and fatigue. Herbal therapy and acupuncture can help men as they age and alleviate signs of MM.

What can you expect during your treatment?

Your practitioner will note your health history and perform an exam to determine the cause of your health concerns. A treatment plan will be designed for you to restore your body to its natural balance.
Fine, sterile needles will be inserted at specific points of the body during treatment to restore the balance of energy. In addition to acupuncture, your practitioner may include nutritional and herbal remedies in your treatment plan.

© 2012 Deborah Farley, L.Ac, CHHC, DOM

What Are The Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?

What Are the Most Common Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?

Because of the prostate's location in the body (located just below the bladder in the lower pelvis), urinary symptoms are common warning signs that something is wrong with the prostate.
As urine empties out of the bladder, it travels through a thin tube called the urethra. At the very beginning of the urethra, just as it exits the bladder, it passes directly through the prostate. As the prostate enlarges due to cancer or another problem, the urethra is pinched tighter and tighter within the prostate. As the tube narrows, urine has a much harder time making its way through the urethra and out of the body.

Urinary warning signs that something could be wrong with the prostate include:

• Frequency - urinating much more often than normal.
• Urgency - having a sensation that you need to urinate immediately.
• Nocturia - getting up to urinate multiple times during the night.
• Hesitancy - difficulty starting the urine stream.

Prostate cancer is not the only disease that can cause the prostate to swell, however. In fact, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a much more common cause of an enlarged prostate, and thus, of urinary symptoms. BPH is not cancer, but is still an important condition that should be treated by a physician.

What Are Other Less Common Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?

The urinary problems discussed above are among the most common experienced by men with prostate cancer. However, they are not the only ones. Other less common warning signs include:

• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the semen
• New-onset erectile dysfunction (impotence)
• Bone pain (especially in the lower back, hips, or ribs)
• Loss of bladder control

When Should I Go to See My Doctor?

The answer to this question is simple. Visit your physician and explain your situation whenever you first begin to experience any of these symptoms. It is especially important for African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer to see their physicians, as these two groups have much higher rates of prostate cancer.

The warning signs listed above are almost always abnormal and all need to be evaluated by a physician. This is especially true if these warning signs appear suddenly. Your doctor can use very simple examinations and laboratory tests to determine whether your symptoms are due to prostate cancer, another serious disease, or a less dangerous condition.