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The Prostate, What YOU Don't Know Could Kill You!by: Jeff Cuckson "Prostate cancer is a major killer of men!" How is it then that in a poll 96% of men knew nothing at all about the prostate gland. Prostate Cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer in the USA and UK. Next to lung cancer it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the USA." Women know more about men's health than men do themselves and that's a fact. Why is that? Is it because we find it hard to discuss these things? Is it because it's not macho! From the time that we are young, we are taught that boys have to act tough and shouldn't cry. You must have heard the saying "Big Boys don't cry!" Most of us carry this thought process into adulthood and feel by showing concern for our health, it will be seen as a male weakness. I am guilty of that myself. I know when my prostate troubles began, I knew absolutely nothing about the prostate. I was one of the 96%. Mainly because it didn't cross my mind that I'd ever have any problems. In addition, the prostate is in a "private" area, and it wasn't something I wanted to examine. Many people, including myself, feel uncomfortable talking about the prostate, since the gland plays a role in both sex and urination. I have had prostate troubles, survived a cancer scare and watched my sister die from Cancer. Believe me, when I say that when you think you are going to die, it concentrates your mind on what is really important. Suddenly your priorities get focused. Due to my prostate troubles, I became interested in learning about the prostate and how it affected my health. I cried the day they took a biopsy and I cried with relief the day I was told it was benign. I cried many times as I watched my sister die. I got so frustrated having to get up every night 3-4 times due to my prostate troubles and then finding I couldn't get back to sleep. What is prostate cancer? Prostate Cancer develops by the growth of cancerous cells within the prostate gland. Prostate cancer occurs when some of the cells that make up the prostate gland escape from the normal controls on their growth and start to divide, grow and spread in an uncontrolled manner. In its advanced form, it can produce the same symptoms as BPH. (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) Warning Signs Early prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms. When symptoms of prostate cancer do occur, they may include some of the following problems: A need to urinate frequently, especially at night; Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine; Inability to urinate; Weak or interrupted flow of urine; Painful or burning urination; Painful ejaculation; Blood in urine or semen; and/or Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs. Any of these symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious health problems, such as BPH or an infection (Prostatitis). Only a doctor can tell the cause. A man who has symptoms like these should see his family doctor . Do not wait to feel pain; early prostate cancer does not cause pain. These are two other main prostate problems 1) BPH - (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is the abnormal growth of benign prostate cells. In an enlarged prostate , the prostate grows larger and pushes against the urethra and bladder, blocking the normal flow of urine. BPH is often the result of prostatitis. 2) Prostatitis refers to prostate inflammation and infection, which can be brief or long-lasting, mild or severe symptoms can include frequent, urgent and painful urination, erectile problems or pain during ejaculation. Prostatitis is rampant in the US, affecting at least 80% of American men. Most is without major symptoms. Prostate enlargement, called Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) is often the result of prostatitis. Treatment for Prostate Cancer The treatment given for prostate cancer depends on how advanced or widespread the disease is. If the cancer is small and only present within the prostate gland, it is possible to treat it with surgery (radical prostatectomy) radiotherapy (either external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy) hormone therapy I sincerely hope that this article can be of use to you, your partner, someone in your family or indeed a close friend. Health to me is both physical and mental. The two cannot be separated. May I leave you with what I regard the finest bits of advice for life *************************************** If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me." ...........Ann Landers **************************************** I wish you perfect health and piece of mind in all that you do . Jeff Cuckson webmaster@backtobetterhealth.com **************************************** Discover Real People With Stories Of Success In Getting Back To Good Health. Go Visit NOW at! http://www.backtobetterhealth.com *************************************** Latest Cancer News:Cancer drug dramatically shrinks prostate tumors, study finds (Los Angeles Times) The survival rate more than doubles among most of the men with aggressive cancers. A second, wider test shows similar results. 'Spectacularly effective,' a researcher says. An experimental cancer drug shrank prostate tumors dramatically and more than doubled survival in 70% to 80% of patients with aggressive cancers, British researchers reported Tuesday. Symphony director's kidney cancer removed (CNN.com) BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- A growth on a kidney removed from conductor James Levine was malignant, but doctors say the cancer was caught early and no further treatment is needed, the Boston Symphony Orchestra said in a statement Tuesday. More Cancer Lymph Nodes Analyzed at Specialty Centers (HealthDay via Yahoo! News) TUESDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with stomach or pancreatic cancer may have more lymph nodes examined for the spread of cancer if they're treated at designated comprehensive cancer centers or at hospitals that do a high number of cancer surgeries, says a U.S. study. Advance vs. prostate cancer (Denver Post) An experimental cancer drug shrank prostate tumors dramatically and more than doubled survival in 70 percent to 80 percent of patients with aggressive cancers, British researchers reported Tuesday. Drug combats untreatable prostate cancer (UPI) LONDON, July 22 (UPI) -- The Phase 1 clinical trial of the drug abiraterone revealed significant tumor shrinkage in men with advanced prostate cancer, researchers in Britain said. Cancer society bus coming to Naperville, Schaumburg (Daily Herald) The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is on tour, encouraging people to get involved in the political end of the fight against a disease that ranks among the top killers in the country. Prostate cancer drug hailed as breakthrough (The New Zealand Herald) A new prostate cancer drug showing stunning results in Britain could successfully treat hundreds of New Zealand men. Breast cancer survivor to speak at conference (The Press-Enterprise) RIVERSIDE - Nikia Hammonds-Blakely, who survived breast cancer at age 16, will speak about her struggle at the fourth annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference on Saturday at Cal Baptist University. Rise in breast cancer among Native women may be leveling (Anchorage Daily News) A mysterious 30-year-long increase in breast cancer rates among Alaska Native women may finally be leveling off -- after tripling between 1969 and 1998. A relaxing way to help fight breast cancer (Daily Herald) When Amy Tabisz was 18 years old her mother died of breast cancer. Celebs That Cancer Can't Hold Back - ABC News
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