prostate header graphic
Prostate Problem Guide

The Dangers Posed By Prostatic Cancer

You have only to look at the statistics to realize that prostatic cancer is a major problem for the world's male population.

In the United States alone a man will be diagnosed as having prostatic cancer every two and a half minutes. That's pretty close to a quarter of a million American men who will be diagnosed with prostatic cancer this year!

Prostatic cancer is now the most commonly seen form of cancer in American men and is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This year alone prostatic cancer is expected to claim the lives of more than 30,000 American men.

The dangers posed by prostatic cancer are very real and yet, strangely enough, a large percentage of the deaths we will see this year from prostatic cancer could have been avoided. But perhaps things are starting to change.

In recent years we have seen the deaths of a number of prominent individuals from prostatic cancer and, perhaps more importantly, have witnessed other well know figures talking openly and publicly about their own experiences of battling and overcoming this disease. And herein lies the problem.

Get a group of men together and they'll happily talk about sport or politics or even sex, but when it comes to personal matters concerning their own sexual organs and, in particular problems in that department, they won't say a word. They probably won't even mention it to their partners and certainly wouldn't dream of discussing it with their doctor. But why?

Terms often used when talking about prostate cancer:

BLOOD COUNT: analysis of blood cells and platelets; abnormal values can indicate cancer in the bone or side effects of therapy.

H-2 BLOCKERS: blockers of histamine, a substance responsible for gastric acidity among other functions.

PROLACTIN (PRL): a trophic hormone produced by the pituitary that increases androgen receptors, increases sensitivity to androgens and regulates the production and secretion of citrate.

RADIATION ONCOLOGIST: a physician who has received special training regarding the treatment of cancers with different types of radiation.

If you've got cramp in your legs, are having problems gripping things with your hand or are suffering from repeated headaches you'll happily pop along and see the doctor. But, if you're having problems with your waterworks you'll put up with it in the hope that it'll go away by itself or simply put it down to the inevitable consequence of getting older.

In many cases prostatic cancer is slow to develop and in its early stages is confined to the prostate gland and can be treated relatively easily. Left to its own devices however it will eventually spread and can move out of the prostate gland and literally travel throughout the body. At that stage treatment is extremely difficult and the vast majority of deaths occur in men with advanced prostatic cancer which has spread outside of the prostate gland.

Once you pass the ago of 50 you are risk from a variety of prostatic problems, including prostatic cancer, and, to put it bluntly, you're a fool if you start to experience problems with your waterworks and simply choose to ignore them.

If problems start to appear then call in and see your doctor.

Further information on prostatic cancer:

Real Men Get Prostate Cancer - New York Times Blogs


New York Times Blogs

Real Men Get Prostate Cancer
New York Times Blogs, NY - 15 hours ago
Hormone therapy to shrink or slow the growth of prostate cancer is one of the most common treatments for the disease. New York Times editor Dana Jennings, ...

Healthy Living: Aspirin may lower prostate cancer risk, Gulf War ... - KSBY


Healthy Living: Aspirin may lower prostate cancer risk, Gulf War ...
KSBY, CA - Nov 18, 2008
They found those who took aspirin had a nine percent reduction in their PSA level, a marker for prostate cancer. But experts don't know if aspirin is ...

Aspirin may mask prostate cancer, study hints - Reuters


TopNews

Aspirin may mask prostate cancer, study hints
Reuters - Nov 17, 2008
This raises concern that aspirin use may hamper the ability to detect early-stage prostate cancer, by lowering PSA levels "below the level of clinical ...
Aspirin could treat prostate cancer – or just mask symptoms Scotsman
Aspirin May Lower PSA Ivanhoe
More erection pills for cancer patients Sydney Morning Herald
Pharmacy Europe - Glasgow Daily Record
all 47 news articles

Rally calls for increase in prostate cancer research funding - Daily Examiner


Rally calls for increase in prostate cancer research funding
Daily Examiner, Australia - 6 hours ago
IT has started out as a quiet protest in Grafton, but hopefully the call for more government funding for prostate cancer research will grow into a roar that ...