A directory of prostate cancer. Links to information about prostate cancer treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, screening, clinical trials and more.

Posts Tagged ‘Health’

Useful Tips For Great Prostate Health

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

For the first 50 years of your life your prostate health should be fine providing you live the right kind of lifestyle. Prostate health is one of the most important aspects of a man’s health and is essential in the prevention of a number of conditions that can affect it. Even after the age of 50 most men only suffer from non-cancerous conditions because the human body is designed to stop most cases of cancer before they even start i.e. mutated cells are killed by the immune system before even the smallest of tumours can form. Unfortunately however these protective processes can be affected by the way we live our lives and so in one way continued prostate health is dependent on a number of factors.

It is important that you try to maintain your overall health and a sensible weight because obesity is one of the leading risk factors associated with bad prostate health and in particular prostate cancer. Obesity is often caused by a bad diet i.e. one containing large amounts of saturated fat and dairy products, in combination with a general lack of exercise. These are two factors that can easily be changed so that general fitness levels remain high and prostate health is maintained.

Eating a diet high in fruit and fresh vegetables will help to keep your immune system at its peak because many common types of produce contain antioxidants which are thought to get eliminate potentially harmful free radicals from the body. Exercise strengthens the body and makes it harder for infections to take hold. Exercise does not have to involve an expensive gym; you can go for a jog or join in with an exercise video. Anything that increases your heart rate and burns excess fat will ultimately help to ensure continued prostate health.

Smoking cigarettes or any nicotine containing product can also seriously affect your overall health and the health of your prostate gland. Nicotine is a known carcinogenic i.e. cancer-causing chemical, and ingesting it on a daily basis can have severe effects on both your immune system and many of the systems that make up your body. While nicotine affects the respiratory system more than the rest of the body, prostate health can also suffer as a result of smoking. You should also make an effort to learn the signs and symptoms commonly associated with bad prostate health such as urinary problems and penile dysfunction. By knowing what to look for you can spot potential problems before they become a nuisance and while they can still be treated with ease.

Maintaining a healthy prostate is still the best way to avoid having to undergo strenuous treatment tactics to manage these problems. In the past few years, supplements for prostate health have been made available to help men minimize their chances of developing any of these disorders. Maintaining good prostate health is ultimately down to you and making a few small changes to the way you live your life can greatly reduce the chances of you developing a potentially lethal prostate condition. Get regular medical check-ups, especially if you are over the age of 50 and do not be too embarrassed to visit the doctor if you do start to experience symptoms. It may just save your life after all.

Ways To Protect Prostate Health

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

When you begin to get older, many men begin to wonder about their prostate health. For men over the age of 40, prostate problems are common. Prostate health is all over the news and media, and you may even know someone that has been diagnosed with prostate cancer over the past few years. If you are worried about your prostate health, or want to find out ways to help protect it, you have come to the right place. You must understand what the prostate actually is. It is a sexual gland, about the size of a walnut that is located around the base of the bladder and urethra. It essentially, hugs the tube that carries urine out of your body. This partially muscular, partially glandular organ produces a slightly alkaline substance that is present in semen.

It is important to understand that there are many problems with prostate health that aren’t life threatening. So if you feel that you may have a problem with your prostate, usually shown by a difficulty to urinate, it is important that you seek medical advice. Prostate disease is a condition that can vary from individual to individual. Some simply have an infection that can be treated with medication; others have an inflammation of the prostate tissue, while others simply have an enlargement of the prostate gland. While all of these many indicate cancer at a latter point, they don’t necessarily mean cancer right off the bat. Getting a diagnosis is the first step to improving your prostate health. Your doctor may perform one or more of the following tests to access the situation. Most of them are painless or may only be uncomfortable. Discuss your options with your doctor if you have a low threshold for pain.

DRE (Digital Rectal Examination). The physician will fell the prostate manually to look for enlargements and problems. PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) testing. Your doctor will do a simple blood test to determine your level of PSA. Small amounts are normal, but large amounts could indicate a problem. TRUS (Transrectal Ultrasound). This test uses wave echoes to create an image of the prostate. Cystoscopy- where the doctor looks through the urethra with a thin, lighted tube. Biopsy- a small tissue sample is collected from the area and studied.

The key to preserving your prostate health is go get proper treatment early on. Many men are ashamed to seek treatment, which can ultimately lead to further complications. Prostate disease and cancer are easily treated as long as you get diagnosed early on. At the first sign of pain or discomfort contact your doctor immediately. Maintaining good prostate health is entirely up to you. Making a few small changes to your lifestyle can greatly reduce the chances of you developing a potentially lethal prostate condition. You should always go for regular medical check-ups, especially if you are over 50 years of age. Do not be embarrassed about seeking for medical help if you should experience symptoms of poor prostate health.