Search Results for: blog talking to your doctor about prostate cancer

The State of Texas Wants to Cure Cancer

The Lone Star State is looking to become a leader in cancer research and prevention over the next ten years — and is investing three billion dollars to do it. That three billion dollars would make Texas the holder of the second largest bank of cancer research funds in the nation — second only to the National Cancer Institute. And Texas is already home to some leaders in the fight against cancer, like the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The idea to create the Cancer Prevention and … Continue reading →

Prostate Cancer May Not Need Treatment

Thanks to advanced screening techniques, millions of men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Back in 1986, a prostate-cancer specific antigen (PSA) blood test gave doctors a new way to check for tumors and catch them relatively early. But not all of them may need aggressive treatment. New research from the VA Outcomes Group in Vermont indicates that more than a million men may be getting treatment for tumors that are growing too slowly to do any harm. Prostate cancer kills more than two hundred and fifty thousand men around the world each year — it is one of the … Continue reading →

Statins May Help Fight Prostate Cancer

Posted on by

Several recent studies took a look at how cholesterol-fighting statins could help men with prostate cancer… and the results are encouraging. A study from the University of Toronto found that men who took statins prior to prostate surgery had a thirty percent reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence. The researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of statins may be key. More research is necessary to determine the optimal dose and length of time a person needs to take statins in order to benefit. Would taking statins after prostate removal be as beneficial? They don’t know just yet. A study … Continue reading →

Veggies Can Help Reduce The Risk of Prostate Problems

A study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found that eating lots of vegetables can reduce your risk of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Benign prostate hyperplasia is a non-cancerous condition. The prostate becomes enlarged, causing problems with urine flow. There are three common causes of prostate problems: BPH, prostate cancer, and prostatitis. The prostate study tracked more than thirty-two thousand male health care workers, and began in 1986. The average age at the start of the study was 51, though participants ranged in age from 46 to 70. The first phase of the study was a … Continue reading →

Talking To Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can be frightening. The shock of the doctor’s words may make you feel unsettled, nervous, or angry. You might not think to ask certain important questions — I know my brain shuts down when I hear the word “cancer”. The following list of questions may help you talk to your doctor about prostate cancer and what happens next. How reliable are the tests that gave you this diagnosis? What tests were used? A digital rectal exam? A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test? What stage is this cancer in? What does that mean — is it … Continue reading →

Suggested Health Screening Tests for Men

Okay guys… it’s not always easy to talk about health stuff. A lot of times, “toughing it out” can be tempting — rather than visit the doctor and go through a lot of weird tests. But regular screenings can help catch bad stuff early… and the earlier you catch stuff, the easier it can be to treat. If your doctor is anything like my doctor, you probably get your blood pressure checked every time you visit the office. If not, you should probably get your blood pressure checked every other year or so. There can be a couple different causes … Continue reading →

Grilling Gone Wrong

My once picky preschooler is now a bonafide foodie with an insatiable taste for all things grilled. And I’m not talking about cheese sandwiches. My mini gourmet is especially fond of filet mignon, Kalbi, marinated chicken and brisket grilled just to the point where each meaty morsel melts in her mouth. Talking to my kindergartner you’d think that I was a pretty darn good cook given her passion for perfectly grilled meat. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my wizardry with open flames that got her hooked on seared sirloin. That honor is split equally among the chefs at our favorite Japanese, Korean … Continue reading →

Testosterone May Help Treat Osteoporosis

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston are looking at testosterone therapy for older men with osteoporosis. The research team worked with thirteen men with low testosterone levels between the ages of sixty and eighty-five for five months. Some men received weekly testosterone injections; others received weekly injections of testosterone every other month. A third group received placebo injections. When compared with the placebo group, the men who received testosterone injections had reduced bone loss over the five month period. Thirteen subjects is a pretty small sample, but researchers believe the findings are worth another look. If … Continue reading →

Real Men…

In honor of Father’s Day and Men’s Health Week, let’s take a look at what makes a real, healthy man. Real men have feelings. You don’t have to be the strong, silent hero. If something hurts or doesn’t feel right, talk to your doctor! Real men have a support network. Family, friends, coworkers — people you can turn to if you need help and people who look to sometimes you for help. A true support network should be a give-and-take. Real men go to the doctor. A yearly check-up will help you catch any possible health problems early — when … Continue reading →

Do Men Get Hot Flashes Too?

Believe it or not, some men can be just as troubled by hot flashes as some women. For women, hot flashes usually come in association with menopause. Menopause is when estrogen levels drop in a woman’s body, causing all sorts of changes. For men, hot flashes are associated with androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Prostate cell growth is stimulated by testosterone. If you reduce hormone levels or block hormone action in the body, it can help make radiation therapy for prostate cancer more effective. As much as eighty percent of men who receive androgen deprivation therapy end up experiencing … Continue reading →