The recent and ongoing controversy concerning the standard PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and its less than desirable accuracy in detecting prostate cancer and resulting in unnecessary prostate biopsies have fueled the desire for a better way to detect prostate cancer. One possibility is ProstateCheck, an alternative to standard PSA testing, which its makers say can…
Use of intermittent hormone therapy for prostate cancer is a common practice because treatment is associated with significant side effects, and going off the drug occasionally helps men get relief from those adverse effects. However, a new study shows men get the most benefit from continuous hormone therapy rather than intermittent therapy. Men who undergo hormone…
The cost of a vasectomy reversal is greater than that of the original vasectomy itself. In fact, a vasectomy reversal is a more complex and time-consuming surgical procedure than a vasectomy. The cost of a vasectomy reversal will vary depending on which procedure the surgeon performs (a vasovasostomy or an epididymovasostomy), the area of the…
The treatment that many U.S. cancer patients receive to kill their cancer may actually enhance its growth. You don’t need to be told that chemotherapy is highly toxic stuff. This poison kills cells—both the cancer cells and healthy cells. But people may be surprised to learn that chemotherapy actually can boost cancer growth. Researchers made…
Cayenne peppers provide capsaicin, a substance that has demonstrated its cancer fighting abilities in several areas. In one laboratory study from 2007, for example, capsaicin slowed the growth of prostate cancer cells and prompted apoptosis (cell suicide), while a subsequent study found similar results regarding apoptosis and prostate cancer cells. The authors of a 2016…
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not a cancerous condition, but the symptoms can greatly interfere with your daily life. If you experience inadequate urinary flow, frequent urination, incomplete bladder emptying, or other urinary symptoms, talk to your doctor about treatments for an enlarged prostate. One option is taking a compound called beta-sitosterol for BPH, which can…
The term probiotics refers to the yeasts and “good,” or beneficial, microorganisms, bacteria, and gut microflora that normally reside in balance with other bacteria in the intestinal tract. Probiotics help with digestion and offer protection against harmful bacteria. The largest group of beneficial bacteria in the gut are those in the genus Lactobacillus, followed by…
The results of a small study of ibuprofen and testosterone suggest that taking this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug can change metabolism of the hormone. Although taking this commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) drug did not significantly alter testosterone levels, it did cause a change in the ratio of testosterone to luteinizing hormone (LH) and a condition known…
A component in fish may stop prostate cancer from spreading, and it could be beneficial in other cancers as well. That’s the word from researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who identified a protein in Pacific cod that may interfere with prostate cancer metastasis. Prostate cancer that is localized, that is, has…
Choosing to undergo radical prostatectomy is a major decision for men who have prostate cancer, but one some men regret later. Are men satisfied with prostatectomy results and if not, what could change that situation? According to a panel of medical experts at the American Urological Association’s Annual Meeting in May-June 2010, men who participate…
You’ve probably heard the adage, “Feed a fever, starve a cold,” but how would that saying go if you were talking about cancer? A scientific team from the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Department of Biological Sciences and Mechanobiology Institute might say you could starve cancer to stop it, based on their new discovery. Cancer…
The best diet for heart health is likely the Mediterranean diet, according to the results of the PREDIMED study. Men who want to support their cardiovascular health and prevent heart health related events such as heart attack should follow the Mediterranean diet with a few essential supplemental items. What is the Mediterranean diet? Here is…
Scientists say a new genetic test could predict aggressive prostate cancer, but it will be a few years before doctors may be offering this option. If the new screening test does become a reality, the ability to predict aggressive prostate cancer would be a major step in the fight against this disease. The groundwork for…
Many men take pollen for prostatitis treatment as a natural option for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Graminex pollen extracts are standardized extracts of rye grass pollen (Secale cereal), corn pollen (Zea mays), and timothy pollen (Phleum pretense). You’ll also find them under the name Cernilton. Many men looking for a natural approach turn to pollen extracts for…
Risk factors for cancer seem to be everywhere these days. Every time you turn around there is a new cancer warning. But there are some definite lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of cancer. Here is our list of top 12 ways to reduce your risk of cancer. Don’t smoke or use…
What is the association between testosterone replacement therapy and advanced prostate cancer? Until now, previous research has indicated that use of TRT is associated with a higher risk of advanced (aggressive) disease, yet the authors of a new study have reported a novel finding—a lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer after one year of testosterone…
In order to understand prostate cancer and immunotherapy treatment, you need to learn a little bit about the progression and standard treatment of prostate cancer. In the United States, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men with more than 200,000 new cases and more than 27,000 deaths annually. In some…
If you are a soda drinker, it may be time to rethink your drink. An advocacy organization has brought to light some studies which indicate that the caramel coloring used in dark soft drinks and some foods are known to be carcinogens in mice and rats. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has…
It appears that men with prostatitis get prostate cancer more often than men without the inflammatory condition. For now, however, there is no direct evidence that having prostatitis increases a man’s risk of developing or eventually dying from prostate cancer. Before we look at the relationship between prostatitis and prostate cancer, an understanding of prostatitis…
Yoga is an exercise and alternative treatment that offers many benefits for men who have chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Yoga involves stretching the body and getting into different poses while concentrating on breathing, keeping it slow and controlled. It helps prostatitis patients to relieve stress, increase blood flow, and help with strength and…
