At one time, an open simple prostatectomy was believed to be the best surgical treatment option for men with a large prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, times are changing, and more advanced options are becoming available. In a new study, investigators looked at robot-assisted versus simple prostatectomy for BPH. An open simple prostatectomy…
Surgery for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) can be a good treatment option for men who don’t want to take medication. While BPH medication can reduce urinary symptoms, some men can have side effects. Others may want to avoid taking daily medication for the rest of their lives. Surgery for BPH can provide a long-term solution…
Is low testosterone a risk factor for prostate cancer? For decades, it has been believed that high testosterone levels contributed to a higher risk of prostate cancer, although that belief has largely been put aside. However, what about low T? According to a study appearing in the December 2010 issue of the Korean Journal of…
Once again researchers are raising a red flag over red meat. A National Cancer Institute study tracked nearly 537,000 adults between 50 and 71, monitoring their diet and health over the course of 16 years. They found those who routinely ate the most processed and unprocessed red meat, such as beef, lamb, and pork, had…
What is a Gleason score? is a question you may ask about this method of grading your prostate cancer. Your Gleason score is an essential component in determining what treatment will be best for your prostate cancer. The Gleason score can be combined with PSA and other clinical findings to predict local or more advanced…
If you are about to undergo surgery for prostate cancer, you likely feel some anxiety about the procedure. One way to cope with this is to become an informed patient. Question your doctor thoroughly about the specific procedure you will undergo. Ask him about how you should prepare for the surgery and what to expect…
When men look for natural supplements for prostatitis and general prostate health, many men stumble upon pygeum. Pygeum is an herbal remedy that is derived from the bark of the African cherry tree, which is also known as Pygeum africanum. Since ancient times, people have been using pygeum to treat bladder problems. In fact, some of…
Vitamin E is not one substance but a group of chemically related substances called tocopherols and tocotrienols. Although alpha-tocopherol is perhaps the most recognized of the eight different vitamin E substances, and the one most often used in vitamin E supplements and in research studies, the gamma-tocopherol form has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties….
Peyronie’s disease is a condition characterized by a mild to severe curvature of the erect penis that can significantly impact sexual function. It’s important for men to understand Peyronie’s disease symptoms and diagnosis so they find the best treatment options for them. Peyronie’s disease symptoms can include pain or curve in the penis and plaque…
The results of a new study presented at the 2017 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago report that abiraterone (Zytiga) improves prostate cancer survival when it is added to hormone therapy at the beginning of treatment for the disease. An improvement of 37 percent was seen in the trial, which was known as STAMPEDE (Systemic Therapy in…
Reflexology is an ancient healing art that can be used as an alternative treatment for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). It is based on the concept that the body is divided into different zones and applying pressure to one area of a zone can relieve pain and symptoms somewhere else in that same zone….
Pygeum, a derivative from the bark of the Prunus africana tree, has a long history of use as a folk cure for bladder problems, but in more recent times pygeum has been used to treat BPH and prostatitis. The bark contains phytosterols, which can inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that increases the…
Finasteride (Proscar) is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) as well as male pattern baldness. When scientists noticed that finasteride inhibited the conversion of testosterone to DHT (a hormone that fuels prostate tumor growth), they initiated a study called the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) in the early 1990s. (Thompson 2003)…
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating disease that leads to the death of nerve cells and the loss of tissue throughout the brain. As Alzheimer’s progresses, the patient’s brain tissue shrinks. The chambers (ventricles) in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid get larger. This brain damage affects the communication between the brain cells, leading to problems…
Curcumin, the turmeric component that gives curry its kick, may also give something else a boost: the benefits of chemotherapy. A new study is currently underway that is testing the ability of curcumin to boost the effects of chemotherapy in people with colon cancer. Curcumin has been turning up increasingly in labs and clinical studies…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has made a groundbreaking, and potentially lifesaving, announcement concerning the link between eating meat and the development of cancer, including colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. Specifically, WHO researchers (the Working Group) concluded that eating 50 grams (1.8 oz) of processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, beef jerky, and…
What not to do before a PSA test includes a list of things to avoid doing before a PSA test because they can affect your results. To preserve and maintain prostate health, men are urged to get a PSA (prostate specific antigen) screening test. PSA testing is just one tool men can choose to help them…
Saw Palmetto vs Flomax for chronic prostatitis is something many men who are looking for treatment for prostatitis ask about. Chronic prostatitis is a challenging condition to treat: just ask any man who suffers with this prostate disorder and its many symptoms. Now a new study has compared saw palmetto and tamsulosin (Flomax) in chronic prostatitis treatment,…
An elevated PSA may indicate prostate cancer, but it can also be the result of many other situations. In fact, most men who have a high PSA do not have prostate cancer. Even so, a low PSA is generally best, so here are 10 ways to reduce your PSA levels. 10 Ways to Reduce Your…
Ice packs can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). They provide an affordable, alternative, drug-free treatment that patients can do at home simply by placing a small ice pack on the perineal area between the scrotum and anus. Ice Packs for Prostatitis and Other Alternative Treatments Some men…
