Compared with white men, African-American men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer in their early 50s and twice as likely to die of the disease. (American Cancer Society) They are also more likely to be in an advanced stage of the disease when diagnosed. (Winterich 2009). Recent findings released at the American Urological…
Pop quiz time: What substance is spicy and delicious, fights inflammation, and may stop prostate cancer in its tracks? Give up? It’s curcumin, the polyphenol found in the popular spice turmeric and the component that gives curry its kick. Many men are taking an interest in both turmeric and curcumin for prostate cancer and prostatitis….
A new study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital has shown that black men and white men have different outcomes following prostatectomy (prostate surgery). The good news is that one factor regarding prostatectomy outcomes that did not differ between blacks and whites—in-hospital mortality rates were similar. Although this study is the first to explore racial…
I have written about several health choices that can affect prostate cancer (PCa) outcomes: diet and nutrition, supplements, exercise, and caffeine. In this blog, I want to share the results of a recent Italian study on how smoking affects long term PCa survival. It’s pretty much like a skull-and-crossbones on a bottle of poison. The…
Cancer typically progresses through a series of phases or stages, and prostate cancer is no exception. It’s important for men to understand what constitutes each of the four stages of prostate cancer so they can better appreciate their treatment options and prognosis. The four stages of prostate cancer are indications of how far the cancer…
If your doctor has diagnosed you with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), many questions are probably racing through your mind. We hope you get detailed answers to all of them, but in case you don’t, or you don’t ask, or you just want to know more, read on. What is prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia? PIN is a…
Most experts admit that it’s a mystery why some prostate cells turn cancerous. However, researchers have identified some risk factors for prostate cancer, most of which you can control. Age (and Prostate Cancer) Just being on the planet for 65 years or longer is considered to be the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. That’s…
When it comes time to undergo prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer, it may be good to know that robot-assisted radical prostatectomy won hands down over open prostatectomy, according to an analysis of a national database. The evaluation covered surgery for prostate cancer performed from October 2008 to December 2009. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is the newest type…
Prostate cancer risk in BPH patients was the focus of a new study presented at the 28th Annual EAU Congress in Milan, Italy. The study evaluated the genetic predisposition of men with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) to develop prostate cancer. BPH affects at least half of all men age 50 and older,…
Abiraterone (Zytiga), a hormone therapy drug approved for treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, may also help eliminate localized high-risk prostate cancer, according to researchers who will present their findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago June 1-5, 2012. Most hormone therapy drugs for prostate cancer work by inhibiting androgen production in the…
If your doctor has recommended that you undergo a prostate biopsy to examine your tissues for prostate cancer, you’re probably reading everything you can find on the procedure. It’s important to become an informed patient. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect during the procedure. Every man’s experience is different. For some it…
Weight gain increases prostate cancer recurrence risk among men who have undergone a prostatectomy when compared with men who maintain a normal weight postsurgery, according to a Johns Hopkins study. This finding suggests men should make efforts to avoid weight gain as a way to help prevent the return or reemergence of prostate cancer. Investigators…
As the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. However, a common over-the-counter product, the humble aspirin, may help keep the urologist away by helping prevent prostate cancer (PCa). A presentation at the January, 2016 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (GuCS) in San Francisco reveals some good news, but with a few cautions. Data…
An international team of scientists has successfully used a human vaccine to cure prostate cancer in mice, and without side effects. Results of the revolutionary study, which appear in the journal Nature Medicine, herald the potential for a way to eliminate prostate cancer in men, should future studies prove the vaccine also works in humans….
Can eating or drinking soy prevent prostate cancer recurrence? One study says no. Many men eat or drink soy products every day to prevent prostate cancer recurrence after surgical removal of the prostate, but a study found that there is no benefit to this practice. The report was published in the Journal of the American Medical…
The prostate gland is called upon to participate in many tasks that affect the urinary tract, sexual function, reproductive health, and overall health as well. At the same time, the prostate is susceptible to problems, including enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH), prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), and prostate cancer. Therefore it’s important to support…
George Burns made people smile when he said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” Who doesn’t love the idea of staying young at heart? But staying young in body is another matter. For example, urinary tract infections (UTIs) like bladder infections are rare in men younger than 50, but…
Cayenne pepper, also known as chili peppers, African pepper, capsicum fruit, and Zanzibar pepper, is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum, which is related to jalapenos, paprika, and bell peppers. These peppers contain a high concentration of capsaicin, a substance that has demonstrated an ability to kill prostate cancer cells. Cayenne pepper for prostate cancer Scientists…
The next time you reach for a bottle of ibuprofen or celecoxib (Celebrex), remember the results of this latest study. Finnish researchers have found that use of pain killers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with a 31% increased risk of prostate cancer overall and a 63% increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer…
Men who have prostate cancer can significantly improve their survival if they engage in regular moderate to vigorous exercise, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and the University of California, San Francisco. As little as 90 minutes per week…
