The Most Common Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Friday July 22, 2011
What are the most common symptoms of prostate cancer?
The most common symptoms of prostate cancer relate to problems with urinating. The prostate gland is located just under the bladder and wraps around the beginning of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body). When cancer or BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) cause the prostate to enlarge there are numerous urinary symptoms that can develop. These are often the first symptoms of prostate cancer.
There are a number of less common symptoms as well.
There is much more to learn about both common and uncommon symptoms of prostate cancer.
The most common symptoms of prostate cancer relate to problems with urinating. The prostate gland is located just under the bladder and wraps around the beginning of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body). When cancer or BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) cause the prostate to enlarge there are numerous urinary symptoms that can develop. These are often the first symptoms of prostate cancer.
There are a number of less common symptoms as well.
There is much more to learn about both common and uncommon symptoms of prostate cancer.
The Importance of Updating Family Histories
Monday July 18, 2011
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association has highlighted the need for patients to update their family histories on a regular basis, especially when it comes to cancer.
The study showed the importance of an up-to-date family history for obtaining the appropriate cancer screening tests. For example, updating your doctor as to a sibling who has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer may significantly alter your doctor's recommendations for you as to when you should begin screening tests for prostate cancer.
Nearly all types of cancer have a set of screening recommendations for those individuals who are thought to be of normal risk of developing the disease and a second set of recommendations for those who are thought to be of high risk of developing the disease. One of the most common reasons for being considered "high risk" is to have a close family member (or multiple family members) who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Prostate cancer is well known to have a strong familial risk factor and it is important to let your doctor know when/if someone in your family is diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The study showed the importance of an up-to-date family history for obtaining the appropriate cancer screening tests. For example, updating your doctor as to a sibling who has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer may significantly alter your doctor's recommendations for you as to when you should begin screening tests for prostate cancer.
Nearly all types of cancer have a set of screening recommendations for those individuals who are thought to be of normal risk of developing the disease and a second set of recommendations for those who are thought to be of high risk of developing the disease. One of the most common reasons for being considered "high risk" is to have a close family member (or multiple family members) who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Prostate cancer is well known to have a strong familial risk factor and it is important to let your doctor know when/if someone in your family is diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Combination Treatment May Increase Long-Term Prostate Cancer Survival
Thursday July 14, 2011
A new study has shown that men with early-stage prostate cancer may have improved survival when treated with radiation therapy plus hormone therapy when compared with men treated with radiation therapy alone.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed men for over 10 years who had undergone either radiation therapy alone or radiation therapy plus hormone therapy for their prostate cancer. The results showed that there was an overall significantly increased survival in the men treated with both therapies.
At the time of treatment, the men were categorized into low, medium, and high risk groups. The results showed that men in the low and risk groups showed no definite increased survival benefit from the hormone therapy, while the intermediate group did.
Of concern, the men who were treated with both radiation therapy and hormone therapy reported increased rates of erectile dysfunction than those treated with radiation alone.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed men for over 10 years who had undergone either radiation therapy alone or radiation therapy plus hormone therapy for their prostate cancer. The results showed that there was an overall significantly increased survival in the men treated with both therapies.
At the time of treatment, the men were categorized into low, medium, and high risk groups. The results showed that men in the low and risk groups showed no definite increased survival benefit from the hormone therapy, while the intermediate group did.
Of concern, the men who were treated with both radiation therapy and hormone therapy reported increased rates of erectile dysfunction than those treated with radiation alone.
New, Expensive Prostate Cancer Treatments Getting Lots of Attention
Tuesday July 5, 2011
In the past year and a half, there have been three drugs approved by the FDA for use in men with advanced prostate cancer who have stopped responding to hormone therapy. They are the first new drugs to be approved since 2004 that have been shown to increase the length of survival in men with advanced prostate cancer.
That is, of course, great news for men with prostate cancer.
The drugs have been receiving a great deal of attention both inside and outside the healthcare world not only because they represent significant steps forward in the fight against prostate cancer, but also because they carry very large price tags.
The three drugs (Provenge, Zytiga, and Jevtana) each costs tens of thousands of dollars over the course of just a few months. Additionally, many men may receive more than one of these medications in succession in hopes of further increasing their survival - thus greatly increasing the price tag per patient.
In recent weeks, several prominent media outlets, politicians, and government agencies have cast their attention on these new, expensive prostate cancer treatments. Expect much more scrutiny of pricey treatments in the coming months as increasing health care costs become even more center stage for the U.S.
That is, of course, great news for men with prostate cancer.
The drugs have been receiving a great deal of attention both inside and outside the healthcare world not only because they represent significant steps forward in the fight against prostate cancer, but also because they carry very large price tags.
The three drugs (Provenge, Zytiga, and Jevtana) each costs tens of thousands of dollars over the course of just a few months. Additionally, many men may receive more than one of these medications in succession in hopes of further increasing their survival - thus greatly increasing the price tag per patient.
In recent weeks, several prominent media outlets, politicians, and government agencies have cast their attention on these new, expensive prostate cancer treatments. Expect much more scrutiny of pricey treatments in the coming months as increasing health care costs become even more center stage for the U.S.
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