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Prostate Cancer Prostate
cancer is the most common type of cancer in men in the United States
(other than skin cancer). Like
any cancer, prostate cancer involves the abnormal and uncontrolled
growth of cells. Benign
porstatic hyperplasia (BPH) is
a condition affecting the prostate that also involves abnormal cell
growth, but this condition is not cancerous for this reason: the cells
do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body
(metastasis). So, just
because one has an enlarged prostate does not mean
cancer. In fact BPH
affects half the men between 60 and 70 and perhaps 90 percent of men
between the ages of 70 and 90. Symptoms
include difficulty in urination, and incomplete emptying of the bladder.
When severe enough, surgery is performed to “open up” the
lumen in the prostate so that urine flows freely. What
is the prostate gland? The
prostate gland is a male sex gland, about the size of a walnut.
It produces part of the fluid that forms semen.
The urethra (the tube running from the kidney to the opening of
the penis) passes through the prostate gland. Symptoms
of bladder cancer are similar to BPH, and are listed by the National
Cancer Institute as the following. Keep in mind that the following does
not indicate a diagnosis of cancer.
It indicates the need for further tests. · A need to urinate frequently, especially at night; · Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine; · Inability to urinate; · Weak or interrupted flow of urine; · Painful ejaculation · Blood in urine or semen; and/or ·
Frequent pain or stiffness in the
lower back, hips, or upper thighs. When
a patient presents with the above symptoms, the urologist (a doctor who
specializes in the urinary tract, and the reproductive organs) will
perform other tests, including digital rectal exam, urine tests, and
blood tests including PSA (prostate-specific anigen) and PAP (prostatic
acid phosphatase). If these
tests are suspicious, the doctor may then order further tests such as
ultrasound and cystoscopy (inserting a scope into the urethra which
allows a doctor to visually inspect the urethra and bladder).
Finally, if warranted, the doctor may perform a biopsy (a tissue
sample of the prostate gland). It
is usually the biopsy report that is used to make a definitive diagnosis
of cancer. The important
thing to keep in mind is that many of the symptoms of prostate cancer
may be less serious diseases. However,
it is vital to be examined if symptoms are present.
As with any cancer, an early diagnosis has direct and significant
effect on chances of survival. Current
research indicates that there may be a familial predisposition for
cancer, but further research is needed.
Prostate cancer IS NOT contagious.
Diet, especially a diet high in saturated fat does appear to
predispose to prostate cancer. As
with most cancers, diets high in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables
and low in saturated fats help in prevention. Numerous
studies have looked at the herbal product Saw Palmetto as a possible
preventative supplement. This
research is promising and continues.
The respected Pharmacist’s Letter Natural Medicines
Comprehensive Database has this to say about Saw Palmetto. LIKELY
EFFECTIVE ...when used orally for reducing the symptoms of benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (2,4,7,2732,5094). Multiple clinical studies
lasting up to 48 weeks have shown that saw palmetto significantly
reduces urinary tract symptoms such as nocturia, peak and mean urine
flow, and residual urine volume in patients with BPH (2732). Two studies
indicate that saw palmetto is possibly comparable to finasteride (Proscar)
in efficacy; however, saw palmetto might be better-tolerated
(2732,6424). Improvement can take up to 2 months of treatment (2732).
Clinical studies have used a liposterolic extract of saw palmetto berry
containing 80-90% fatty acids.
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"Alternative Cancer Treatments"
Michael Guthrie,
R.Ph. CGP 2003-2006
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