Skin Cancer Treatment Tips

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. It is evaluated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), so a tumor is usually clearly visible. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. It accounts for more than 75 percent of all skin cancers. Squamous cell carcinomas arise from the upper levels of the epidermis, usually on places that have been exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma also can spread internally. They account for about 20 percent of skin cancers in the United States.Melanoma is generally the most serious form of skin cancer because it tends to spread (metastasize) throughout the body quickly.

They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Skin cancer is most closely associated with chronic inflammation of the skin. Sunburn or excessive sun damage, especially early in life. UVA & UVB have both been involved in causing DNA damage resulting in cancer. Chronic non-healing wounds, especially burns.

Treatment for skin cancer and the precancerous skin lesions known as actinic keratoses varies, depending on the size, type, depth and location of the lesions. The best ways to lower the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer are to avoid intense sunlight for long periods of time and to practice sun safety. For low-risk disease, radiation therapy and cryotherapy (freezing the cancer off) can provide adequate control of the disease; both, however, have lower overall cure rates than surgery.

Interferon and interleukin-2 are under study to treat melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin. Wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and hats) when outdoors. Photodynamic therapy destroys skin cancer cells with a combination of laser light and drugs that makes cancer cells sensitive to light. Avoid other sources of UV light. Tanning beds and sun lamps are dangerous because they can damage your skin. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Radiation may destroy basal and squamous cell carcinomas if surgery isn’t an option. Reapply sun block every 2 hours and after swimming. In chemotherapy, drugs are used to kill cancer cells.

Skin Cancer Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Radiation may destroy basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

2. Reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially in early years.

3. Avoiding sun exposure during the day (usually from 10 AM to 3 PM).

4. Wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and hats) when outdoors.

5. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation.

6. Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes.

About the Author:

Juliet Cohen writes articles for women health blog and skin treatment. She also writes articles for hair styles.

Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. It is evaluated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), so a tumor is usually clearly visible. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. It accounts for more than 75 percent of all skin cancers. Squamous cell carcinomas arise from the upper levels of the epidermis, usually on places that have been exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma also can spread internally. They account for about 20 percent of skin cancers in the United States.Melanoma is generally the most serious form of skin cancer because it tends to spread (metastasize) throughout the body quickly.

They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Skin cancer is most closely associated with chronic inflammation of the skin. Sunburn or excessive sun damage, especially early in life. UVA & UVB have both been involved in causing DNA damage resulting in cancer. Chronic non-healing wounds, especially burns.

Treatment for skin cancer and the precancerous skin lesions known as actinic keratoses varies, depending on the size, type, depth and location of the lesions. The best ways to lower the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer are to avoid intense sunlight for long periods of time and to practice sun safety. For low-risk disease, radiation therapy and cryotherapy (freezing the cancer off) can provide adequate control of the disease; both, however, have lower overall cure rates than surgery.

Interferon and interleukin-2 are under study to treat melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin. Wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and hats) when outdoors. Photodynamic therapy destroys skin cancer cells with a combination of laser light and drugs that makes cancer cells sensitive to light. Avoid other sources of UV light. Tanning beds and sun lamps are dangerous because they can damage your skin. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Radiation may destroy basal and squamous cell carcinomas if surgery isn’t an option. Reapply sun block every 2 hours and after swimming. In chemotherapy, drugs are used to kill cancer cells.

Skin Cancer Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Radiation may destroy basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

2. Reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially in early years.

3. Avoiding sun exposure during the day (usually from 10 AM to 3 PM).

4. Wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and hats) when outdoors.

5. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation.

6. Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes.

About the Author:

Juliet Cohen writes articles for women health blog and skin treatment. She also writes articles for hair styles.

Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of cancer, with about a million new cases estimated in the U.S. each year. Basal cells line the deepest layer of the epidermis. Basal cell carcinomas are malignant growths–tumors–that arise in this layer. Cancers caused by UV exposure may be prevented by avoiding exposure to sunlight or other UV sources, wearing sun-protective clothes, and using a broad-spectrum sun screen. Skin cancers are the fastest growing type of cancer in the United States.

The sun is responsible for over 90 percent of all skin cancers. The most common sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, such as a growth or a sore that won’t heal. Sometime there may be a small lump. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It affects deeper layers of the skin and has the greatest potential to spread to other tissues in the body. It is one of the rarer types of skin cancer but causes the majority of skin cancer related deaths. It is more common in caucasian populations living in sunny climates than other groups. Melanoma can also appear on the body as a new mole. Men most often get melanoma on the trunk (the area of the body between the shoulders and hips) or on the head or neck; women most often get melanoma on the arms and legs.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a form of cancer of the carcinoma. This type of cancer is characterized by red, scaly skin that becomes an open sore. Light-colored skin and a history of sun exposure are even more important in predisposing to this kind of cancer than to basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma affects more than 200,000 people in the United States alone every year. Smoking is a significant risk factor. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is often caused by long term exposure to the sun. Other risk factors include sun exposure, radiation therapy, exposure to carcinogens, chronic skin irritation or inflammation, genetic diseases, and presence of premalignant lesions. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually developed in the epithelial layer of the skin.

Treatment for skin cancer and the precancerous skin lesions known as actinic keratoses varies, depending on the size, type, depth and location of the lesions. Radiation therapy and cryotherapy can provide adequate control of the disease; both, however, have lower overall cure rates than surgery. Alternative medicine approaches that endeavor to optimize the capabilities of the immune system against cancer are especially attractive. Avoiding sun exposure in susceptible individuals is the best way to lower the risk for all types of skin cancer. Regular surveillance of susceptible individuals, both by self-examination and regular physical examination, is also a good idea for people at higher risk. People who have already had any form of skin cancer should have regular medical checkups.

About the Author:

Juliet Cohen writes health articles for skin diseases and skin disorders. She also writes articles for health tips.

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Juliet Cohen

Know Your Skin Cancer

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, so a tumor is usually clearly visible. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinomas and most squamous cell carcinomas are slow growing and highly treatable, especially if found early. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It affects deeper layers of the skin and has the greatest potential to spread to other tissues in the body. Squamous cell carcinoma also can spread internally. It is estimated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year, representing a growing public concern. It has also been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common. For localized melanoma, the 5-year survival rate is 99%; survival rates for regional and distant stage diseases are 65% and 15%, respectively.

Skin cancer is an increasingly common condition. This is in part attributed to increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which in turn is thought to be caused by the increased popularity of sun tanning. Solar or actinic keratoses are rough, red or brown, scaly patches on the skin. They are usually found on areas exposed to the sun, and sometimes develop into squamous cell cancer. Moles are clusters of heavily pigmented skin cells, either flat or raised above the skin surface. While most pose no danger, some-particularly large moles present at birth, or those with mottled colors and poorly defined borders-may develop into malignant melanoma. Moles are frequently removed for cosmetic reasons, or because they’re constantly irritated by clothing or jewelry. Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. There are varieties of treatments available, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, to treat skin cancer.

The goals of treatment for skin cancer are to remove all of the cancer, reduce the chance of recurrence, preserve healthy skin tissue, and minimize scarring after surgery. Treatment for skin cancer depends on the type and size of cancer, your age, and your overall health. Surgery is the most common form of treatment. It generally consists of an office or outpatient procedure to remove the lesion and check edges to make sure all the cancer was removed. Most skin cancer removal can be done using a local anesthetic. Excisional biopsy – The entire tumor along with a margin of tissue that is not a visible part of the tumor is removed. Incisional biopsy – A portion of the lesion is removed during an incisional biopsy, which is usually performed when the lesion is large. In cryosurgery, tissue is destroyed by freezing to -40 ° C or below. Liquid nitrogen, the only cryogen effective in destroying malignant and premalignant skin tumors, is used. Radiation may destroy basal and squamous cell carcinomas if surgery isn’t an option. Biological therapy-Interferon and interleukin-2 are under study to treat melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Skin Cancer Treatment Tips

1. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. And 2 p.m. and during the summer months.

2. Excisional skin surgery is a common treatment to remove skin cancer.

3. Mohs surgery (also called Mohs micrographic surgery) is often used for skin cancer. The area of the growth is numbed.

4. Electrodesiccation and curettage is often used to remove small basal cell skin cancers.

5. Cryosurgery is often used for people who are not able to have other types of surgery.

6. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

7. Use a high-factor sunscreen of at least SPF15 that filters out UVB and UVA and reapply it every two hours.

8. Wear protective clothing – a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and loose, tightly woven clothing

About the Author:

Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and women health care. More information on health related topics visit our site at http://www.health-care-articles.info.

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Juliet Cohen

What Are The Prostate Cancer Causes Among Men?

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

Every year, more that 27,000 people are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US only. As this disease affects men worldwide, it is said that this is the type of cancer that most commonly hits men worldwide.

Before dealing with the causes of prostate cancer you should first understand that testosterone does not by itself cause prostate cancer. However, if you do have prostate cancer, the male hormone will feed it thus contributing to its growth. This fact is often used in some kinds of prostate cancer treatments.

The most obvious and most natural risk factor is age. Men under 50 years old are rarely diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is strongly recommended that men who are in their fifties do have a test carried out. Most men of and over 100 years old have prostate cancer.

Genetics are important risk factors when it comes to prostate cancer. If one parent (1st degree relationship such as brother or father) has been diagnosed of prostate cancer, you are much more at risk. Scientists believe that it is the HPC1, HPC2 and HPCX genes that transmit this disease and are closely studying them. If several women in your family have been diagnosed of breast cancer, it could imply that you have inherited of a defective gene making you more at risk.

There is also an ethnic factor associated with prostate cancer. It has been proved that prostate cancer is more common in black American people than Asians. Those who descend from African people are also much more exposed to prostate cancer.

The diet is also a cause of prostate cancer in men though more studies are being carried out nowadays. On one hand, diets which contain many fats such as red meat could lead to prostate cancer. On the other hand, diets which are mainly composed of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes, diminish the risk of getting prostate cancer.

Moreover, it is said that having recourse to a vasectomy might also cause prostate cancer. While some studies have proved it, others have rejected this idea.

The number of treatments and remedies available for prostate cancer keep on increasing daily. Start by informing yourself about the different available options and consult your medical doctor and/or herbalist.

For more information about Prostate Cancer Causes, feel free to visit us at: http://www.prostate-land.com/article-7-Prostate-Cancer-Causes.html

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Arturo Ronzon

What Are The Chances Of Getting Prostate Cancer And What Can Be Done To Prevent It

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

Over the years there has been considerable discussion about prostate cancer and the subject of preventing prostate cancer specifically remains somewhat controversial. Even though, as with most cancers, men are not themselves the cause of the onset of prostate cancer, there are clearly several risk factors for developing the disease and there is a lot that can be done, if not to actually prevent it, then undoubtedly to lessen the risk of developing it.

The initial step in preventing prostate cancer is to understand that you are at risk of developing the condition and to know just why you are at risk.

There is no doubt that men who have a family history of prostate cancer are at greater risk and that the risk for somebody with one close relative having prostate cancer is approximately twice that of somebody without any family history. If you have two close relatives then this risk increases to around five times that of someone with no family history and with three close relatives your risk reaches a staggering ninety-seven percent.

One difficulties here is that many men are unaware of their family history, commonly because many grandfathers, fathers or brothers have died from other illnesses without even knowing they had prostate cancer. This happens because prostate cancer often develops late in life and can be a very slow growing form of cancer. As a consequence there is a very good chance that individuals will develop other conditions at the same time as their prostate cancer and it is these other conditions which ultimately cause their death.

So, if you are uncertain of your family history, then a good point at which to start is to try to check things out if at all possible. If this is not possible, then it is probably best to err on the side of caution and believe that the risk could be there rather than assume that you are in the clear.

The next important factor is that of race. For instance, African American men are at more risk than Hispanic men who, in turn, are at greater risk than Caucasian men. For an African American man the risk is about sixty percent greater than that for a Caucasian man.

Another risk factor is diet and men who live in Western countries such as the US or the UK are at increased risk because of the high levels of fat in many Western diets. Here at last is a risk factor that you can actually do something about and reducing the fat in your diet and eating such things as more fresh fruit and vegetables can lessen your risk quite dramatically.

Now, at this point we begin to get into difficulty as, after the principle of lowering fat in your diet, views start to differ when it comes to other areas of the diet that could be helpful in preventing prostate cancer.

There is very little doubt that levels of such things as minerals and vitamins in your diet can have a significant affect on your general health and will undoubtedly have a role to play in prostate health. But, determining just which minerals and vitamins have a role to play is not a simple matter and is certainly a subject all of its own.

ProstateProblemCenter.com provides information on many prostate problems and their solutions including the problem of an enlarged prostate

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Donald Saunders

The Prostate Cancer Primer

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

There are many today who face the agony of cancer and in particular prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a particularly serious form of cancer. For those who are successfully treated for this form of cancer and survive with nothing more than the battle scars of treatment should consider themselves very lucky.

Advance prostate cancer by its very name seems to suggest that the cancer is in an advanced and possibly incurable stage. This need not be the case. Understanding advance prostate cancer is a very important step towards fighting this vile disease. Although the range of treatments for advance prostate cancer may not be that wide, there is no need to lose hope at this stage. Chemotherapy, surgery and other treatments are may be effective in curing advance prostate cancer.

How Prostate Cancer Develops

The prostate is a very important gland in human male body and it plays a decisive role in his reproductive mechanism. Once the prostate is infected with cancer, the cells begin to multiply uncontrollably and within no time it will infect various other parts of the body, including the bone and the lymph nodes. Prostate pain and difficulty to pass urine are often cited as early signs of prostate cancer. Apart from these other discomforts may also trouble the patient.

Various Treatment Options To Improve Comfort

Unfortunately, it is a fact that prostate cancer may be fatal in many cases. False hopes should not be given to patients of prostate cancer. They should be told that there are a few treatment options available for a cure from the disease. So the focus for the patient suffering from prostate cancer is to improve the quality and comfort of the patient’s remaining lifespan.

The first thing to be done after being diagnosed with prostate cancer is to get in touch with one’s loved ones and to discuss with them about your predicament. Be close with those people with whom you wish to be with so that you feel more comfortable and well cared for.

The main message that should be conveyed to prostate cancer patients is to live their remaining lives with as much dignity and peace as possible. Never loose your hope till the very end since medical science is advancing rapidly. A positive state of mind may help to stave off the agony of prostate cancer and help prolong one’s lifespan.

Early Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer To Be Recognized

Detecting the early symptoms of prostate cancer is very difficult since this illness normally does not cause visible signs or symptoms for many years. Known medically as Aden Carcinoma, prostate cancer is characterized by a cancerous tumor that develops on the prostate gland. This cancer is a leading cause of death in men. Early symptoms of prostate cancer are typically discovered in men over the ages of fifty-five or older. You can asses if you are potentially at risk by studying hereditary, dietary and environmental factors. Detrimental factors that heighten the chances of contracting prostate cancer include a sedentary lifestyle, heavy smoking, diets rich in saturated fatty acid, alcohol consumption, exposure to heavy metals and race.

Getting To Know The Early Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer

Prostate examination is the best way to spot prostate cancer. Normally, prostate cancer does not show any specific symptoms. It unfortunately is detected after the cancer has spread to other internal organs. Sometimes early symptoms of prostate cancer are detected. They include painful urination and ejaculation, interrupted or weak flow of urine and blood in the semen and urine, frequent urination especially at night or even difficulty in urination. Another symptom which develops usually is the pain and stiffness which is experienced in certain parts including the lower back, upper thighs, hips and pelvis. An important aspect to be understood is that these early symptoms of prostate cancer can also indicate a non-cancerous form of the condition.

Confirmation Of Early Symptoms of Prostate Cancer With Certain Tests

Early symptoms of prostate cancer could be detected by two modern methods. The first being the Digital Rectal Exam also known as DRE and the second is Prostate-Specific Antigen also known as PSA. Since the prostate gland is located in front of the rectum, the physician inserts a finger into the rectum for examination in case of DRE. This enables a relatively complete examination of the prostate gland, in particular for any kinds of lumps, bumps or other hard areas on the gland. If the answer is positive, further examinations are conducted to prove whether the gland is cancerous or not. In the case of PSA, the amount of prostate-specific antigen is tested in the patient’s blood. According to expert advice it is highly recommended to have a complete examination done, including both DRE and PSA when the individual becomes fifty.

Medical science has advanced to the stage where effective treatments are constantly being developed to improve the chances of full recovery from prostate cancer. Nothing however beats early detection of prostate cancer. Thus, every man is strongly advised to have his prostate gland checked during his annual medical check up starting from fifty years of age. For those men who may have a genetic predisposition to the illness should begin preemptive screening from his late forties. If any of the common symptoms are experienced do not hesitate to bring them to the attention of a doctor so that treatment can begin and arrest the growth of prostate cancer.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit prostate gland health to learn more about prostate cancer recurrence and other prostate cancer waring signs.

About the Author:
Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit pet insurance plan to learn more about pet health insurance marketing plan and florida pet health insurance.

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Cindy Heller

Seeking a cure for prostate cancer?

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

Prostate cancer, commonly recognized medically as “adenocarcinoma”, is a cancerous tumor situated on the prostate gland and is one of the most widespread types of cancer, thus it is essential to be well-informed about the subject.

Symptoms of prostate cancer occurred because prostate cancer has seeped into your body and it can range from docile to serious. As symptoms are usually not noticeable, detecting it early can be a problem. Usually those at risk can go through their family history, dietary list, issue of environment. Other aspects of risks comprise laidback lifestyle, drinking of alcohol, intense smoking, contact with heavy metals, high saturated fats diet and race.

Keeping yourself knowledgeable can assist you in spotting the symptoms, thus enabling you to consult the physician if it arises. Regular appointment with the physician to get yourself examined is necessary to detect any symptoms so that it can be found early and the requisite treatments applied. As a delay in detecting the symptoms will result in prostate cancer in later stages as it advances quite rapidly. In addition to that, keep to regular exercise and a healthy diet, as it can keep your immunity high in fighting diseases even though there is no guarantee. With close friend and love one, you can overcome prostate cancer.

Knowledge about prostate treatment in general is essential as they are differing types of prostate cancer treatments in the market. Upon consultation with your physician and the needed diagnosis, status and grade of your prostate cancer, selecting the types of treatment and the physician to manage you will depend on quite a few issues. Age, the projected length of your life, your emotions regarding the necessary risks and side-effects in addition to your chances of recovering are the considerations needed for each type of treatments.

Most of the choices available for treatment of this cancer hinge on how far or if the tumor has in actual fact spread beyond the prostate. For tumors that confined themselves within the prostate, a surgical procedure known as radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are the most widespread of treatment alternatives.

Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure for getting rid of the entire prostate gland in addition to those lymph nodes in close proximity and those who undergo this surgical procedure is sedated with general anesthesia. The prostate gland upon removal, a catheter inserted into the bladder through the penis for the purpose of removal of urine until it completely recovered. This procedure provides the greatest assurance of being completely healed from prostate cancer providing the tumors together with whole gland is entirely removed. The possible dangers of choosing this surgical method are impotence and inability to control your bladder (or medically known as incontinence).

Common to all types of surgical procedures, inherent risks and threats to health are there so keep yourself attuned to the danger that blood be lost during this surgical method and remember to store two pints of your own blood.

On the other hand, radiation therapy is a form of prostate cancer treatments that can be categorized into two kinds – external beam and radioactive pellets. External beam is carried out by the use of an x-ray type machine, whereas a radioactive pellet is performed by introduction of elevated amounts of radiation that is directed to the tumor of the prostate. The sad fact is the majority of the patients that have gone through radiation therapy wind up being affected by impotent inside of two years following the therapy.

One of the other techniques offered is the “watchful waiting” but this is usually chosen by elderly men that might carry elevated risks from passing away from other health causes instead of prostate cancer. It is where physicians oversea the progress and growth of the slow-moving tumors. As the progress and growth is watched exclusive of medicine or other kind of cancer treatments, by regularly monitoring the prostate-specific antigen or PSA levels, patient and the physician wait for the tumor to progress.

The development of the prostate tumor is assisted by the androgen male hormone. Reduction in size of the tumor is achieved through the level of androgens by hormone therapy. However, tumors that spread to the boundaries of your prostate are unable to be treated by surgical procedure or radiation. In its place, the option for the treatment of these tumors is hormone therapy.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit natural prostate cures to learn more about how to shrink prostate and prostate surgery incontinence.

About the Author:
Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit pet insurance plan to learn more about pet health insurance marketing plan and florida pet health insurance.

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Cindy Heller

PSA Tests Offer An Excellent Indication Of The Presence of An Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that is Often used as a screening test to detect the presence of benign enlargement of the prostate and of prostate cancer. Desite the fact that the test cannot in itself be used for diagnosis it is a good indicator and, in combination with other screening tests, PSA scores can suggest the need for further investigation.

PSA testing is usually recommended for men in high risk groups (like those with a family history of prostate cancer) from the age of around 40 to 45 and for all men once they reach 50 years of age.

A single test will provide a snapshot of prostate specific antigen levels in the blood and might reveal a problem straight away if you record especially high psa numbers. In the majority of cases however, and where a prostate problem is in its early development, a single test result will turn out to be inconclusive and a further test will usually be recommended in a few weeks time. In fact, ideally testing should be done at regular intervals 2 or 3 times every year so that PSA levels may be plotted over a reasonable period of time.

If you have a normal PSA score all is well, but when your PSA scores start to increase they have to be watched closely. The speed at which PSA scores rise is often referred to as the ‘PSA velocity’ and providing the increase is gradual and the velocity slow then it is once again often enough simply to monitor the situation as many things can influence levels of PSA and seemingly increasing levels will often be seen to return to normal over time.

However, if PSA readings start to rise rapidly and the velocity is said to be fast then further investigation is required.

This pattern of PSA testing and monitoring has been followed for some time but, though the test has always been considered to be a good indicator of the need for further investigation, it was not until quite recently that we have been in a position to link specific PSA velocity to prostate cancer in a way that can foretell how aggressive a cancer is.

In a study carried out recently data about 950 men with prostate cancer who had undergone either radiation treatment or surgery between 1988 and 2004 at four hospitals was carefully scutinized.

In every case each patient had been diagnosed as suffering from aggressive prostate cancer on the basis of a single very high PSA score, a biopsy showing an aggressive cancer at cellular level, a noticeable rise in PSA velocity during the year prior to diagnosis, the presence of an advanced stage tumor or a mixture of two or more of these markers.

The study also looked in detail at the post-treatment outcomes for all 950 men and found that a rapidly increasing PSA level that jumped by 2 or more points in a year was the clearest indication or the presence of an aggressive cancer.

Until this point we have been able to connect increasing PSA scores with an indication of the possible presence of prostate cancer but it has been necessary to guess to some extent about whether such a cancer is likely to be aggressive and need equally aggressive treatment.

Now however we can say with relative certainty that when a PSA level increases by 2 or more points in a twelve month period then prostate cancer is almost certain to be aggressive and needs to be treated quickly and vigorously.

ProstateProblemCenter.com provides information on PSA level ranges and on PSA scores

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Donald Saunders

Prostate surgery – the only solution for prostate cancer ?

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

For a few number of men the arrival of middle age brings with it increasing urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate gland. Instances of urinary problems increase with age so that by the time that most men reaching retirement there is a better than 50/50 chance they will be having problems and, if they are lucky enough to live much longer, then they will almost certainly run into problem. The prostate difficult has an effect on about 90% of the male population by this age.
While enlarged prostate is very frequent it is also a non malignant state that is restricted to the prostate gland and for many men it will build up very slowly over a period of years. There are a variety of symptoms connected with problems in passing water, and these can range from the rather gentle which are really not too bothersome and which you can certainly live with , as just a further symptom of the getting old course, to more severe signs which are sufficiently annoying to permit medical treatment.
In addition to the common problem of an enlarged prostate, which will influence almost all males at some point, a important number of men will also build up prostate cancer . While the cancer starts in the prostate gland, it can eventually spread throughout the body and is an extremely dangerous situation and the second most ordinary form of cancer death in the United States nowdays.
An enlarged prostate and prostate cancer are two quite separated situations and, in spite of what you may have heard, an enlarged prostate does not cause prostate cancer. The two conditions can however exist side by side . One difficulty with prostate cancer is that the symptoms of an enlarged prostate can mask the presence of a developing cancer.
The first step is to see your doctor, as quickly as you start to feel any kind of problems to urinate and let him to find the cause of the problem.
If you discuss with your doctor , and he diagnoses prostate cancer , then it is very possible to be at early stage of development and confined to the prostate gland, in which case your doctor will almost certainly recommend prostate surgery. In this case, unless there is a reason why you should not have a prostate surgery (such as the presence of other medical conditions that can place you at risk from prostate surgery) then the reply to whether or not you should have prostate surgery is invariably will be affirmative.
There can be no question that the best way to handle thecancer is to get rid of it altogether and, when it is confined to the prostate gland, and best way to do that is to have it removed by prostate surgery.
If, however, your doctor diagnoses nothing more than an enlarged prostate , the question of whether or not you should have a prostate surgery become more complicated and you will have to discuss your alternatives with your doctor.
There are a range of therapies offered for enlarged prostate including drug treatment and non surgical treatments, as well as several different surgical treatments and each has its own advantages, disadvantage and risks.
The main variation in the case of an enlarged prostate is that the vast majority of treatments are not designed to cure the problem but are aimed at reducing symptoms so that it does not unduly hamper with your quality of life.
The issue of whether or not you will have prostate surgery is dependending on the cause of your problems. If you have prostate cancer and prostate surgery is the recommended option then, unless there is a good ground for deciding otherwise, you have to almost certainly accept your doctor recommendation and have a prostate surgery. If, on the other hand, prostate surgery is being considered for an enlarged prostate, then there will be a choice of other options open to you and you will need to make a very individual decision, in discussion with your doctor, about whether or not prostate surgery is the choice you feel would be most correct .

The author is the owner of The Prostate Web Site
The author is retired From a communication company , and enjoys writing articles. For more information on Prostate and the cure go to http://www.the-prostate.com.

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Heinz Golz

Prostate PSA Test to prevent Prostate Cancer

Posted by | Posted in Disease-&-Illness | Posted on 08-09-2009

One of the most common types of cancer that affects males is prostate cancer. In the U.S.A. , in fact , there is one case for each 6 men. The cancer grows gradually and is typically concentrated on the prostate gland. There are patients who do not show any indications as their cancer grows too gradually while others grow so fast that they have to be treated immediately .

One way to discover prostate cancer is through the measurement of the prostate PSA level. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is the protein naturally present and created by the cells in the prostate gland. Average men have small amounts of the PSA whilst those with cancer have high levels of this serum.

The check is conducted through blood sampling where the PSA is measured. Prostate PSA is the most efficient means to detect prostate cancer and is necessary in order to take care of the cancer at the beginning phases of its development .

Nearly all of the therapies for prostate cancer will depend on the prostate PSA level. If the results of the tests reveal high prostate PSA level, the doctor will prescribe a series of blood tests and other tests to make a verified and definite diagnosis.

Depending on the results of the tests recommended , the doctor will organize any or combination of the most ordinary therapies for this cancer. One such method is watchful waiting, which involves no more but meetings to observe the growth of the cancer cells. By means of this method, the doctor will be in watch of the prostate PSA levels of the patient. Rectal tests are needed for any variations in the size of the organ.

Since the enlargement for some is in fact slow, there really is no requirement to intervene. It is just recommended that the patient continue his appointments for continuous examination. Patients have to be aware about the indications especially where their urination is concerned. Most of the indications are detected through some problems with urinating.

Men aged 50 and over are recommended for prostate PSA tests to detect cancer. These older men are more at possibility of developing the cancer cells because prostate glands grow bigger as they become old and they also become more prone to the cancer.

The normal prostate PSA level for men 60 years old and below is around 2.5 ng/ml. If older than 60, a man may have as high as 4.0 ng/ml because the prostate gland may have already enlarged at this point . Enlarged prostate glands create more PSA. Cells affected with cancer can produce up to 10 times more PSA than a regular, normal prostate gland cell. So, when the cancer cells grow, there will be higher levels of PSA that go into the bloodstream and that is why a PSA test is expected to detect prostate cancer.

There are cases when the PSA levels are high but the patient has no cancer. The cause of the spike in the prostate PSA is due to Benign Prostatic Hypertorphy (BPH) or inflammation of the prostate, which may also increase the production of PSA.

The author is the owner of Prostate Cancer|Prostate Cancer treatment web site .
For more information on Prostate problems and the cure go to http://www.the-prostate.com

Article Source: www.find-an-article.com/index.php?page=author&author_name=Heinz Golz

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next