• Each year over 400,000 men in the United States alone undergo prostate surgery and over a billion dollars a year is spent on prostate treatment.
• Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death for men after lung cancer. 90% of prostate cancer goes undetected until it is untreatable and has spread to the lymphatic system. By the age of 50, 35% of men have cancer cells in their prostate.
• Testing and semi annual checks can often detect problems early.
• Proscar, and other leading prescription drugs, are highly dangerous and according to the United States Veteran's Administration may be no more effective than natural remedies.
• Surgery often results in incontinence and impotence. Following surgery many men are required to wear diapers, suffer castration, and never have sex again, so make surgery your final choice.
• Natural supplements can be effective in treating and preventing prostrate problems. Beta-sitosterol is the common denominator in saw palmetto, along with our other ingredients all work synergistically to fight prostate ailments. Take this supplement if you are over the age of 35 years of age.

LifeSource Nutrition’s Complete Guide To Prostate Health…

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a doughnut-shaped cluster of glands located at the bottom of the bladder about halfway between the rectum and the base of the penis. It encircles the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. The walnut-sized gland produces most of the fluid in semen. Contraction of the muscles in the prostate squeeze fluid from the prostate into the urethral tract during ejaculation. It makes up the bulk of the ejaculate and nourishes and transports the sperm.

Everything you need to know to minimize prostate problems and steps to take when symptoms occur.

What is the prostate?
The prostate is a doughnut-shaped cluster of glands located at the bottom of the bladder about halfway between the rectum and the base of the penis. It encircles the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. The walnut-sized gland produces most of the fluid in semen. Contraction of the muscles in the prostate squeeze fluid from the prostate into the urethral tract during ejaculation. It makes up the bulk of the ejaculate and nourishes and transports the sperm.

Cancer of the prostate is the leading cause of cancer death among non-smoking American men and African-American men are 2 ½ times more likely to get the disease than any other ethnic group in the world. It is still unknown exactly why African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world. Research has shown, though, that they typically develop the disease earlier than white Americans, but are diagnosed with it later, so their mortality rate is much higher than that of whites. One of every eight African-American men will develop the disease in his lifetime. It is primarily a disease of aging. Men in their thirties and forties rarely develop prostate cancer, but the incidence increases steadily after the age of fifty-five. Approximately 80 percent of all cases occur in men over the age of sixty-five and by the age of eighty, 80 percent of all men have prostate cancer to some degree. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 381,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 1998 and over 41,000 men will die of the disease. A male baby born today has a 13 percent change of developing prostate cancer at some time in his life, and a 3 percent change of dying from the disease. Many experts feel that every man will eventually develop prostate cancer if he lives long enough. The three most common prostate problems are: infection (prostatitis), prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hupertrophy), and prostate cancer.

Currently, both the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society recommend annual rectal exams as part of a man’s annual health checkup for all men from ages 40 to 70, and beginning at age 40 for men at high risk (African-American men and those with a family history of the disease) and all men 50 and over add a PSA blood test every year as well. According to Dr. Crawford, these guidelines might need to be redefined. When prostate cancer is detected and treated in its early stages, it has a high cure rate. They encourage discussing the options with your medical care practitioner.
Based on past screenings conducted during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, Dr. Crawford and his colleagues have observed that in men ages 50 to 59, the prostate cancer detection rate was the same regardless of whether they were screened every year or every two years. For men between the ages of 60 and 70, thought, the prostate cancer rate was higher if they only were screened every two years versus annually. Therefore, it may only be necessary for normal-risk men in their 50s to be screened every other year. Dr. Crawford also suggests that high-risk men between the ages of 35 and 39 and normal-risk men between the ages of 45 and 49 should get a baseline PSA test. This recommendation is based on PCAW data revealing that the majority of positive biopsies in high-risk men screened between the ages of 40 and 49 were detected in their first year of screening. Further studies indicated that 95 percent of all prostate cancers among high-risk men were found in the first two years of a man’s screenings. "Because we have no cure for advanced prostate cancer, early diagnosis and treatment are essential," Dr. Crawford said. "Asymptomatic men can ‘choose to know’ if they have prostate cancer so that they can ‘know to choose’ from treatment alternatives that can cure their cancer." Because early prostate cancer usually does not have any symptoms, it is extremely difficult to detect without testing. In fact, screenings using both PSA and DRE tests have proven to be the only reliable method of identifying the disease when it can be cured most easily. Currently, 58 percent of all cases are discovered while the cancer is still localized and at its most curable stage. You doctor can detect prostate cancer by digital rectal examination (don’t die from embarrassment) and by a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.

Prostate Infection (Prostatitis)
Prostatitis, common in men of all ages, if the inflammation of the prostate gland. The usual cause is infectious bacteria that invade the prostate from another area of the body. Hormonal chances associated with aging may also be a cause. The inflammation can result in urine retention. This causes the bladder to become distended, weak, tender and itself susceptible to infection. Infection in the bladder is in turn early transmitted up the urethras to the kidneys.

There are two types of prostate infection, acute and chronic. Acute infections come on suddenly and have some or all of the follow symptoms: Fever and chills, pain and burning on urination and ejaculation, strong and frequent urge to urinate while passing only small amounts of urine, lower back or abdominal pain, blood in the urine (occasionally). Symptoms of chronic prostatitis are usually milder than those o an acute infection and fever and chills are usually not present. Either infection may occur with a urinary tract infection.

Sometimes, men will have painful urinary symptoms without infection. This condition may be called prostatodynia and is often related to stress or anxiety. Prostate infections usually respond well to home care and antibiotic treatment. If the infection recurs, long-term antibiotic treatment may be needed.

Prostatitis Treatment Options
Options for the home treatment:
• Drink as much water as you can tolerate
• Eliminate all alcohol and caffeine from your diet.
• Hot baths help soothe pain and reduce stress Aspirin or
ibuprofen may help ease painful urinary symptoms
• Consider daily supplementation of natural nutritional products
which contain Saw Palmetto, or better yet Beta–Sitosterol
which is a derivative of Saw Palmetto only many hundred
times the potency. See

Other treatment options:
• If the prostate is infected, treatment with antibiotics and
analgesics may be necessary.
• Although antibiotics are often used to treat prostatitis, the
long-term use of such drugs can lead to bacterial resistance,
which in turn necessitates more potent drugs, more expense,
and more medical complications.

Prevention of Prostatitis
Natural ways to prevent prostatitis:
• Increase your fluid intake to as much as 8 to 12 glasses per
day. You are drinking enough when you are urinating more
often than usual. Extra fluids help flush the urinary tract clean.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Caffeine can cause a strong and
frequent urge to urinate. Remember that colas contain
caffeine as well as coffee and tea.
• Keep stress under control. A high level of stress is closely
associated with prostatodynia.
• Consider daily supplementation of natural nutritional products
which contain Saw Palmetto, or better yet Beta–Sitosterol
which is a derivative of Saw Palmetto only many hundred
times the potency.

Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy)
As men age, the prostate may enlarge. This seems to be a natural process and is not really a disease. Benign prostatic hypertrophy is the gradual enlargement of the prostate. It occurs in approximately half of all men over the age of fifty and three quarters of men over seventy years of age - a total of about 10 million American men - and is largely attributable to hormonal chances associated with aging. After the age of fifty or so, a man’s testosterone and free testosterone levels decrease while the levels of other hormones, such as prolactin and estradiol, increase. This creates an increase in the amount of di-hydrotestosterone - a very potent for of testosterone - within the prostate. This causes a hyperplasia (overproduction) of prostate cells, which ultimately results in prostate enlargement. While not cancerous, however, as the gland gets bigger, it tends to squeeze the urethra and cause urinary problems. If it becomes too large, it obstructs the urethral canal, interfering with urination and the ability to empty the bladder completely. Because the bladder cannot empty completely, the kidneys also may not empty, as they should. Dangerous pressure on the kidneys can result. In severe cases, the kidneys may be damaged both by pressure and by substances in the urine. Bladder infections are associated with both prostatitis and enlarged prostate.
The major symptom of enlargement of the prostate is the need to pass urine frequently, with frequency increasing as time goes on. A man may find himself rising several times during the night to urinate. There can also be pain, burning and difficulty in starting and stopping urination. The presence of blood in the urine is not uncommon.
An enlarged prostate gland is not a serious problem unless urination becomes extremely difficult, or backed-up urine causes bladder infections or kidney damage. Some dribbling is very common and not necessarily a sign of prostate problems.
Surgery is usually not necessary for an enlarged prostate. Although surgery used to be a common treatment, recent research shows that most cases of prostate enlargement do not get worse over time as previously thought. Many men find that their symptoms are stable and some even clear up on their own. In these cases, the best treatment is no treatment at all. Drugs are available that may help improve symptoms in some men and supplements have been proven to be beneficial in most cases. Your doctor or health practitioner can advise you on the various treatment options.

Prostate Enlargement Treatment Options
Home treatment:
• Avoid antihistamines and decongestants, which can make
urinary problems worse.
• If you are bothered by a frequent urge to urinate at night, cut
down on beverages, especially alcohol and caffeine, before
bedtime.
• Don’t postpone urinating, and take plenty of time. Try sitting on
the toilet instead of standing.
• If dribbling after urination is a problem, wash your penis once a
day to prevent infection.
• Consider daily supplementation of natural nutritional products
which contain Saw Palmetto, or better yet Beta–Sitosterol
which is a derivative of Saw Palmetto only many hundred
times the potency.

Other Options:
• Enlarged prostate may be treated surgically with a procedure
called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).This
should be your last consideration only after all other methods
have failed. About 350,000 TURPs were done in the United
States in 1990. Side effects of the procedure include
retrograde ejaculation (in which the semen is pumped back
up into the bladder) and in some cases impotence or
incontinence. About 15 percent of men who have the procedure
need another operation within eight years. Note: many natural
treatment advocates suggest that 60 to 80% of the surgical
procedures performed in the U.S are unnecessary, so
be sure to get a second opinion before you go under the knife.

• Engaging in sexual intercourse while the prostate is infected
and irritated may further irritate the prostate and delay recovery.
• Zinc deficiency is linked to enlargement of the prostate. Soil
used for farming is often deficient in zinc, and unless you eat
hulks of cereals or brewer’s yeast, it is difficult to get enough
zinc in the diet. Alcohol causes a deficiency of zinc and other
serious nutritional deficiencies. However, too much zinc (over
100 milligrams a day) can depress immune function. Man
prostrate supplements add zinc so look for one what has
around 15mg.which is the recommended daily requirement.

* All men aged forty or over should have a semi annual rectal
examination, during which the prostate gland is checked.

Prevention of acute Prostatitis and Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
Ways to prevent acute prostatitis and enlarged prostate:
• Acute inflammation or enlargement of the prostate gland often
responds to certain herbal teas. If no improvement takes place
or if the symptoms recur, consult a urologist.
• Take steps to reduce your blood cholesterol level. Studies
have shown a connection between high cholesterol and
prostate disorders. Cholesterol has been shown to
accumulate in enlarged or cancerous human prostates. The
afformention Beta-Sitosterol has s significant impact on
reducing cholesterol so you get an additional benefit beyond
treating your prostate problem.

• Alternative treatments may be employed by herbalists
Research now shows that this safe, simple preparation may equal widely prescribed pharmaceutical preparations in
treating BPH, without the side effects. Other herbs that contribute to prostate health are also reviewed in Christopher Hobbs book: Saw Palmetto: The herb for prostate health and are explained in detail.
• Use hydrotherapy to increase circulation in the prostate region.
One method involves sitting in a tub that contains the hottest
water tolerable for fifteen to thirty minutes once or twice a day. Another form of hydrotherapy involves spraying the lower
abdomen and pelvic area with warm and cold water, alternating between three minutes of hot water and one minute of cold. Still another technique involves sitting in hot water while immersing the feet in cold water for three minutes, and then sitting in cold water while immersing the feet in hot water for one minute.
• Eat 1 to 4 ounces of raw pumpkin seeds every day.
Pumpkin seeds are helpful for almost all prostate troubles because they are rich in zinc. As an alternative, pumpkinseed oil can be taken in capsule form.
• Eliminate from your lifestyle such items as tobacco, alcoholic
beverages (especially beer and wine), caffeine (especially coffee and tea), chlorinated and fluoridated water, spicy and junk foods, and tomato and tomato products. Limit your exposure to pesticides and other environmental contaminants.
• If you have prostatitis, increase your fluid intake. Drink two to
Three quarts of spring or distilled water daily to stimulate urine flow. This helps to prevent cysitits and kidney infection as well as dehydration.
• Get regular exercise. Do not ride a bicycle, however; this
may put pressure on the prostate. Walking is good exercise.
• If your prostate is enlarged, be cautious about using over-the-counter cold and allergy remedies. Many of these products contain ingredients that can inflame the condition and cause urinary retention.
• Avoid exposure to very cold weather.

Prostate Cancer
Although it is relatively common, in most cases prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer. Most prostate cancers arise in the rear portion of the prostate gland; the rest originate near the urethra. Prostate cancers double in mass every six years, on average.

Possible Symptoms
The disease often causes no symptoms at all until it reaches an advanced stage and/or spreads outside the gland. Or it could be one or more of the following: Pain or a burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, a decrease in the size and force of urine flow, an inability to urinate, blood in the urine, and continuing lower back, pelvic or suprapublic discomfort. However, these symptoms most often are caused not by cancer but by benign enlargement or inflammation of the prostate. That’s why professional evaluation and diagnosis is so necessary.

The rate of prostate cancer in the U.S. is rising. In part, this is due to the aging of our population. Just a generation ago, the life expectancy for white men was sixty-five years; today, it is close to eighty years. However, the rate of prostate cancer is rapidly rising in all men, even those under fifty. This is significant because, in general, the younger a man is when he is diagnosed with prostate cancer, the worse his prognosis. The increase in prostate cancer among younger men points to the role of diet and exposure to environmental toxins in the development of the disease.

African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer, while Asian American has the lowest. Men with a family history of prostate cancer also run a higher risk of developing the disease. The incidence is higher among married men that it is among unmarried men. Also at increased risk are men who have had recurring prostate infections, those with a history of venereal disease, and those who have taken testosterone. Researchers have also found a link between a high-fat diet and prostate cancer. This may be due to the fact that heavy fat consumption raises testosterone levels, which could then stimulate growth of the prostate, including any cancer cells it may be harboring. Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals increases risk as well. Some experts believe that vasectomy may increase a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer. And, while it isn’t conclusive, some medical professionals are recommending to have the vasectomy reversed.

Testing
It is believed by most that there is no way to prevent the disease, but early detection can make it possible to catch the cancer before it spreads to other parts in the body. A careful rectal exam of the prostate is the simplest and most cost-effective and (most painful) approach for detecting prostate cancer. The American Urologic Association recommends that ever man have an annual exam beginning at least by age forty. The American Cancer Society no longer recommends testing. They suggest discussing the options with your health care professional.

A blood test to detect elevated levels of a substance called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an accepted screening test for prostate cancer. PSA is currently the most valuable "tumor marker" available to diagnose and evaluate the effectiveness of therapy for prostate cancer. A PSA test result between 0 and 4 is considered to be within the normal range; a PSA over 10 is assumed to indicate cancer until proven otherwise. High PSA levels can be caused by factors other than cancer, including benign enlargement or inflammation of the prostate, an activity as innocuous as bicycle riding, or even the rectal exam itself. If your PSA level is found to be high, the test should always be repeated, because it does yield false-positive or false-negative results an estimated 10 to 20 percent of the time. Having the test repeated every year may help a physician to better interpret the results; in healthy men, PSA levels tend to remain relatively stable, rising only gradually from year to year, while cancer causes the levels to rise more dramatically.

Ultrasound scanning of the prostate is often done to follow up on an abnormal rectal exam or PSA test. Other diagnostic tests including computerized tomography (CT) scans, bone scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be necessary, but are costly. Ultimately, if test results point consistently to the presence of cancer, a tissue diagnosis must be done to confirm it. This can be done only by microscopic examination of a needle biopsy, preferably directed under ultrasound control. Repeated biopsies may be needed in some cases. This invasive procedure may itself cause complications. Bleeding, urinary retention, impotence and sepsis (blood poisoning) have been reported.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Some of the treatment options for prostate cancer:
• If the disease is caught early, treatment is usually successful. If
the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, however, it is
difficult to treat and cure. Unfortunately, prostate cancer can be
difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Many cases are
diagnosed only after the cancer has spread outside the
gland. Once this happens, the survival rate over the next five
years is about 40 percent. If the disease spreads to the lymph
nodes, bones or other organs, the chances of
survival drop to 20 percent.
• Berries such as Saw Palmetto or Beta-sitosterol a
concentrated form of Saw Palmetto help protect DNA from
damage and mutation that may result in cancer.
• Experimental therapies such as cryoablation (freezing of
cancer cells) and laser surgery are sometimes used in
prostate cancer treatment.
• If the cancer has spread into the capsule of the gland, the
standard approach is some form of radiation therapy.
Ten-year survival rates are 50 to 60 percent. Try to avoid
radiation therapy which leaves men impotent 50 percent of the
time. It may also adversely affect the bladder and rectum.
• If the disease is confined to the prostate and a man is healthy
and under seventy years old, removal of the gland (radical
prostatectomy) is often recommended. but consider about 50
percent of men who have this done, even with the new "nerve
sparing" techniques, become impotent. Significant
incontinence occurs in up to 25 percent of cases. Watchful
waiting, with nutritional support and lifestyle change, is
becoming the preferred approach if the cancer is in the early
stages.
• If the cancer has spread outside the gland, treatment is aimed
at trying to block production of testosterone, which fuels the
cancer. This can be done by means or orchiectomy (surgical
removal of the testes) or by suppressing the production and
action of hormones. For the latter, either goserelin (Zoladex) or
leuprolide (Lupron) is given by monthly injections (they are
fundamentally the same drug); in addition, flutamide
(Eulexin) is taken orally. Together, these agents effectively
shut down testosterone production and use by the body. Both
orchiectomy and hormone suppression cause impotence in
nearly 100 percent of the cases.

• Estrogen’s have been used effectively for the treatment
of prostate cancer for sixty years. However, they can cause
breast growth and other feminizing effects, as well as cardiac
complications.
• Many consider prostate cancer to be one of the most over
treated diseases in America. Physicians in Europe have long
used a conservative nutritional approach with comparable
results. In addition, a 1994 report in The New England Journal
of Medicine reported on a large group of men who refused
traditional treatment. Surprisingly, they fared just as well as -
and possibly better than - men who did accept medical
treatment. A conservative approach making critical lifestyle
and dietary changes and using nutritional supplementation
may work just as well.
• Dr. Hans Nieper, a German cancer specialist, uses Carnivora,
a substance derived from a South American plant, to
treat prostate cancer. Fresh cabbage and carrot juices are
used in clinics worldwide in cancer therapy.
• A high-fat, low-fiber diet is linked not just to heart disease, but
also to prostate cancer. Chemical reactions occur when fat is
cooked, leading to the production of free radicals, which play
a major role in certain cancers. It is logical to assume that the
accelerating increase in prostate cancer since the 1950s
must be attributable at least in part to a parallel increase in fat
consumption in the U.S. According to the Journal of the
National Cancer Institute, men who eat red meat five times
a week may have a risk of prostate cancer that is nearly three
times higher than that for men who eat red meat less than
once a week. Butter consumption also appears to contribute
to this disease. Researchers theorize that a diet high in fat
raises the levels of testosterone and other hormones
in the body, which stimulate the prostate - and any cancerous
cells in it - to grow. A high intake of milk and coffee may also
increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Research has shown that soybeans and soy products, such
as tofu, soy four and soymilk, have cancer-fighting powers
due to the presence of a protein called genistein. Genistein
apparently retards tumor growth by preventing the growth of
new blood vessels to feed the tumor. It appears to be
particularly effective against prostate cancer, but also works
against breast cancer in women and colon cancer in both
sexes.
• In 1993, the Journal of the American Medical Association
revealed a connection between vasectomy and an increased
risk of prostate cancer. Reported studies of 48,000 and 29,000
men who had vasectomies showed a 66-percent and 56-
percent higher rate of prostate cancer, respectively. The risk
increased with age and the number of years since the
vasectomy was performed. Since then, a panel called the
National Institutes of Health found no biological cause-
and-effect relationship between vasectomy and prostate
cancer. Not all experts accept that finding, however.
• A man with prostate cancer needs support and understanding
from family members, friends and physicians. Besides
coming to grips with cancer and its treatments, he also has to
deal with the possible loss of sexual potency, which can be
very difficult. A number of the books listed in the reference
section below provide a great deal of detailed information and
practical advice to help the man with prostate cancer and his
family to deal with the many difficult aspects of this disease.

• Diet and nutrition are important not only for treatment, but for
prevention. An anticancer diet is composed primarily of brown
rice, fresh raw fruits and vegetables, fresh juices, legumes,
raw nuts and seeds, and whole grains, and excludes alcohol,
coffee, refined carbohydrates, and strong tea. Regular intake
of zinc (15 milligrams daily) beta-stiosterol (300miilograms
daily and essential fatty acids omega 3 oils, (in supplement
form or from cold-pressed sesame, safflower or olive oil) and
fresh salmon in later life also may help prevent the
development of problems.

Prostate Cancer Prevention
Since the prostate produces seminal fluid, there is a long-standing belief that regular ejaculations (two or three times per week) will help prevent an enlarged prostate. There is little scientific proof of this, but it is risk-free.

Diet is also a factor. Some recommend to maintain a whole-foods diet:

• Eat plenty of whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, and unpolished
brown rice. Millet cereal is a good source of protein. Eat wheat, oats and bran. Also eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower and yellow and deep orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, squash and yams. This type of diet is important for the prevention of cancer as well as for healing.
• Include in the diet apples, fresh cantaloupe, all kinds of berries,
Brazil nuts, cherries, grapes, legumes (including chickpeas, lentils and red beans) and plums. All of these foods help to fight
cancer.
• Consume percent of men who have the procedure need
another operation within eight years affect the bladder and rectum. affect the bladder and rectum. freshly made vegetable and fruit juices daily. Carrot and cabbage juices are good choices.
• Include in the diet foods that are high in zinc such as. Zinc
nourishes the prostate gland and is vital for proper immune function.
• Restrict your intake of dairy products. Moderate consumption
of soured products such as low-fat yogurt and kefir is acceptable.
• If you experience difficulty urinating or notice an increasing
trend toward waking up to urinate during the night, consult your health care provider. This may indicate prostatic obstruction.
• Use cold-pressed organic oils such as sesame, safflower or
olive oil to obtain essential fatty acids.
• Do not eat red meat. There is a define correlation between
high red meat consumption (five servings a week or more) and the development of prostate cancer.
• Eliminate from the diet alcoholic beverages, coffee and all teas
except for caffeine-free herbal teas.
• Strictly avoid the following foods: junk foods, processed
refined foods, salt, saturated fats, sugar and white flour. Instead of salt, use a kelp or potassium substitute. If necessary, a small amount of blackstrap molasses or pure maple syrup can be used as a natural sweetener in place of sugar. Use whole wheat or rye instead of white flour.
• Unless otherwise recommended, take vitamins and other
supplements daily with meals, with the exception of vitamin E, which should be taken before meals. Consider taking supplements containing Beta-Sitosterol. A free report is available at

• Try to avoid all known carcinogens. Eat only organic foods,
if possible. Avoid tobacco smoke, polluted air, polluted water, noxious chemicals and food additives. Use only distilled water or reverse-osmosis-filtered water. Municipal and well water can contain chlorine, fluoride and agricultural chemical residue.
• Do not take any drugs except those that are prescribed by
your physician. Always seek counsel and alternative opinions before deciding which treatments, if any, you will pursue.
• Prostate Massage. We haven’t been able to find a lot of
on this subject but understand that Tibetan monks practice a meditation that includes self-massage of the prostate. Also, there is a video that focuses on self anal massage for men that includes a very short mention of prostate massage about 23 minute in. However, for those wanting to practice self-prostate massage, it provides very good information on cleanliness and preparation of the anal area prior to starting the practice.

Pain Management In most cases, pain is manageable. No one should have to suffer, especially terminally ill cancer patients. And, while many of the major pain killers like morphine are controlled by the federal government, and the DEA has been very active in prosecuting doctor’s for alleged "over prescription", many of these patients report that the pain in too great in lower dosages. (See the film " and see what you think.)
AIDS and cancer patients have long reported the positive affect of marijuana to reduce pain and improve the appetite, often an after effect of chemotherapy. California and Arizona have passed laws allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana for certain ailments. Even the New England Journal of Medicine has favored doctors who prescribe marijuana. However, the federal government, not really caring about people’s pain, has threatened to charge any doctor prescribing it with a felony. Similar drugs have not received the governments okay since they fear a person may become addicted, which is seldom the case. Regardless of research to the contrary, "Even if the person is dying, it seems that they (the government) would rather see him die in pain rather than become an addict for the short time he has to live," says Dr. Aubrey Pilgrim in his book A Revolutionary Approach to Prostate Cancer. X-rays can be used to reduce or eliminate pain for some time and Metastron (Stronitium 89) radiation works well on bone metastases. Quadremet, which is a radioactive drug similar to Metasmon, has fewer side effects and Novantrone is the first chemotherapy drug approved for treatment of pain from advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer. For information, call 800.220.6302. Finally, there are a number of ways to deal with pain. If you aren’t successful with you current doctor, find one who will help. No one deserves to have to live in pain.

New Color Ultrasound Improves Detection According to a recent article published in The Journal of Urology, the use of color ultrasound improves the detection of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a common cancer among men in the United States. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States. The prostate is a walnut-size gland that is located between the bladder and rectum and forms a component of semen. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels (a protein produced by the prostate that is elevated when cancer is present), a digital rectal exam (DRE) and transrectal ultrasound are common tests used to detect prostate cancer. If any suspicious mass is found through these tests, a patient must then undergo biopsies (the removal of a sample of tissue) to definitively determine whether cancer exists. However, it is imperative that a physician takes a biopsy from the area in the prostate where the cancer exists to provide accurate diagnostic information. Physicians often use endorectal ultrasound to help determine where in the prostate to take a biopsy. Researchers are attempting to improve upon the accuracy of ultrasound in the guidance of placement of biopsies, including the introduction of contrast, which help physicians to discern between healthy looking tissue and possible sites of cancer.

Enter Color Doppler Imaging...

A new development in ultrasound involves the use of color Doppler imaging with microbubble contrast so those physicians are better able to determine the presence and exact location of a mass within the prostate. Doppler imaging can sense differences in velocity (i.e. blood flow versus solid tissue) and transmits these differences through different color pixels to create a picture on a screen. Microbubbles are tiny bubbles of gas that can permeate through small blood vessels without creating any harm. The microbubbles further enhance imaging by increasing the intensity of backscatter signal. Since blood vessels and blood flow are more prevalent in cancerous tissues than regular tissues, microbubbles tend to concentrate in the cancer, which is revealed on the created picture. This allows physicians to more accurately locate where biopsies should be taken.
Researcher from France recently conducted a clinical study to determine the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced color Doppler ultrasound using microbubbles in determining biopsy sites in men suspected of having prostate cancer. This trial included 85 men who underwent conventional Doppler and microbubble-enhanced color Doppler during the biopsy procedure. The results between the two were directly compared based on biopsy results. Contrast-enhanced color Doppler had a 93% detection rate of prostate cancer compared with only 54% for un-enhanced color Doppler. Biopsies from areas of the prostate that did not contain cancer occurred in 21% of biopsies under Doppler that was not enhanced, compared with only 11% of biopsies under contrast-enhanced Doppler.

Reduce Unnecessary Repeated Biopsies...
The researchers concluded that microbubble- enhanced color Doppler used for endorectal ultrasound improves the detection of prostate cancer and reduces unnecessary biopsies, compared to color Doppler that is not enhanced. They also state that this procedure is simple and not time consuming. Patients suspected of having prostate cancer may wish to speak with their physician about the risks and benefits of microbubble- enhanced color Doppler in androectal ultrasound for biopsy placement or the participation in a clinical trial evaluating other novel screening approaches.

Reference: Roy C, Buy X, Lang H, et al. Contrast enhances color Doppler endorectal sonography of the prostate: efficiency for detecting peripheral zone tumors and role for biopsy procedure. The Journal of Urology. 2003;170:69-72.