Living With Prostate Cancer

The baby boomer population bubble has now reachedDRE, the doctor may suggest a Prostate-Specific
60 years old. This means that many of us are goingAntigen (PSA) blood Test. This blood test looks for
to need to face illness and diseases that come withabnormal markers that may indicate the presence of
surviving six decades. Prostate cancer is one sucha developing cancerous situation.
disease that is expected to grow in number over theThere's growing evidence to suggest that a diet very
next few decades.rich in vitamins and nutrients can also help maintain
Statistically 180,000 new prostate cancer cases areour body's ability to ward off many serious diseases.
being diagnosed in the United States every year withAlthough the definitely not a cure for prostate
about 32,000 men dying from this disease annually.cancer, the use of natural remedies to strengthen
Although these are the statistics that are used, theyour body's immune system can only help to keep
fact is that many of these men will will die and notyou healthy. There's no question that a low-fat diet
from the actual prostate cancer, but from allowingalong with appropriate vitamins and minerals can help
the cancerous condition to grow until it iskeep you healthier and make you better able to fight
unmanageable. This is due to the fact that prostateoff disease.
cancer can metastasize or move from the prostateSeveral studies have suggested that men who had a
area and infect organs, bones and lymph nodes.diet rich in selenium and vitamin E. had fewer cases
This should cause every man to pause and realizeof prostate cancer. The kinds of foods that contain
that prostate cancer is a serious disease that if givenselenium include meat, grains, seafood, and some
the chance will kill you. It is now the second leadingkinds of nuts. It's critical that you meet with your
cause of cancer deaths among men in the Uniteddoctor before making any radical changes to your
States after lung cancer. In Canada about 17,000diet as other problems may arise. There's also some
males are diagnosed with prostate cancer each yearevidence to suggest that the nutrient lycopene found
and about 4,200 die each year from the disease.in tomato based products such as ketchup can
The sad fact is that many of these deaths areprovide some protection against contracting prostate
avoidable. As with many cancerous diseases, earlycancer.
detection is the key to effective treatment andAccording to a study in the British Journal of Urology
even cure. Prostate cancer is diagnosed based uponInternational, men that have been diagnosed with
how advanced the malignant tumor has grown. In theprostate cancer who take supplemental lycopene (is
early stages, we have maximum flexibility infound in very high amounts in tomatoes) and still get
treatment options and can both manage and in manytheir testicles surgically removed are likely to
times cure this potentially deadly disease.experience less bone pain, less disease and stand
Diagnosis usually start with a medical history asmore chances of living longer than those who have
studies have shown that heredity may be a factoronly had surgical removal of their testicles.
with prostate cancer. Next, a DRE or digital rectalIn the end, a partnership with your medical doctor is
exam is done. This is a quick and simple exam wherethe best way to remain healthier longer. By taking
the doctor feels your prostate for any abnormalsome responsibility for your health, changes in your
bumps, size difference or texture. In addition to alifestyle are much easier to make.