More Evidence That Green Tea Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk

Only skin cancer is more common in men than prostate cancer. Each year, more than 200,000 men are diagnosed with this disease, and it is the third leading cause of cancer death in men.

But, recently there has been more and more information to suggest that drinking green tea may reduce a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer. Studies both in laboratory animals and humans have shown that green tea is a powerful cancer preventer, of both prostate and other forms of cancer.

One study is particularly interesting. This study, reported by the UK Tea Council studied a group of 62 men who were already at a high risk of developing prostate cancer. 32 of the men were given green tea for one year; the other 30 were not.

The patients were between the ages of 45 and 75 years of age, and all had been diagnosed with pre-malignant lesions that are the pre-cursor to prostate cancer. More than one third of men with such lesions will normally develop prostate cancer within one year. The subjects were given no other treatment for the lesions other than the green tea or placebo.

When the subjects were re-evaluated one year later, only one out of the 32 men who were given green tea had developed prostate cancer. In the control group, nine out of 30 had gone on to develop the disease.

The study concluded that green tea’s anti-oxidants have the power to actually kill off prostate cancer cells, leaving the healthy cells in tact. Green tea induces a state of apoptosis; a systematic killing off of body cells. Apoptosis occurs regularly in the body, helping to ensure that our healthiest cells are those that survive, but it is rare to find a substance outside the body that can induce such activity.

This is just more evidence to support what researchers have believed for some time now –green tea prevents cancer. There have been numerous other studies that have come to the same conclusion, both for prostate cancer and for other forms of cancer, too.

At least one other study has shown that green tea prevents prostate cancer. Another set of research showed that green tea appears to have the ability to act as a scavenger against a substance called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). ROS are a form of free radicals that contribute to the development of prostate cancer, when they are produced in excess. The study showed that the particular anti-oxidants in green tea were effective at eradicating the ROS cells before they could turn into cancer cells.

There have also been quite a few studies that suggest that green tea can prevent other forms of cancer. For example, one study showed that women who consumed green tea were significantly less likely to develop ovarian cancer, and that the more tea they drank, the lower their risk.

There are also several bodies of research that indicate that green tea may prevent breast cancer. There have also been several studies showing that breast cancer may even be helpful for women who already have breast cancer. One study noted that one group of breast cancer patients, those with high Her -2/neu readings, were significantly affected by drinking green tea.

Her-2/neu is a growth factor that sometimes presents itself in a tumor. An over expression of this growth factor is a concern for breast cancer patients, because it indicates a higher risk for the cancer spreading and an overall lower survival rate. Drinking green tea appears to slow the growth and spread of the cancer in mice with a high Her-2/neu reading.

Another study on breast cancer patients showed that chemotherapy is more effective when it is administered along with green tea. The green tea appears to increase the concentration level of the cancer drugs in the cancerous cells, so that they have a greater effect.

Green tea has even been shown to be effective in treating skin cancer. Another study showed excellent results in skin cancer prevention and treatment in mice with the use of green tea both applied topically and given orally. The study found that green tea applied topically seems to scavenge and destroy skin cells that are likely to become cancerous before they can mutate. The mice also showed a lower risk of skin cancer when given green tea orally.

So, as you can see, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that green tea is effective at preventing cancer. It is also likely that green tea may be an effective treatment for some forms of cancer, too.

It’s clear that we need far more research on green tea before we have a conclusive understanding of what green tea can do and how it works. However, it does appear to be clear that there is much promise in green tea for the future of cancer prevention and treatment.

So, if you’re at a high risk for developing prostate cancer, or any other cancer, adding green tea to your diet is a wise choice. Green tea has no side effects, and it may be able to significantly lower your risk of several forms of cancer.

Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current tea offerings, including their exceptional green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea (also known as wu-long and wu long tea) and chai. Visit goldenmoontea.com for all details concerning the Golden Moon Tea Company's fine line of teas.

Important Information Dealing With Hormone Treatment For Prostate Cancer

By Tim Gorman

Once a prostate tumor is present in the body, certain male hormones help to promote its growth. So hormone treatment for prostate cancer can be used to block the production of those male hormones, resulting in either stalling the growth of the cancer or even shrinking the existing cancer. This method can be very effective for keeping the cancer under control for an extended period of time.

Hormone treatment for prostate cancer can also be successful when the cancer ahs spread to other parts of the body, including the bones, lymph nodes, liver or lungs. When the disease has spread throughout the body, it's no longer possible to remove the cancer with surgery, or even radiation. It's too difficult to locate all the cancer cells in the body. However hormone treatment can access cancer cells throughout the body, no matter how tiny they might be. It can also be used in situations where the patient is too physically weak to undergo surgery.

It's important to understand that hormonal therapy is not a cure for prostate cancer. However, it can do a very good job of slowing down the progression of the cancer, by restricting the growth of the prostate cancer cells, which are hormone dependent.

Let's take a look at the three main types of hormonal treatment used for prostate cancer.

Anti-androgen Therapy

In order to inhibit the growth of the cancer, anti-androgens are used to block the production of testosterone. Using anti-androgen therapy only reduces the amount of testosterone, rather than eliminating it completely, so it generally has fewer side effects than other treatments such as medical castration. It's possible that anti-androgen will only be prescribed intermittently, rather than being used constantly. Interestingly, the body actually benefits from the withdrawal effect of stopping treatment.

There are three main anti-androgen drugs used to treat prostate cancer:

Flutamide

Nilutamide

Bicalutamide

All of these are oral tablets, and they should be taken at the same time each day in order to reduce the chance of nausea. Other side effects are possible, so these should be discussed with your doctor if you notice them. Your doctor may change your medication in order to avoid the side effects. Diarrhea is the main side effect noticed, although others may experience liver problems, fatigue or queasiness. Generally men with an active sex life won't find their libido or potency are affected in any way.

Orchiectomy

Orchiectomy is the surgical removal of the testicles, which is also referred to as medical castration. This is a rather drastic form of treatment, with potential side effects ranging from hot flushes to a loss of sexual desire or impotence. It's important for your urologist to conduct a range of tests before recommending this treatment option.

Transillumination involves shining a very bright light through the testicle, to make sure the growth isn't a benign cyst. An ultrasound will also be conducted, where high-frequency sound waves are rebounded off the tissues in your body. The waves are converted into pictures, and will help to show whether the growth is a solid mass, which suggests a tumor, rather than filled with fluid, which is probably a cyst. Although an ultrasound is highly effective for diagnosis tumors, it's unable to indicate whether or not they are benign. Unfortunately ninety five percent of testicular tumors are malignant, and it's necessary to check some of the growth's cells under a microscope to be certain.

LH-RH Agonists (Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone)

Generally, these drugs are used in order to reduce the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension) is one of the most common drugs chosen. LH-RH agonists can't cure prostate cancer, but they can be very effective at reducing the levels of testosterone that the testicles produce. In some instances they may even do this as efficiently as medical castration. However these drugs are very expensive, and the treatment needs to be monitored regularly, which is why surgery is usually chosen as the preferred treatment.

For more information on hormone treatment for prostate cancer try visiting http://www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com where you will quickly and easily find a variety of helpful resources and information on prostate cancer to include natural cures for prostate cancer.

What Causes Enlarged Prostate Conditions In Men Over The Age Of 50

By Tim Gorman

Commonly known as enlarged prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition routinely affecting middle aged and elderly men. More than fifty percent of American men between the ages of sixty and seventy exhibit symptoms of BPH. Having an enlarged prostate itself isn't life-threatening, in fact in many cases, BPH treatment simply involves close monitoring of the condition. But the existence of enlarged prostate can lead to more serious conditions like a bladder and kidney damage, bladder stones, urinary tract infection and even a complete halt of the urinary system, in a condition known as acute urinary retention. But what just what causes enlarged prostate hyperplasia?

What Is an Enlarged Prostate?

Here's how it happens, the prostate gland, which is ordinarily the size of a small walnut snuggly manuevers it's way right between the urethra and the pubic bone. As the onset of prostate enlargement begins to first mainfest itself, the bladder will have to work with more force to push urine through the now narrowed and somewhat "smushed" urethra. Subsequently, the muscles of the bladder become more sensitive-hence the frequent need to urinate that accompanies benign prostatic hyperplasia. The already enlarged prostate gland continues to grow and ultimately the bladder loses the ability to completely empty itself, and that is precisely what can go on to cause some of the harmful medical conditions associated with advanced enlarged prostate conditions.

What Causes Enlarged Prostate Conditions?

Just like the medical mystery of "Whatever happened to King Tut," physicans are sure definitively just what causes enlarged prostate. But of course, everyone has a theory, especially when it comes to testosterone. Many medical professionals believe that androgens, which include testosterone and similar hormones, play a direct role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The school of thought isn't that testosterone and other androgens actually cause an enlarged prostate, but studies have shown that in order for the condition to occur, androgens must be in the midst. Men who were castrated as young boys do not experience prostate troubles as adults.

Diagnosing and Enlarged Prostate

BPH can be diagnosed in three ways, through a rectal examination, via blood tests, or through an ultrasound. A digit rectal examination may be able to catch an enlarged prostate, although the condition is typically advanced by this time. In an effort to determine if a patient has prostate cancer, physicans will order an ultrasound examination of the testicles, prostate, and kidneys, it is through this process that they may find that their patient isn't suffering from prostate cancer at all, but rather an enlarged prostate. But it is through blood testing that benign prostatic hyperplasia is most often caught. Blood tests are able to pick up on high levels of prostate specific antigens (PSA) affiliated with prostate cancer, however rectal examinations have been known to elevate levels PSA levels.

For more information on what causes enlarged prostate conditions try visiting www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com where you will quickly and easily find a variety of tips, advice and resources to include helpful information on prostate cancer medications.

Prostate Cancer - The PSA Test Could Save Your Life

By Sacha Tarkovsky

The PSA test s becoming more popular with men over 40 and could save your life. Here we will look at prostrate cancer and the test and how it could help you.

What is PSA?

PSA is prostate specific antigen. PSA is a protease (protein) secreted the prostate gland. Its levels in the blood are elevated in men with both benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. PSA is now an accepted and routine screening test for prostate cancer.

The PSA Test

PSA presence in the blood is very low, so its detection requires a very sensitive type of technology.

The test uses the monoclonal antibody technique. The PSA protein exists both in the blood by itself, and joined with other substances. By itself, it is free PSA, and joined with other substances, bound PSA.

The term ‘Total PSA’ is the total both forms. The PSA test gives the result of the Total PSA

Results of the PSA Test

The highest normal level of Total PSA is 4 nanograms per milliliter, or ng/mL. Statistics show men’s prostate gland will generally increases in size and produces more PSA with increasing age. Therefore aging has a great role in the actual results of the test. However, doctors would be concerned with anyone who had a result of over 4.5 ng/mL, and would generally do a biopsy to determine physically if cancer were present

Specific Use of the PSA Test for Cancer

Doctors are using the PSA test now in two ways. First as a screening test to determine elevated PSA levels (which might indicate cancer, but can also indicate other conditions as well), or as a monitor test for those who are known to have prostate cancer.

With the screening technique, any increased levels over 4.5 ng/mL require further investigation. As a monitoring test, high levels of PSA can indicate the growing or reducing threat of cancer.

However an abnormal result also can indicate a recurrence of prostate cancer following therapy.

For example, in men with a surgically removed prostate gland (prostatectomy), where all of the cancer was contained, a PSA test should result in 0. However, if in these men the PSA test is positive or shows increasing levels, it shows the cancer was not successfully removed and / or it has spread.

PSA Also Can Show Non-Cancerous Conditions

The PSA test result can indicate conditions other than cancer.

Often a higher PSA test result indicates benign prostatic hypertrophy, which his enlargement or hyperplasia of the prostate gland. These conditions are due to an increase aging in certain men.

Also infection of the prostate gland, known as prostatitis, will cause an abnormal elevation of PSA.

There are other conditions also which can result in higher levels of PSA that are non-cancerous.

In each case however, the doctor will first perform a biopsy to determine if cancer cells are present. The Free PSA Test

Free PSA in the blood exists as well as bound PSA, and there is now a test for Free PSA. Studies have shown that levels of free PSA decrease in men with prostate cancer.

The Free PSA levels in men with benign conditions will not decrease. Levels of Free PSA differ from test procedure to test procedure, but in any case, it is a good indication of the presence of cancer if the levels are shown to be decreasing.

Who Should Test for PSA

Any many over 40 years old now should test for PSA. Every man over 50 must test for PSA to insure that if there is a problem, it can be treated early. Consult your physician if this article concerns you.

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Disadvantages of Chemotherapy in Treating Prostate Cancer

Normally, human cells divide and increase permanently. This way our body is growing and inactive cells are replaced. That means a controlled process when the resulting cells are identically with their origin. Sometimes, from unknown reasons, the process gets out of control and the result of cells division is an abnormal growth called a tumour. When this tumour is malignant, its cells have the power to migrate nearby tissues and penetrate organs and bloodstream. This is cancer.

Chemotherapy is a treatment based on action of several agents such as: Mitoxantrone, Vinorelbine, Docetaxel, Estramustine or others. Basically, chemotherapy agents kill cancer cells that are actively multiplying.

The general disadvantage of chemotherapy, no matter of type of cancer, is the drugs cannot discriminate between fast-growing cells and kills all cells whether they are part of controlled or uncontrolled process. Acting that way, chemotherapy kills and 'good cells', including hair follicles, causing typical side effects such as hair loss and other.

The disadvantage in treating prostate cancer is related to the fact prostate cancer cells multiply relatively slowly. This is the reason for chemotherapy is mostly used in aggressive stages of prostate cancer, or when used in common stages, cancer cells need to receive a longer exposure time to the anticancer agent. To compensate the longer exposure a lower dose is prescribed, situation that requires a permanent adjustable schedule of administration and special computerized devices.

It is really up to the patient and his doctors to decide whether on balance the advantages outweigh the risks.

D.Valerian is a freelance writer interested in items such as prostate cancer treatment

Ways to Detect Prostate Cancer and How It Can Be Treated

By Shane Woods

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer found in men today. With 230,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States, the thought alone can make anyone cringe. Just mentioning that you have cancer can be very frustrating and very depressing. You have to consider the fact that cancer is one of the most deadly diseases known to man.

You have to realize the fact that the causes of prostate cancer are not yet very clear in the medical community. There may be theories but it would take a very long time to confirm the theories today that suggests the different causes of prostate cancer.

First of all, you need to be educated on what prostate cancer is in order to know what to expect in case you have one. Prostate cancer is the dangerous duplication of malignant cell in the male prostate gland or in the reproductive organ. You have to consider that almost half of men suffer from problems with their prostate. However, even men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer will have an excellent prognosis. The key to cure prostate cancer is to detect it as soon as possible.

Prostate cancer is a slow-moving disease. The fact that men die from other causes before they even realize the disease will tell you how prostate cancer works. Basically, there are no symptoms on prostate cancer in the early stages of the disease. Only the advanced stage of prostate cancer can have visible symptoms that will include bone pain, leg weakness and incontinence.

Today, you have to consider that your prostate health is very important. You have to realize that cancer is the second-leading killer in the United States and it is definitely a great idea if you know just what's going on in your body.

The advanced stages of prostate cancer will include enlarged prostate gland, difficulty in urinating, little bladder control, and sexual dysfunction. It may also lead to painful ejaculation.

These symptoms can also be the symptoms of nonmalignant prostatitus, which can be easy to treat as long as it is detected and treated on its early stages.

Today, there are different methods to treat prostate cancer. Most of the time, if the cancer has been detected at its early stages and have not spread to other parts of the body, radiation therapy will usually be recommended by your doctor. Another common treatment for prostate cancer is Radical Prostatectomy. In this procedure, the whole prostate and its dependent parts are removed. You have to consider that this type of surgery is very intense and are only recommended for people in good health.

However, on the advanced stages of the cancer, and if it has spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy is usually recommended and is also considered as the best way to treat cancer. It uses chemicals to kill cancer cells.

So, if you are concerned about your prostate health, you should visit your doctor and express your concerns. The doctor may recommend you to a specialist where you will be tested for prostate cancer. Always remember that there is a greater chance of recovery and effective treatment if the prostate cancer is detected at its early stages.

Always keep in mind that there is nothing wrong or embarrassing if you are concerned about your health. The doctor will be able to advice you on the different treatments available and will recommend which treatment is right for you.

For more information on your Prostate Cancer try visiting http://www.prostate-cancer-101.com where you will find a variety of prostate cancer information and resources including Prostate Cancer Treatments.

Understanding The Many Choices in Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

By Tim Gorman

When it comes to prostate cancer treatment options, decisions for a proper course of action are determined through sufficient analysis of ones immediate health status. Numerous factors come into play, including age, overall health, cancer cell amount, cancer stage, as well as personal preferences. Prostate cancer is a highly curable disease when detected and treated early. This slow-growing menace often allows patients to take the time to fully research all possible prostate cancer treatment options before making a final decision.

There are three main approaches towards eliminating prostate cancer. Below you will find a brief explanation regarding these and a few other considerations:

Observation

Through watchful waiting, regular checkups and tests will monitor a slow-growing cancer when caught early enough. This treatment option is often chosen by men who are in their 70s and 80s, as they wish to avoid the side effects that come with having surgery and radiation at a late age.

Surgery

When surgery is performed to remove the cancer, it is called a prostatectomy, where the prostate gland is taken out. During this procedure, lymph nodes might also be removed as well. To make sure surrounding nerves aren’t damaged, such as the ones that are responsible for having an erection, it is suggested to seek out a surgeon who is quite familiar with this type of operation.

Radiation

Intense energy rays (much like X-rays) are used to eradicate cancer through this treatment method. While each treatment lasts for only a minute or two, radiation is administered five times per week for a period of 4-8 weeks. There are two different manners in which radiation is given: internally and externally. A large machine delivers external radiation, while needles inject radioactive seeds into the prostate for an internal remedy. You should also know that this option too has the potential to damage surrounding nerves.

Additional Treatment Methods

While the use of a high level of heat is still being tweaked as a prostate cancer treatment option, freezing the prostate gland to kill off cancer has been used on early-stage cancer patients. Cryosurgery deals with the insertion of probes into the prostate gland that contain very cold gas that freezes damaged tissue. As an outpatient procedure, this may take a lead in providing convenient, speedy cancer care. Only a limited amount of people has experienced this tactic, as it is too soon to conclude on its long-term effectiveness.

Ongoing Treatment

No matter what treatment method you choose, ongoing observation should continue. Regular check-ups are a must, which includes an extensive follow-up on your cancer status. A patient will most likely encounter physical exams, PSA tests, digital rectal exams, biopsies, and urinalysis.

As a patient searches for the answer to calm their prostate cancer fears, it is important to research all possible options, as well as all of the likely side effects. For some, radiation may prove too much to bear on the body, while surgery may ease chemical apprehension. Ultimately, the best outcome is one that is well thought out, matching personal preferences and current health circumstances.

For more prostate cancer treatment options try visiting http://www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com, a website that specializes in providing prostate cancer treatment tips, advice and resources to include information on spotting the signs of prostate cancer.