Tag Archives: Prostate Cancer

PRP and Nerve Function in Penis

September 23, 2014

 

Using PRP to Preserve Nerve Function in The Penis After Post Radical Prostatectomy

Penis For many patients, undergoing radical prostatectomy, a complex surgical procedure that is meant to remove prostate cancer, means that they lose their penile ability, at least for some time. On average, it has been established that following this procedure, patients have to wait for one to two years before regaining this innate ability. This is so because the nature of the procedure inflicts widespread damage to the sensitive nerves that are responsible for the function. Other factors such as thermal damage and the overall impact of the procedure add to this, thus contributing to the long time that one has to stay without the ability. Although this is the case, the possibility of using Penile Rehabilitation Procedures (PRPs) to help patients has been a subject of discussion. This article is based on how such programs can be effectively used to help patients.

The impact of Radical Prostatectomy on the functioning of the penis

Radical Prostatectomy(RP)is a type of surgery that is used on patients who have prostate cancer. Its effectiveness lies in the fact that such a type of prostate cancer is usually benign, being restricted to the organ of the patient. The impact of the procedure is usually felt on two levels: the nervous and the physiological. On the physiological level, radical prostatectomy causes a number of far – reaching consequences to the patient. For instance, studies have indicated that the flow of blood within the prostate region of patients who have undergone the procedure changes significantly. Such changes in the blood supply, which is technically referred to as venous leakage, interrupt the normal hematological processes of the region, thus leading to erectile dysfunction.

Also, the procedure inevitably leads to destruction of major nerves within the region. Although this has been minimized by adoption of Robot – Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP), the procedure always leads to erectile dysfunction. Studies have indicated that loss of nerve functions within the area is a result of death of the cells that are responsible for the functioning of smooth muscles in the region. This leads to an interference of the amount of fibers found in the smooth muscles, a condition which persists for between one and two years, depending on the patient and other factors.

Use of Penile Rehabilitation Procedures

Since many men continue to experience the desire to have sex well in their old age, it is very important that such men, who may have lost their erectile ability soon after the procedure to remove prostate cancer, find help about the issue. Further, the fact that studies have indicated that over 80% of all patients who undergo the procedure experience erectile dysfunction means that the need for penile rehabilitation procedures remains a reality.

The overall goal of penile rehabilitation procedures is to help a patient regain the ability to initiate and sustain an erection that is strong enough to enable him successfully engage in a sexual act. Theoretically, since it has been pointed out that loss of erection in such patients is a result of disturbance in the flow of blood in the prostate region as well as destruction of the functioning of the cells of the smooth muscles, the procedures seek to reverse these effects. Apart from restoring a normal flow of blood within the penis, the procedures seek to reverse the effect of fibrosis in the penile muscles thus enabling a patient to have normal erections.

Types of Penile Rehabilitation Procedures

There are several types of penile rehabilitation procedures that can be used on patients. Since most of them have specific advantages and disadvantages, the choice of which particular method to be used depends on the opinion of the practitioner and the wishes of the patient.

Use of PDE-Inhibitors

The first method entails use of special drugs that inhibit hormones which have been known to interfere with the chemical process that leads to an erection. Known as PDE-5 inhibitors, these drugs make it easy for blood to flow within the penis tissue by causing the smooth muscles to relax. They are usually taken an hour or so prior to engaging in sexual activity.

Regardless of their ease of use, the success rate of these drugs, particularly in patients who have undergone Radical Prostatectomy remains low. What this means is that although the drugs have been used to effectively treat erectile dysfunction, their success with men who have undergone Radical Prostatectomy remains a matter of concern.

Use of special devices

Special devices can also be used as part of the Penile Rehabilitation Procedures. There are several such special devices that one can use to ensure that he gets and maintains an erection during sexual intercourse. One of them is the venous constriction device which is a small loop that is worn at the base of the penis prior to intercourse. The device works by limiting the amount of blood that flows from the penis through the veins, thus enabling a person to sufficiently maintain a stiff erection.

PenisAnother one is the vacuum constriction device which, as the name suggests, works by sucking blood into the penis thus initiating an erection. The device is usually used minutes to intercourse and its efficiency has been commendable.

Conclusion

Although research has indicated that majority of men who have undergone Radical Prostatectomy lose the ability to initiate and maintain an erection, there is hope: use of Penile Rehabilitation Procedures. If you have this condition, you may consider contacting us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for Personalized Penile Rehabilitation Procedures.

 

Using PRP to Preserve Nerve Function in The Penis After Post Radical Prostatectomy

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Pomegranate Juice and Prostate Cancer

September 3, 2014

Research Shows That Pomegranate Juice Slows Rate of Growth in Prostate Cancer Cells

Prostate cancer

Today there are very many alternatives that cancer patients can use when seeking treatment. Nature has always given the best treatment for most diseases and cancer is no exception.

Cancer is a disease that has terrorized the human race. It is a killer disease that to many people may sound a death sentence. It has also proved to be extremely expensive to treat especially through conventional methods. Over the past years cancer treatment had been that of pain and agony. The disease in itself is synonymous to pain plus the treatment that were used in a bid to help the patients ended up adding them more pain if at least it did not kill them at all. In the past years the most known cancer treatments were chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Cancer treatment through surgery has the same risk as any other medical surgery. It involved removing the tumor cells. On the other hand chemotherapy and radiation therapy are methods that aims at killing the cancer cells therefore reducing their spread or better yet killing them outright. These two methods of treatment also kills the healthy cells and so the patient faces lots of risk in that he may also die from the side effects of the treatment.

For these reasons medical researchers, nutritionists among other bodies have been developing ways of killing the cancerous cells without affecting the healthy body cells. Several alternative approaches to cancer treatment have been developed and some are still developed as doctors are in endless discoveries on better treatment of the disease. Among the recently discovered cancer treatment alternative is the use of pomegranate juice which is specifically effective in treating prostate cancer.

Pomegranate juice is known to have very many antioxidants that may help in fighting very many diseases. However this does not necessarily mean that it can cure prostate cancer or any other type of cancer until a research finding finds out that it does so. Pom wonderful, a company that deals in products made from pomegranate has been promoting their juice as having the ability to fight prostate cancer among other benefits. It therefore funded very many researches to prove that certainly pomegranate juice has ability to fight prostate cancer. However when a company that makes a product funds research about its product, the findings will be perceived as biased.

Studies on this subject

Of all these studies only one study has been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal that looks at the effect of drinking pomegranate juice on prostate cancer. This study was done in 2006 and was funded by Pom Wonderful. The company has often used the findings of this study as a proof of its claims that their juice can help fight prostate cancer. The study involved 46 men who were either treated through surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. These men had rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, which is interpreted as a sign that their prostate cancer had reoccurred. They were given 8 ounces of Pom Wonderful to drink daily for about 2 years. The study found that the men’s rising PSA levels slowed, which shows that the rate of their prostate cancer growth was slowed.

Other studies have also been done. In one of these studies, the scientists grew cells from the most aggressive human prostate cancer in cultured tissues. In this study it was found that prostate cancer reduced the rate of the growth of cancer cells and caused apoptosis in the prostate cancer cells. Researchers again planted prostate cancer cells in mice. Some of the mice were given water that was laced with pomegranate juice while others were not given pomegranate juice. It was found that prostate cancer cell growth was reduced in the mice that were treated with pomegranate juice. By the end of the experiment it was found that the mice that were not treated with pomegranate juice had larger tumors than those that were treated with pomegranate juice. The researchers also did test on men with prostate cancer where it was found that pomegranate juice increased the PSA doubling time. The longer the PSA doubling time the slower the tumor growth rate. This research was not funded by pom wonderful and so is more believable.

prostrate Cancer

Pomegranate has not only been promoted for prostate cancer treatment but has also been found to be potent enough to promote cardiovascular health. When studies were done on test tubes, animals and humans it was found that it has very many benefits in treating cardiovascular diseases. It has the ability to protect bad cholesterol from oxidative damage. Other clinical studies revealed that the carotid artery thickness reduced greatly and blood flow was also improved in those people who drank pomegranate.

These earlier studies have given grounds that pomegranate has very many health benefits and has the potential of mitigating the effects of prostate cancer by reducing the rate of tumor growth. However there is need for more research in this field to ascertain the effectiveness of pomegranate in treating prostate cancer. Meanwhile if you decide to use pomegranate in treating your cancer, discuss with your doctor first.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced integrative cancer doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has worked hard not only in treating the disease but also in availing informational support to cancer patients at Awaremed which has become a place called home for many cancer patients. Call on her now and get help on cancer.

Research Shows That Pomegranate Juice Slows Rate of Growth in Prostate Cancer Cells

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Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) Applied in Cancer Treatment

August 31, 2014

Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) As Used In Cancer Treatment

Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that has been a trouble in life of very many men for quite a long time. In men it is the type of cancer that has caused many deaths in men. It is as scary to many as breast cancer is to women. The best way to deal with prostate cancer is to great it before it spreads beyond the prostate. As known when prostate cancer metastasizes it becomes very difficult for it to be treated even with the known conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. There is need to reduce the chances of this disease reoccurring after treatments. It is common for progression of prostate cancer tumors even after radiation therapy or surgery. Therefore other ways that can be utilized by doctors in curbing the dangers of metastatic cancers are being developed to make prostate cancer containable. One of the alternatives that are used for prostate cancer treatment is the Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for cancer treatment is also referred to as hormone therapy. Scientists have proved that prostate cancer cells cannot grow without androgens. They can neither survive without these androgens and therefore this presents an avenue through which this disease can be fought. Testosterone and other male hormones play a vital role in the growth and survival of prostate cancers and therefore if their activities can be inhibited then the growth of prostate cancers can be reduced greatly. Androgen is a term used to refer to all male hormones including testosterone which is the most dominant male hormone. Androgen deprivation therapy aims at reducing the amounts of androgens in the body of a male. When the male hormones are reduced the growth of cancer cells become slowed which helps in reducing the effects of prostate cancer and prevent metastasis. Reducing androgens also helps in shrinking the prostate cancer tumors.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can be used with other conventional cancer treatment methods like chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is said to be very effective when used with these treatment methods and can be utilized in cases in where there is high possibility of prostate cancer returning. In other cases radiation therapy or surgery may not be able to clear all the cancerous cells in the prostate therefore Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can be used to tame the remaining tumors so that they do not cause adverse effects on the patients who may still be undergoing treatment.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has also been said to be very effective in treating prostate cancer that has metastasized and hence cannot be treated with conventional methods like radiation therapy and surgery. In this scenario it may not completely do away with the disease but it will help reduce pain in the patients as well as help them live longer. Androgen deprivation therapy is also very effective in suppressing the prostate cancer cells that are reflected on the lower levels of prostate- specific antigen (PSA).

Apart from its beneficial complementary use alongside conventional cancer treatment methods like radiation therapy and surgery, Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can also be used as an alternative prostate cancer treatment replacing surgery and radiation therapy. This is possible since the prostate cancer cells can’t survive without these androgens.

How to reduce Androgens

Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)There are some medicines that can be taken to reduce the androgens in the body of males. This is the most used method of reducing androids. There is also another method that can be used to reduce the androgens in the body of men. This is the removal of the testicles surgically. However this method is the least used. It is referred to as orchiectomy. Testicles is where more than 90% of the male hormones are made so removing the testicles can be the shortest way to reduce the male hormones but it is rarely used since it is permanent. The testicles can never be replanted after surgery.

Here are some of the drugs that are used in reducing the androgens in men

  • Antiandrogens– Antiandrogens help block the body’s supply of testosterone. There are steroidal antiandrogens and non-steroidal antiandrogens. The steroidal antiandrogens include megestrol while the non-steroidal antiandrogens include bicalutamide, cyproterone, flutamide, and nilutamide. The antiandrogens drugs sometimes are used along with LH-RH agonists for effectiveness.
  • LH-RH agonists and GnRH agonists– These drugs are effective in reducing androgens since they stop the body from making testosterone. They include goserelin, histrelin , leuprolide, and triptorelin.
  • GnRH antagonists– These drugs work well in reducing androgen since they stop the body from making testosterone. They work more instantly and they also mitigate the side effects that are caused by GnRH agonists. An example of GnRH antagonist is degarelix.
  • Androgen inhibitors-These drugs work by inhibiting the enzymes that the body requires to continue making the androgens especially testosterone. Examples of androgen inhibitors include; ketoconazole and abiraterone.

In some cases the LH-RH agonist and antiandrogens can be used at the same time complementarily to fight prostate cancer. In this case it is known as combined androgen blockade (CAB). It has been proved that men who undergo combined androgen blockade that flutamide or nilutamide lives much longer than men who undergo androgen deprivation therapy.

Side effects of androgen deprivation therapy

One of the major side effects of this therapy is the increased risk of heart related mortality. Other side effects includes; osteoporosis, higher levels of fats in blood, low muscle mass and increased body mass, low red blood cell count, increased risk to diabetes.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced integrative cancer doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has worked hard not only in treating the disease but also in availing informational support to cancer patients at Awaremed which has become a place called home for many cancer patients. Call on her now and get help on cancer.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) As Used In Cancer Treatment

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Did You Know Sex Has Its Health Benefits?

August 29, 2014

The amazing Health benefits of sex

health benefits of sexEngaging in sex gives much more benefits that just getting you closer to your partner and fulfilling your romantic fantasies. Sexual intercourse according many researchers has been found to give more physical health benefits to a person who does it regularly. Some of the health benefits that have been discovered include the following;

  • Reduces the risk of High blood pressure

Researchers have linked sex to lower blood pressures. Dr. Joseph Pinzone MD who is the CEO and medical director at Amai wellness agrees that sex has an effect in lowering the blood pressure levels. He says that sexual intercourse reduces the systolic blood pressure. Hence engaging in sexual intercourse can help you in reducing the risk of high blood pressure

A researcherBarry R. Komisaruk, PhD who is a celebrated service professor at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey says that orgasm can block pain. He opines that during sex several hormones are released that work in way to combat pain. This therefore means that sex may offer help in case of mild headache. He goes on to explain that even stimulation without orgasm can help in pain reduction. “We’ve found that vaginal stimulation can block chronic back and leg pain, and many women have told us that genital self-stimulation can reduce menstrual cramps, arthritic pain, and in some cases even headache,” says Komisaruk.

  • Better sleep (click here)

It is not a surprise to realize that you always go to sleep faster after sex and you tend to have a very deep sleep which is good for whole body rest. This is not a miracle but scientists have discovered that during sex particularly after orgasm a hormone known as prolactin is released. This hormone is responsible for feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. Sheenie Ambardar, MD. She is a psychiatrist in West Hollywood, Calif is the mind behind this discovery.

  • Exercises the body

Sex involves body movements especially in the waist and butt area hence stretching the muscles in these areas offering a great exercise. The honest truth is that however thorough or long the sex is it cannot replace the treadmill but it contributes as a form of less strenuous exercise. As you are involved in sexual intercourse you will be using about five calories per minute, so the longer the activity the more calories you will break. Sex also improves the heat rate. Pinzone advises that you should be consistent in sex to reap the benefits. Just create time for it and enjoy the huge benefits.

  • Reduces prostate cancer risk

health benefits of sexProstate cancer has terrorized most men and is one of the diseases that men fear most. Already there very many proposed alternative to prostate cancer treatment. Sex according to study which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association can reduce a person’s risk of getting prostate cancer. The study found that men who ejaculate frequently reduce their risk of prostate cancer. This study explains that this can be achieved even through nocturnal emissions and masturbation. Therefore you can reap this benefit without a partner.

Sex has also been linked to reduced occurrences of running nose, sneezing and even wheezing. These symptoms can ruin your day however if new research findings are to be believed then you can reduce these occurrences by engaging in sex. Researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania found out that people who have sex frequently have higher levels of an antibody known as immunoglobulin A (IgA). These antibodies are very effective in fighting colds and flu keeping you healthy. This is a good reason to spare some time and enjoy sex in your marriage.

  • Reduces Cramps in Women

Some of the problems that women go through during their monthly periods are the cramps that make that ordeal rather unpleasant. Experts say that engaging in sex can reduce the cases of cramps. Experts explain that when a woman achieves an orgasm her uterus contracts thereby removing the compounds that may cause cramps out of the body. Orgasm also helps in that as the uterus contracts it expels the blood faster hence ending the periods faster that well the uterus has not contracted.

According to researchers at Yale University School of Medicine when a woman goes horizontally when menstruating helps to decrease the chances of endometriosis, a common condition in which uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, causing pelvic pain and lots of pain during sexual intercourse. It is not easy accept sex during menstruation and the common guilt is that you may mess everything. Use a towel on top of bed sheet and stick to lying on your back. As known when you lie on your back the flow is always lighter. Michelle Callahan, Ph.D. endorses the benefits of sex during menstruation.

  • Makes you look younger

Engaging in sex makes a woman seem younger than her age. In a study that was done at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, a panel of judges viewed participants through a one-way mirror and guessed their ages. The research revealed that women who frequently had sex seemed to be 7 to 12 years younger than they actually were. This is because during intercourse the body releases hormones such as the estrogen and testosterone which makes the body seem young and active. Hormone estrogen softens the skin and makes hair shiny.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has also helped many people regain their sex appetite and add more fun into their sexual life. She founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center which is home to many people seeking health breakthrough. Call on her now and learn more on how to enhance your sexual health.

The amazing Health benefits of sex

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Fatty Acid and Prostate Cancer

August 19, 2014

Research Shows That Fatty Acids May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk

Fatty acidCancer is a disease that has continued to terrorize the human race hence poising lots of challenges to the world oncologists who are trying to curb this disease that has depopulated the world greatly. The disease is not only expensive to treat but also causes lots of pain to its victims. In fact the word cancer is synonymous to pain. Pollution in our environments has exposed us to a greater risk of getting cancer. The foods we eat also play an important role in cancer. Whatever you eat can either help you stay cancer free or will put you at a greater risk of getting this disease. Nutritionists have been involved in cancer treatments and very many researchers have done lots of work in the past to come up with those dietary components that should be avoided at all cost and those that should be used by cancer patients as well as any other healthy person who is interested in keeping away from the disease.  The research that has been done in the past has led to introduction of cancer treatment alternatives that are solely based on diet. Some of the naturopathic treatments involve use of dietary manipulations to interfere with the growth of cancer cells as well as boost immunity an example of diet based treatments is the Gerson’s Therapy. The Gerson’s therapy involves the use of fruits and vegetable soups which are good in improving the body’s immunity as well as fighting free radicals that are known to cause cancer.

Typically, doctors would recommend the use whole foods as they are rich in fiber which is a vital meal component as it helps in excretion of toxic compounds out of the body of the patient. As opposed to commercially grown foods that are mostly genetically modified for faster growth rates, the natural unprocessed whole foods are free from harmful chemicals that may increase our risk of getting cancer. It is therefore advisable to eat foods that are not toxic and will help in fighting cancer.

However there are some dietary components that should be avoided at all cost as they increase your chances of getting cancer. Researchers have linked fatty acids to higher cancer risks and it is therefore safer to avoid foods rich in fatty acids especially the plasma phospholipid fatty acid which is a major culprit.

Study shows Fatty acids increases risks

In a study that was carried out in the US for over 7 years investigating the effects of selenium, vitamin E and a combination of both selenium and vitamin E on patients suffering from prostate cancer, it was found that the unlike selenium which did not invoke any incidence of cancer when supplement there were increased prostate cancer cases in patients that were given vitamin E by up to 17 percent as compared to a group that were on placebo. This study involved three groups of men. Those who had cancer at different stages; those who had high grade cancer, those who had low grade cancer as well as those who had no cancer at all. This study investigated the impacts of increased levels of omega 3 fatty acids on prostate cancer. The findings of this study showed that increased levels of fatty acids in the blood especially docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids increased the risk to prostate cancer.

The study therefore finalized that eating marine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids will increase a person’s risk to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a leading killer of men especially in developed countries and just like other cancers it is also influenced by both environmental as well as behavioral changes. Factors such as family cancer history, age, obesity, chronic inflammation, tobacco smoking and even sexual behaviors come to play but most importantly are nutrition. It is therefore advisable that we should limit the amount of meat we consume but increase our meat and vegetable consumption in order to reduce cancer risk. It is also important to reduce the level of cytokinins in case of obesity. Cytokinins have been linked to different types of cancers and so the lower the levels of cytokinins the better.

It has also been proved that the high content of omega 6 and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the western countries diets has increased the cases of prostate cancer.  The omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are highly attributed to prostate cancer risks unlike the omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that has been shown to have anti-proliferative effects on tumor cells which may function well in cancer prevention alongside other metabolic processes.

Fatty acid It is also good to note that other researches that were done on the relationship of high levels of omega 3 fatty acids and prostate cancer yielded different results. In one study it was found that eating fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids has favorable effects in fighting cancer while another study showed that it had no effect on cancer. Researchers are still working to find the consistent relations between the levels of omega 3 fatty acids and prostate cancer. Omega 3 however is associated with food adducts which may increase incidences of prostate cancer. It is also said that fish may have disruptors, such as bisphenols or traces of pesticides which are known causes of hormonal based cancers like prostate cancer.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced integrative cancer doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has worked hard not only in treating the disease but also in availing informational support to cancer patients at Awaremed which has become a place called home for many cancer patients. Call on her now and get help on cancer.

Research Shows That Fatty Acids May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk

 

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