Prostate Cancer

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In its early stages, prostate cancer may not present any symptoms. As it progresses slowly, it may begin to show a few symptoms. Men above 70 diagnosed with prostate cancer and those with PSA level below 2.5 who show no sign of deterioration are often advised not to treat the cancer but engage in what is termed “active surveillance” or “watchful waiting.” Active surveillance includes diet, exercise and stress management, and those who opt for this are often perceived to have better quality of life than those who are treated. However, monitoring the PSA level regularly is important for those who choose watchful waiting.

Normal Prostate

Age is a major risk factor for prostate cancer. Two-thirds of all prostate cancer cases occur in men above 65 years. Race is another factor. Prostate cancer occurs 60% more often in African – Americans than in Caucasians and Hispanic – Americans. And it occurs less frequently in people of Asian descent than in Hispanics and Caucasians. Diet is also a factor. High animal protein intake is associated with increased risk of breast, prostate, pancreatic, colon, kidney and endometrial cancers. Too much protein tends to produce large amounts of nitrogenous waste in the intestines, some of which get converted to the highly carcinogenic compounds, nitrosamines and ammonium salts. Therefore, men who consume diet low in vegetables and fruits but high in red meat and dairy products are at greater risk. Equally at risk are men who lead sedentary life. Men who have had a vasectomy could also have increased risk.

Possible Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Difficulty in urinating.
Urinary retention (bladder retains urine)

Enlarged Prostate

Weak urinary flow. (narrow urine streams)
Burning / painful urination
Difficulty stopping urination
Erection difficulty
Bloody urine
Painful ejaculation
Frequent feeling of urgency to urinate, especially at night.
Pain in the pelvis, thighs and lower back.

The Problem With Conventional Treatment

Surgery and radiotherapy are the conventional treatment often used for prostate cancer. Chemotherapy is generally not used for prostate cancer because of its disappointing results.

Surgery

The most common treatment for men who have localized prostate cancer is radical prostatectomy (removal of the whole prostate gland). Surgery may entail the removal of neurovascular structures that lead to the penis, which can result in erectile dysfunction and incontinence.

Radiation Therapy

This includes external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy, in which radioactive material sealed into pellets, rods, catheters or wires is put inside the prostate. Radiation of the prostate and its surrounding areas often causes gastrointestinal toxicity. Cancer Communication Newsletter has come out strongly against mainstream media for dangerously distorting the facts about the conventional procedure, which includes failure to disclose the hazardous side effects of radiation in prostate cancer treatment. According to the Cancer Communication Newsletter, radiation therapy (brachytherapy) – implanting of radiation seeds in the prostate gland – given routinely for early signs of prostate cancer can actually hasten the development of the cancer. In less than 2 months after radiation treatment, prostate cancer cells can double, while unradiated cancer cells may take an average of 4 years to double. (SOURCE: Cancer Communication Newsletter, 12:4 September 1996, 15-16).

Hormone Therapy

This therapy given to men with prostate cancer has many side effects, including menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, mood swing and sleep disturbance. Another possible side effect is osteoporosis. Androgen suppressors (drugs that suppress the production of male hormones, especially testosterone) are often used. Commonly used androgen suppression drugs include leuprolide (lupron), bicalutamide (casodex), and gosereline (zoladex). Prostate cancer is a cancer that often develops slowly, which gives men sufficient time to educate themselves about the treatment options available. Considering all the risks and serious side effects of conventional medical procedure for prostate cancer, the best treatment options worth pursuing by men with prostate cancer are the alternative therapies like those offered at Immanu-el Cancer Help Centre. They entail no surgical mutilation, they are non-toxic and they are completely safe.

Did You Know?

Most men survive prostate cancer.

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