foodconsumer.org: Andrew Lloyd Webber diagnosed with prostate cancer*

Andrew Lloyd Webber diagnosed with prostate cancer*
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admin on 10/26/2009 21:38:00
 
Famous English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, 61, was diagnosed with early stage
prostate cancer, the media reported on Oct 25.
Lloyd Webber started composing at the age of six and published his first piece
at the age 9, according to wikipedia.
The Oscar-winning composer of some of the greatest British musicals of all time
has announced that he is undergoing treatment.
The disease is reportedly in the early stage and Lloyd Webber is expected to
return to work by the end of the year, according to indepedent.co.uk
Some basics about prostate cancer
Prostate Gland
The prostate gland is part of a man's reproductive system. A healthy prostate
gland is about the size of a walnut but varies with each individual. One needs
to know that this gland keeps growing bigger and bigger in size because of the
stimulation by male hormones (androgens) produced in the testicles.
This gland makes part of the seminal fluid. During ejaculation, the seminal
fluid helps carry sperm out of the man's body as part of semen.
Prostate cancer cells
In normal tissue, cells grow, get old and die. When cells don't die, they can
accumulate, form a mass and when the mass becomes clinically significant, it has
developed into a cancer.
Prostate Cancer Statistics
Prostate cancer is expected to be diagnosed in 192,280 men in 2009 in the Unites
States and the disease will kill 27,360 men this year.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
As always, it is not well known how prostate cancer is caused. Some well known
risk factors are those uncontrollable or nonadjustable risk factors including
age, family history, race, certain prostate change, certain genetic mutations.
Some possible risk factors that are often not well publicized include obesity,
some viruses, folic acid supplements, low serum vitamin D, early sex life, high
intake of meat and dairy products, exposure to x-ray, high protein diet, and too
much serum calcium.
Prostate cancer symptoms
Not all men with prostate cancer experience symptoms. Signs of prostate cancer,
if any, include urinary problems such as not being able to pass urine, having a
hard time starting or stopping the urine flow, needing to urinate often,
specially at night, weak flow of urine, urine flow that starts and stops, pain
or burning sensation during urination; difficulty having an erection, blood in
the urine or semen, frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
You need to know that if you have any of these signs that does not mean you have
prostate cancer. Diagnosis of the disease does not rely on the observation of
these signs.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Two tests are commonly used to diagnose prostate cancer. One is the digital
rectal exam and another is blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This
is a highly unreliable test and misdiagnosis can result from this test because
high readings are not always correctly indicative of prostate cancer.
When the digital rectal exam and PSA test detect a problem, further exams are
needed to confirm whether a growth is cancer. Two procedures commonly used for
the confirmation are transrectal ultrasound and transrectal biopsy. Only a
biopsy can confirm whether any growth is benign or malignant.
Prostate Cancer Staging
When the biopsy shows that you have cancer, more exams such as bone scan, CT
scan and MRI will be conducted to determine the extent (stage) of the disease
and help doctors and you choose the best treatment.
There are 4 stages. Stage 1 and stage 2 means the cancer is within the prostate
and has not spread. Stage 3 means that the tumor has grown beyond the prostate
and may have invaded the seminal vesicles, but not reached the lymph nodes.
Stage 4 means the tumor has spread to the bladder, rectum or other nearby tissue
or organs. It may have reached the lymph nodes, bones or other parts of the
body.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
There are many prostate cancer treatment options including active surveillance,
surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Treatment options
for prostate cancer are determined by the individual's condition. One
individual's prostate cancer treatment may not be the best for another. Talk to
your oncologists and make sure to have a second opinion.
Prostate Cancer Prevention
Life style is the most important factor. What may help prevent prostate cancer
include vitamin E, D, selenium, sun exposure or vitamin D supplements, drinking
green tea, avoiding sex at an early age, to name a few. For a wide list of foods
that you may eat to reduce your risk of prostate cancer, read
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/2/Cancer/what_can_you_eat_to_prevent_prostate_cancer.html
By David Liu and editing by Sheilah Downey
The article is largely based on an document by nih.com and may contain some
content from nih.com.