Prostate Cancer Information

The prostate is a small gland located under a man's bladder. It is shaped like a doughnut, circling the urethra (the tube that transports urine from the bladder). The prostate produces prostatic fluid which mixes with sperm during a man's ejaculation to provide a transport medium.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men in western countries.  Most prostate tumors are slow very growing and many times do not require treatment. Prostate cancer may also grow rapidly painfully spread to bones. Each year approximately  215,000 men in the USA are diagnosed with prostate cancer.  There are 30,000 new cases per year within the UK; 12,000 in Australia; and 20,000 in Canada.

There are several symptoms associated with prostate cancer.  These include, but are not limited to, the inability to urinate or difficulty passing urine (especially at night); interrupted or weak urine flow; pain and even blood during urination; lower back pain in the lower back, and pain in the upper thighs and hips.

Note:  Other conditions like benign prostate enlargement can also cause these symptoms. Consult your doctor when you have these symptoms.
[More infomation can be found on the "What is prostate cancer" page ...]

More about prostate cancer

Cancer of the Prostate
Several different medical tests are used to detect prostate cancer.  In and of themself, each is not conclusive.  Click for a brief description of the most common.

HORMONE TREATMENT FOR PROSTATE CANCER
Metastasized prostate cancer is generally treated via hormone therapy. (Metatasis is when the cancer has spread elsewhere, typically to the lymph nodes, bones, lungs, or liver.) Once metatisized, the disease cannot be cured by surgery or radiation. 

Prostate Cancer and Sex
Imagine you have cancer involving your sexuality. What happens to the sex drive...what options may exist?  What about family interplay?

Prostate Cancer Facts
The prostate consists of a small gland situated under the bladder in men... More important, let's look at the cause, tests for detection, and prevention of prostate cancer.

Side Effects of Prostate Cancer Treatments
Doctors try not to harm patients, but the side effects of surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy are very significant.  Let's look at the side effects and how to minimize their impact.

The Four Stages of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is identified into four stages. To determine the cancer stage, doctors will complete tests to stage and individualize treatment. Here are the 4 stages:

The Prostate and Cancer
The prostate gland which is the size of a walnut is found in the male of the species and is part of his reproductive system. It is part of the system which includes the testicles to produce semen.

The signs of prostate cancer
Unfortunately it is sometimes difficult to detect prostate cancer in the early stages, especially if the sufferer is elderly and symptoms etc are deemed to be age related. This is one of the reasons

TURP
Occasionally, surgery is required to remove part of or the entire tumor around a man's uretha. The uretha is the tube that transports urine from the bladder.  An operation that takes away...

What is Prostate Cancer
The prostate consists of a small gland which in men, is located under the bladder. It has a doughnut shape and fits around the urethra, a tube that transports urine from the bladder. The prostate produces fluid which mixes

Prostate cancer news on the Web

Lower detection of prostate cancer with PSA screening in US than in a European randomized trial (EurekAlert!)
( Journal of the National Cancer Institute ) Fewer prostate cancers were detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in the US than in a European randomized trial because of lower screening sensitivity, according to a new brief communication published online February 8 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Lower detection of prostate cancer with PSA screening in US than in a European randomized trial (PhysOrg)
Fewer prostate cancers were detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in the U.S. than in a European randomized trial because of lower screening sensitivity, according to a new brief communication published online February 8 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

(AFX UK Focus) 2010-02-09 00:15 UPDATE 1-Amgen: denosumab prostate cancer goal meets goals (Interactive Investor)
LOS ANGELES, Feb 8 (Reuters) - A pivotal trial of Amgen Inc's experimental drug denosumab found that it works better than a rival drug to delay and reduce the risk of fractures and other bone complications in men with prostate cancer, the company said on Monday. News of the results sent the company's share up nearly 3 percent in afterhours trading. Amgen said the 1,900-patient trial, which ...

Denosumab Demonstrated Superiority Over Zometa(R) in Pivotal Phase 3 Head-to-Head Trial in Prostate Cancer Patients ... (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Amgen today announced that a pivotal, Phase 3, head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa® in the treatment of bone metastases in 1,901 men with advanced prostate cancer met its primary and secondary endpoints.

Prostate cancer most common male cancer, generally highly treatable (C-Health)
NDP Leader Jack Layton announced Friday he has joined the tens of thousands of Canadian men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Some facts about prostate cancer:

Commentary: A battle against prostate cancer (Nevada Appeal)
I just returned from Southern California, where I underwent two months' worth of highly targeted proton radiation therapy for prostate cancer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC). My prognosis is very positive and I'm glad to be home. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer last fall, I opted for the LLUMC proton program for several reasons. It's non-invasive, painless and it ...

Amgen Drug Reduces Bone Breaks in Prostate Patients (Update1) (Bloomberg)
Feb. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Amgen Inc. said its experimental drug denosumab cut the risk of bone fractures better than Novartis AG’s Zometa in patients with prostate cancer whose malignancy had spread to their bones. The shares rose in extended trading.

Layton misses first public event a day after announcing he has prostate cancer (The Canadian Press via Yahoo! Canada News)
BRAMPTON, Ont. - Jack Layton has missed his first scheduled public event due to health issues one day after announcing he has prostate cancer.

Enhancing arrest of cell growth to treat cancer in mice (Science Daily)
New research has identified a new type of cellular senescence (i.e., irreversible arrest of cell growth) and determined a way to enhance it to suppress prostate tumor development and growth in mice. These data suggest that enhancing this process might provide a new approach for cancer prevention and therapy.

Layton in treatment for prostate cancer (Ottawa Citizen)
NDP leader Jack Layton has begun receiving treatment for prostate cancer, but will continue as party leader, he announced on Friday.