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PROSTATE CANCER
Prostate cancer, a malignant growth in the outer zone of the prostate gland, is the most common form of cancer among men. Unlike with an enlarged prostate or prostatitis, the prostate diseased with cancer feels hard and knobby. Symptoms of prostate cancer may include the following:
However, most men over 40 should have a blood test to detect elevated levels of prostate- specific antigen (PSA). A PSA of 0 to 4 is considered normal, while a PSA of 10 or higher is considered a possible indicator of prostate cancer. The PSA test should always be repeated, since a variety of non-cancerous factors can influence the PSA level, and the PSA test fails to detect almost one third of all prostate cancers. Further investigative tests should be performed if symptoms are present. Prostate cancer may also be diagnosed by a rectal exam. An ultrasound scan of the prostate can also help with diagnosis. If cancer is suspected after these tests, a tissue sample will be taken for further analysis. If prostate cancer is definitely diagnosed, a patient may have to undergo painful, debilitating, and costly surgery (where the entire prostate is removed or the cancerous segment is removed), radiation therapy, and/or hormone therapy to decrease testosterone levels in the body. More information about prostate cancer is available from the National Cancer Institute. Men of all ages should strive to be proactive by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. Dr. James Balch, a urologist and author of the book Healing with Vitamins, writes "If a man wants to stay out of the operating room and avoid cancer of the prostate, he needs to go full blast - to avoid the high-fat junk foods and environmental toxins that contribute to prostate problems and to start a wise nutritional program that includes the basic supplements that affect the prostate." |


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