Prostate Cancer

Question: What does treatment for prostate cancer consist of, and does it affect a male's ability to have sex? A very close friend of ours has been diagnosed with prostate cancer (it really *isn't* my partner or me!) and we were wondering what his treatment options might be. If the prostate gland is removed, does that eliminate the ability to have sex? Probably best to have an older person answer this: it's pretty obvious by the question that this is going to be completely out of the realm of experience for most of the teenagers.

Answer: It can, but new surgical techniques have reduced the risk. I was diagnosed with it about a year ago, but a second opinion from Johns-Hopkins said no. At least not yet. Anyhow, there are a number of different treatments that depend on the age of the patient and the stage of the disease. At my age, 50, and the very early preliminary diagnosis, removal was recommended. There is a new procedure called the da Vinci procedure that is minimally invasive and less likely to lead to the nerve damage that causes impotence. However, it is still a risk, as well as a risk of urinary incontinence. And even if you are not impotent, your orgasms will be dry - seminal fluid is produced by the prostate. There are also other procedures, such as implanting radioactive 'seeds' into the prostate. It is my understanding that the risk of impotence from that or any other radiation procedure is higher than da Vinci surgery, but less than with traditional surgery. Chemo and broader irradiation can be recommended in more advanced cases. My brother had the daVinci procedure, and he is able to have sex. He uses a penile constriction band to maintain an erection; I don't know whether he had any ED problems before. He is able to have orgasms, but as I said, they are dry. Sometimes, again depending on the age,the stage, and how aggressive the cancer, they will recommend leaving it alone. Don't bank on that, though. Here's a link with info on the daVinci procedure. Tell your friend my thoughts and prayers are with him. I know how scary this is. I have to have regular biopsies to keep track of mine, and every time I go through hell waiting for the results. http://www.davinciprostatectomy.com/davinci_prostatectomy/index.aspx If you Google 'prostate cancer stories' there are lots of personal stories on the web.

Question: Can a person with prostate cancer transmit any form of cancer to his mate? Is it prossible to transmit cancer to another person by contact? Case in point: An acquaintance of mine had kidney cancer and prostate cancer each of which have been successfuly cured. Later his wife had uterine cancer. Could her malady have been transmitted by the kidney/prostate cancers?

Answer: Cancer is not a transmitable/contagious disease. It is more likely that they were exposed to the same carcinogen (cancer causing substance). Either that, or plain bad luck! You haven't mentioned their ages or how long they have been together, but if they are an older couple, age is probably the biggest contributing factor.

Question: What is the best surgical procedure to treat prostate cancer? I am from Philippines, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The doctor's advice is to do surgical procedure wherein they have to remove the testicles/scrotum of my dad. Isn't he suppose to remove the prostate instead of removing the testicles/scrotum? Once the testicles are removed, what are the chances of survival if his prostate wont be removed?

Answer: prostate cancer is hormone fired. (it relies on the male hormone to grow and spread), by removing the testicles they remove the hormones. This operation is often performed on quite elderly patients and can be a simpler proceedure than removing the prostate itself.

Question: Why do you think so much more attention is paid to breast cancer over Prostate Cancer? The US Government spends double on breast cancer research over prostate and the corporate disparity is much greater. Campbells soup doesn't have Prostate awareness soup cans! Although deaths from breat cancer are 1/3 higher there are far more cases of prostate cancer, over 240,000 per year. The funding and awarness differential is 300 or 400%. So is it a gender issue, an age issue (tends to be later onset) or What?

Answer: Truthfully, I think it comes down to this: "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Women have aligned themselves behind this cause and worked together- socially, politically- to bring attention to and fight for the research money. They have banded together to raise money and awareness. They've gone through the necessary steps to make sure that this problem is not ignored. Men should do the same for prostate cancer. This is one area that men could learn something from the example of women. I'm not saying this to be sexist. I'm saying it because it's the truth. Men need to band together and fight for what they want. Things aren't just handed to any of us on a "silver platter." We had to struggle for what we wanted to achieve. Prostate cancer indeed does deserve more attention. Men have the power (same as women) to bring this issue to a level of heightened awareness. But I wouldn't stop there. Awareness is a great first step- a necessary one, but take it further: join in force and be political advocates. Don't stop until you reach your goals! You'll find out, along the way, that as others gain awareness, more people will join in the fight for your cause...not just men, but women, too.

Question: NHS spend on testicular and prostate Cancer compared to Breast and cervical ? Me and the wife were having a discussing about the relative nhs investment and mortality rates of male and female cancers (as she is a school nurse assistant). I maintain that male cancers (testicular / prostate) are not taken as seriously as female cancers (breast and cervical) and have less investment in them. Does anyone know if there is a disparity between the four cancers and why this is the case? Please don't cloud the issue by telling me that men suffer with breast cancer, I know!

Answer: I think some of it is how much coverage they get. Breast cancer has a huge promotional effort behind it and is a big money make so they spend lots of money on research.

Question: How common is prostate cancer in people in their 20's? I am currently only 21 and I think I may have prostate cancer. I constantly feel like I have to piss even when I really don't. I also have the lower back, stomach, and other pains associated with prostate cancer. I also for the first time in my life find myself having to take naps to get through the day (fatigue is also sometimes associated with prostate cancer. All of the online studies say that prostate exams should start between an age of 40 - 50. How often do people my age get prostate cancer?

Answer: not very often. That is why they do not check for it until then but your prostate can be swollen for other reasons causing problems like this. Consult a doctor. Do not worry too much but be active in getting to the root of this so it does not get worse

Question: Can prostate cancer be worse for someone who already had multiple sclerosis? My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday. The doctor says it's early and is extremely optimistic. I have read about it online and the prognosis looks good. Unfortunately, my father has multiple sclerosis that is pretty advanced as well. He was diagnosed over 25 years ago and is wheelchair bound. Will his multiple sclerosis have any effect on his prostate cancer prognosis?

Answer: Hi Ashley, I have had multiple sclerosis for twenty years now. Those of us with MS supposedly have compromised immune systems. As a consequence, we might have a more difficult time fighting off any other disease, inflammation or infection. That does not mean that we cannot survive cancer or any other disease. It simple means that we just might have a more difficult time. Many of us have a dual-diagnosis and live near normal life spans. My best wishes to you and your Dad.

Question: How long can you live with Prostate cancer? About ten years or so ago I went to the doctor and asked about Prostate cancer screening. He said I was too young. Besides being over worked under paid and uninsured I have a pain in my scrotum and it feels like I have an 8 ball in between my crotch. I have been doing a lot of heavy lifting and I am exhausted. Everything works fine down there but I am very tired. A friend of mine had kidney cancer and he died shortly afterwards, he complained of being tired. Also my bones hurt. I was thinking that I could have a body infection. Should I be terminated by lethal injection? Getting sick is a sin in this country, I should be punished. Of course I could be over reacting, it has been a terrible week.

Answer: While prostate cancer is a known killer, it, like all cancers, can take from a few weeks to several years to really get you. Ypou didn;t say your age but if you are over 15 and asked for a prostate check, the doctor should oblige. In fact all guys once they are pretty well through puberty should have everything checked annually. Unfortunately, unless one is insured and the insurance covers routine medicals, very few people actually get them. And due to embarassment or whatever even those who do get routine checkups don't insist on genitals being thoroughly examined. As for your current pain in the scrotum, I would be more suspocious of a hernia or similar problem causing the discomfort especially given you do heavy lifting. so insured or not, it is tiem to get an appointment with a doctor who will give you a thorough exam in the genital region to determine wha tis right and what is in need of treatment.

Question: Can you help with this question about prostate cancer and pomegranate juice? I have a strong family history of prostate cancer (father & older brother). I am now over 65 and my PSA tests have remained at normal levels I have that test and a rectal exam by a urologist done annually. I've heard recently that pomegranate juice may be of value in treating men wiith prostate cancer whose cancer is still progressing despite radiation and/or hormonal therapy. What I'd like to know is this: (1) Is there any evidence that it might help in preventing or delaying onset of the disease? and (2) Is there any indication it could interfere with early diagnosis by skewing the PSA test? Cat Lover: Thank you for your kind remarks. Last year after reading an article that advised taking 4 times the usual recommended dose of Vitamin D3 I asked my urologist about it and he was able to tell me nothing. I think he would have no more information about pomegranate juice. I find that most doctors' knowledge of therapies is restricted to treatment of trauma, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and the latest drugs the big pharmaceutical companies are pushing. They don't seem to know or even care about alternative therapies. I know, of course, there are exceptional doctors who do, but it's difficult to find them.

Answer: Why don't you ask your doctor? Most of the men (boys) who answer questions here are too young to even think of prostate cancer! They are more obsessed about sex! I think this pomegranate juice theory is relatively new, and no real studies have been done. Your best bet is to keep on having the PSA tests regularly. You are at the age where it is very important to do this. I have no idea whether the juice would interfere with the PSA test or not. Again, ask your doctor. And just because there has been a lot of prostate cancer in your family, doesn't guarantee you will get it. Just keep having those tests! If you should get it, treatment is so much better these days than it was years ago. Good luck!

Question: Why is there not a large prostate cancer awareness movement like there is for breast cancer? I ask this considering prostate cancer is more prevalent than breast cancer. Good god. I am not complaining. I am just wondering why there isn't one. Gwennie B, that is such a stereotpye. Believe it or not, most men are capable of being mature adults. I'm sorry to say it, but your mentality about men is childish. No harm done, Gwennie.

Answer: There is generally more focus on diseases that affect women now, due partly to the fact that women's diseases (breast cancer does affect men, but not very often, enough that it really could be considered a gendered disease) weren't always given the same treatment as men's diseases for years. Now we've gone the opposite way on these things. I do believe, however, that if someone started a movement, it would take off, assuming they knew what they were doing and had money, which we don't all have. All it really would take is someone like Lance Armstrong with testicular cancer, although Armstrong used his yellow ribbons to promote all kinds of cancer. Here, I think, if there is any problem, we'd run into it. For whatever reason, it's not socially acceptable to only focus on men these days, and I do think if there was a large enough movement somebody would complain about that too. However, by and large I think it would be embraced.

Question: Prostate Cancer? I did not know what to make of this mornings news. A mixture of emptiness (not knowing what to think) and shock still pains my insides. My childhood crush, who I haven't seen in over 2 years is possibly dying from prostate cancer. It has spread to his stomach. I would like to ask if it is common among young men (20), and if genetics plays a major role? (He's father died of prostate cancer before he was born.) Does he have any chances of survival?

Answer: Prostate cancer is usually common in men over 50 while it is uncommon in men less than 45. Many factors, including genetics and diet, have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer. His father who had prostate cancer would suggest he acquired it genetically. His chances of survival would depend on stage of his cancer now. It seems that it had already spread on other organs according to your description so it would depend on ho far it has gone and how big the tumors are if there 's any. The appearance of his cancer cells ( Gleason score) would also help to tell his prognosis. The doctor would know and is the one who can tell. Anyway, just by your brief description we cannot tell what is going on exactly. He may have the different treatments available as he is still young so let's just extend prayers and your moral support would count a lot.

Question: What is the best age to check your prostate for cancer? Is getting your prostate check really neccesary? I for one, refuse a doctor to stick his finger up my you know what, I detest pain. So I am asking again is all this neccessary, what actually is the percentage of males getting prostate cancer

Answer: That depends:if you are having pee-problems all the time it is time to have it checked.Can be at any age. But normally they check after you get 40-45 And they check the PSA and DRC. And it is really necessary to have it done:out of false shame yearly people hundreds die unneeded. Kind regards:Sky.

Question: What are the odds that an orchiectomy will reduce the size of the prostate if you have prostate cancer at 87? I have had prostate cancer for years, now all of a sudden a new urologist says I need my testicles removed to slow the growth. Unless it will reduce the size of the prostate and allow me to urinate without a catheter, why shouldn't I just stick with the injections if it accomplishes the same thing chemically? Is there any benefit to surgery that is worth the pain and risk?

Answer: i'd get another opinion.

Question: Can you still have children and be firtile after prostate cancer? If you get prostate cancer twice, and had half the left testical removed each time (So he is only left with the right), is a man still fertile? If so is there reduced chance of fathering children etc?

Answer: My neighbor father a second child after testicle cancer and treatment. It is his! Shocked everyone.

Question: How long can someone live with advanced prostate cancer? My dad is 53 years old and he was diagnosed a few days ago with advanced prostate cancer.. I don't know a lot of details.. just that his cancer extended a little on the tissues that are near the prostate.. He is taking hormonal medicine and an injection every 2 weeks.. I think the cancer is inoperable.. So, what can I except?

Answer: http://www.cancer.gov/prostate this site gives you info you made need.

Question: After prostate cancer operation does a man lose his sex desire? I am not up on this topic so I must ask an expert here. I have written to a man who has has prostate cancer and the operation. I do not know him well so I do not ask this question. If I start to like this man, I am curious about what his sexual activies could or could not be. I am not hot and heavy into sex, but wonder where he is coming from.

Answer: Most of the time the nerve sparing surgery is performed. Some men have had penile implants that have had nerve damage so they can continue to have sex. I have heard men openly talk about it before. I would just follow his lead.