The Prostate Challenge, Ignorance MAY Be Bliss, But It
Can Also Harm You Significantly.
I received a very interesting note
this past week. The writer wanted to alert others about
possible prostate problems and why we shouldn't neglect
to test for them. I thought this would be an excellent
time to answer not only Sam, but also many other men …or
those who really care about their male friends. In my
answer, I will "interrupt" the sentences and give
explanations. (I find that when I answer my emails like
this, it gets to the heart of the question quickly.) So
here is Sam's letter.
"Hi Karin,
My name is Sam and last October I
was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.
After learning that 4 out of 7
biopsies were in the 4-5 range, I opted for surgery and
it was successfully performed 2 weeks later. I have had
several post-op blood tests and the PSA levels are as
near zero as possible. So hopefully I'm over this
episode. Why I'm writing you is the fact that I had no
prior symptoms with this and if I hadn't gone in for my
yearly physical I probably wouldn't have been here much
longer. When they finally excised the tumor, they found
that it was close to becoming unencapsulated and we both
know, at that point there isn't much they can do but
radiation, hope and a lot of prayers. Since you write
medical articles for The Pebble and they have such a
large readership, could you explain that all men over
the age of 45 should be checked for this? I know it's
not pleasant, but it beats the alternative. I also
realize that most men experience some pain or discomfort
when this is present but if I was totally unaware so are
a lot of other men. I've talked to several friends but
most look at me like I'm crazy when I make the
suggestion. You know, it's a man thing. "No one is
putting their finger up my rectum. That's disgusting".
Thanks, Sam"
A healthy body functions well and
generally doesn't cause any difficulty. In fact you can
and do take for granted that everything is in running
order. So it's very inconvenient and noticeable when
some part of your body doesn't seem to be working
properly. For many of you men, it is not normal to
discuss unusual symptoms. You tend to ignore them. You
probably work harder just to compensate for the
challenge. How can you find out if everyone else also
has your symptoms? Like counterfeit money, you need to
know the normal picture in order to recognize the
abnormal. But because everyone is different, and as men,
you don't discuss personal things, you may not often
recognize the abnormal. And thinking that what you have
is normal, could cause you trouble.
Here are some abnormal conditions.
And when you experience these over a relatively long
period of time (several months), you should consult a
doctor. Yes, that would be inconvenient, but as Sam
suggests: "what's the alternative..."
Frequent urge to urinate (pass
your "water"), burning sensation when passing your
water, being unable to empty the bladder completely,
difficulty getting stream started, weaker than normal
flow, dribbling at the end, pus in urine (white strands
of floating tissue), having to get up frequently at
night. Pain or discomfort in the lower back, scrotum,
and the anus (opening into the rectum) lower abdomen,
upper thighs, above pubic area. Vague discomfort during
ejaculation, blood in semen, or fluid that seems a
thicker and darker colour than normal, prostate becoming
larger quickly or being bothersome, fever and /or
chills. These are the main ones. This list is by no
means complete, but it does give you a start for
comparison.
Here is a quick and very basic
anatomy lesson. The urinary system starts with two
kidneys, which filter liquid waste products, then send
the fluid through the (2) ureters, into the bladder,
which acts as a holding tank. Once the fluid reaches a
certain level, the bladder sends the fluid to the
outside via the urethra. The bladder looks much like a
funnel and the urethra is like a hose, connected to the
base of this funnel. The prostate is a "doughnut shaped
mass of tissue that surrounds the urethra at the base of
the bladder (funnel). (It stores a fluid to liquefy the
semen.) You can imagine what can happen when this mass
of tissue starts to grow in size. It will grow inward
and outward, putting pressure on all these organs,
causing backpressure and pain.
Problems with the prostate gland are generally related
to Benign BPH, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.
Research is being focused on three possible areas:
hormonal changes for BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy),
Bacterial (E. Coli) infections for prostatitis, and
saturated fats for cancer.
This was a basic answer to Sam's
letter, now I will break down Sam's letter into sections
and answer each section in greater detail below.
"Hi Karin,
My name is Sam and last October I
was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.
After learning that 4 out of 7 biopsies were in the 4-5
range,"
**** In order to determine a
correct diagnosis and to make a helpful decision,
several tests must be performed. These are usually done
in a specialist's office, (depending on the their
preference and available equipment).
- Digital Rectal
Exam DRE: feeling the size and prostate gland via the
rectum.
- Prostrate
Specific Antigen PSA: a blood test that determines the
level of risk for cancer.
- Needle Biopsy
or ultrasound biopsy. Cancer tissue has a different
density than normal prostate tissue. Ultrasound and
lab testing will be able to distinguish the
difference.
For an excellent description of
the values visit
http://www.rcog.net/index.html
Sam's choices were:
- Watch and wait
to check the progress of the growth. This would depend
on several factors, including age, health, and other
issues.
- External Beam
Radiation (EBRT)
- Internal
Radiation
- Combination of
several modalities
"I opted for surgery "
***** The word "resection" means
to cut out. The prostate gland may be cut out or
"shelled out", (the operative term ) in several ways.
One way is by a Trans Urethral Prostate Resection TUPR.
The prostate tissue which is blocking the urethra (base
of funnel) is "shelled out"/ cut out. This is a surgical
procedure performed in the operating room under aseptic
conditions, while you are either under the influence of
a general or a spinal (epidural) anesthetic. Anesthetic
means to experience no feeling during the procedure.
Most surgeons prefer the
Retropubic to the Suprapubic approach for the TUPR due
to the greater amount of muscle tissue involved with the
Suprapubic and the extended recuperation time. You will
be watched closely for any postoperative bleeding.
And hospital procedures
- You will be
asked to sign a "consent form". This is a legal
document, which allows the medical team to do whatever
is on the form, using their expertise, equipment, and
supplies. Please read this form very carefully. Please
UNDERSTAND this information AND the procedure to be
"performed". If you don't understand the words, it is
YOUR responsibility to ask. No one will offer any
explanations.
- You will be
told not to have anything to eat or drink at least 6
to 8 hours before surgery time. It is VITALLY
important that you have an empty stomach as you go
into the OR (Operating Room). You might think you are
having a form of spinal anesthetic or have toe surgery
and that this is not important. It was a matter of
life and death to those people who had a drink of
coffee while waiting and then choked during the
procedure...harsh words, but please heed them. It is
my gift to your successful surgical outcome.
"and it was successfully performed
2 weeks later. I have had several post-op blood tests
and the PSA levels are as near zero as possible."
**** As soon as the offending
antigens are gone, the natural defense mechanism of the
body returns its values to normal. This shows up on
blood tests and also reflects the degree of tissue
removal. (Antigens are foreign or disease-causing
substances that stimulate the formation of antibodies:
more free radicals for your body to override or
neutralize.)
"So hopefully I'm over this
episode. Why I'm writing you is the fact that I had no
prior symptoms with this and if I hadn't gone in for my
yearly physical I probably wouldn't have been here much
longer."
***** Let me explain three major
conditions men face, but they often don't seek help,
Prostatitis, cancer, and BPH.
Prostatitis (prostate infection)
is a very common but poorly acknowledged or recognized
condition, which is caused by some sort of infection or
inflammation, usually bacterial. The signs and symptoms
are all the signs of the inflammatory process: pain,
swelling, etc. The problem can be felt and seen on
examination…if medical attention is sought.
Part 7
Normally cells work in unison to create tissues, organs,
and then systems, and everything is organized and
orderly. In cancer, there is no order and no systematic
growth. The healthy cells are simply taken over by the
cancerous ones. One of the ways to diagnose the cause of
the prostate problem is by the very nature if the
growth. In cancerous cells, the damage is often
unnoticed. Whereas prostatitis has visible signs and
painful symptoms, cancer growth is "silent": without
noticeable pain or warning until it's almost too late.
Benign Prostate Hypertrophy is the non-cancerous/
non-malignant growth. The discomfort is caused by
pressure on the certain areas. The growth is usually
progressive and can also cause obstruction/blockage,
causing urinary tract infections.
"When they finally excised the
tumor, they found that it was close to becoming
unencapsulated"
*****The cancerous growth expands
in a very unorganized manner. It takes over cells and
invades other structures. It crosses barriers and it
doesn't stop at anything. The prostate gland has a
covering "capsule" which contains the contents. When the
cancer reaches a certain stage, it breaks the capsule
and is now invades other body organs. This is called
"metastases". If you have come across the phrase
"primary and secondary sites" it simply means the cancer
spread from one "primary" area...prostate, to the
secondary site, often the bones, and subsequently to
other areas. So for Sam, the good news was that the
cancer was contained in the capsule.
"and we both know, at that point
there isn't much they can do but radiation, hope and a
lot of prayers."
**** Other choices are already
listed above. It is very important that these choices be
made with the support of partners. Not only will your
life and health be involved, but so will theirs. It may
not be the most enthusiastic conversation, but many
wives are very understanding. And you must realize that
any conversation with any member of the medical
community will be done in confidence.
"Since you write medical articles
for The Pebble and they have such a large readership,
could you explain that all men over the age of 45 should
be checked for this?"
****For a short while a home test
kit for PSA levels (taking a finger-prick blood sample)
was available, but I don't believe it is any longer.
(Maybe an increased demand will bring it back.) Then the
next best thing, if you are over 45 for other men (40
for African American men) is to visit your family doctor
regularly for the Digital Rectal Examination DRE. This
is quick, and, yes, a little undignified, but effective.
I know it's not pleasant, but it
beats the alternative. I also realize that most men
experience some pain or discomfort when this is present
but if I was totally unaware so are a lot of other men.
I've talked to several friends but most look at me like
I'm crazy when I make the suggestion. You know, it's a
man thing. "No one is putting their finger up my rectum.
That's disgusting".
****No one enjoys being in an
undignified position, but it is so much better to find
these problems early on. Research continues to prove
that early intervention saves MANY lives.
****
A Few Other Points:
Personality Changes With Toxic Problems
The excretion of body waste products is a normal and
necessary function. Waste products, liquid or solid,
have to come out of the body and it's done through an
automatic process. So if anything in its path is not
functioning properly, unusual things occur. These may
take to form of toxins and they may have a peculiar
effect on the person. I recall visiting an elderly
gentleman who I thought was rather crotchety and
unpleasant especially to his wife. I went back several
days later to do a post op visit and teaching, and found
a totally different human being in the same bed. He was
a new man! The toxins were removed from his body and he
was back to the loving person his wife assured me he
was!
Preventative and management
measures:
Get into the habit of eating high fiber foods (to pull
through all the toxins), and drinking large amounts of
fluids (especially water). Also seriously consider
taking supplements that offer optimum nutrition. Our
foods do not have a lot of nutrient values any longer
and we also are exposed to many environmental toxins
(free radicals). Do discuss the use of Saw Palmetto with
your health care provider. Saw Palmetto acts on the
prostate to reduce the inflammation/swelling pain and
throbbing. It also increases the bladder's ability to
contact and eliminate the contents into the urethra.
Stress is one of the most
aggravating factors and we are only now beginning to see
the effects of it on many health conditions. The
physiological results of it are harmful over a long
period of time. You should make a CONSCIOUS effort to
find and use stress-reducing techniques. Stress, in many
forms, surrounds each of us every day. It requires a
decision as to how we will ALLOW it to rule our lives.
Additional Preventive Measures For
Prostatitis
- If you have
prostatitis, make sure you complete each cycle of
antibiotics. They could well prevent the next
infection from getting a foothold.
- Avoid spicy,
foods, alcohol, caffeine: watch what they do to your
digestive system.
- Foods with
cooked tomatoes and soybean products may also be
helpful.
- Warm baths may
alleviate stress and help soothe the discomfort.
- Eat lots of
high fibre foods and drink lots of water. Both will
prevent constipation. This can be very painful with a
tender or inflamed prostate gland.
- Discuss pain
medication with your doctor.
- Check out any
medicines in case they add to the problem.
Antihistamines may worsen the effects.
- Cut down on
beverages just before going to bed.
- When you have
the urge to pass your water, do so. Waiting for the
convenient time will may only cause more back-pressure
problems.
- You may find
sitting down is much more relaxing than standing up:
therefore less painful.
- Please practice
good personal hygiene, such as washing your penis
frequently to prevent salt build up from the urine,
and hand washing for general hygiene is absolutely
necessary.
Excellent Reference sites:
May 28 / 02
Karin.
_____________________________________________________
Karin Henderson British
Columbia, Canada (604) 463 8666
http://www.prescotts-inc.com
_____________________________________________________
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some relief, please
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