Prostate Cancer: A Nurse’s Guide to Conventional and Natural Treatment Options

Cancer that grows in the prostate is called prostate cancer. In most men, this is a slow process; most men will never know they have the condition. Detected in its earliest stages, prostate cancer can be effectively treated and cured.

Many men, especially those later in life, have made the decision with their doctors to just watch and wait to see what, if anything, happens. Later in life, the risks of prostate cancer surgery or other more radical treatments may be worse than the disease. Prostate cancer is deadly, but because it grows slowly, it can be cured if caught early.

Some men will experience symptoms that could indicate the presence of prostate cancer. Other symptoms may include unintentional weight loss and lethargy. Because the symptoms of prostate cancer can mimic those of other diseases or disorders, men experiencing any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause of their symptoms.

If the cancer is caught in its early stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night, is another common symptom. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs can also be signs of cancer.

A biopsy of the glans prostate usually confirms a diagnosis. The decision to have a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. They are not considered reliable. A bone scan can tell whether or not the cancer has metastasized, but you are exposed to radiation when it does.

A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer. When the doctor performs a digital rectal exam, it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. A chest x-ray may be done to see if the cancer has spread.

Conventional treatment is based on radiation therapy, which is used primarily to treat stage A, B, or C prostate cancers. Impotence is a potential complication after prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Medications may be used to adjust testosterone levels, this is called hormonal manipulation.

Conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often highly controversial. Treatment options may vary depending on the stage of the existing tumor. Medications can have many serious side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire.

The side effects of the different chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you are taking and how often and how long they last. Keep in mind that many men choose natural treatment options and forego surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Whether radiation is as good as removal of the prostate gland is still debatable, and the decision about which, if any, to choose can be difficult.

Prostate cancer that has metastasized can be treated conventionally with drugs to lower testosterone levels, surgery to remove the evidence, chemotherapy, or nothing at all. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy can temporarily or permanently interfere with libido. An oncologist, who is a cancer specialist, will usually recommend treatment with a single drug or a combination of drugs.

Focusing on a diet of predominantly live, uncooked fruits and vegetables, and no junk food, should give you a noticeable improvement in your health within 30 days. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day, not just a symbolic banana or apple. A good dietary and natural treatment approach is to avoid all inflammatory acidic foods; those are foods that are dead from processing, cooking, etc.

Many men have lowered their PSA levels by following a diet of alkaline live foods. If possible, try to eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet. Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meats, dairy, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, and all refined, packaged, and processed foods. food.

Making a ginger tea by adding one or two thin slices of fresh ginger root to hot water is helpful to many people I know. Make fruit-only smoothies, using a base of two bananas, add a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost with two tablespoons of coconut oil; add a leaf or two of kale or a handful or two of spinach leaves for another highly nutritional boost. Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 2-3 pesticide-free cored apples, skin on, and process for a minute or so; much better for you than highly processed canned applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost if desired.

While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains very high, survival rates are also improving dramatically; perhaps due to improved diets. In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can determine the best treatment program for you. It is important to be as informed as possible and to read all of the latest books, e-books, and research available for all treatment options.