Prostate cancer :

Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Generally, the tumor usually grows slowly and remains confined to the gland for many years. During this time, the tumor produces little or no symptoms or outward signs (abnormalities on physical examination). However, all prostate cancers do not behave similarly. Some aggressive types of prostate cancer grow and spread more rapidly than others and can cause a significant shortening of life expectancy in men affected by them.  The cancer cells may metastasize (spread) from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.Rates of detection of prostate cancers vary widely across the world, with South and East Asia detecting less frequently than in Europe, and especially the United States. The estimated lifetime risk of being diagnosed with the disease is 17.6% for Caucasians and 20.6% for African Americans. The lifetime risk of death from prostate cancer similarly is 2.8% and 4.7% respectively. As reflected in these numbers, prostate cancer is likely to impact the lives of a significant proportion of men that are alive today. The risk (predisposing) factors for prostate cancer include advancing age, genetics (heredity), hormonal influences, and such environmental factors as toxins, chemicals, and industrial products. Prostate cancer is more common among family members of individuals with prostate cancer. This risk may be two to three times greater than the risk for men without a family history of the disease.

People who are at higher risk include:

·           African-American men, who are also likely to develop cancer at every age

·           Men who are older than 60

·           Men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer

Other people at risk include:

·           Men who have been around agent orange

·           Men who use too much alcohol

·           Farmers

·           Men who eat a diet high in fat, especially animal fat

·           Tire plant workers  

·           Men who have been around cadmium

·           There is also a suggestion that obesity leads to an increased risk of having more aggressive, larger prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is less common in people who do not eat meat (vegetarians).

A common problem in almost all men as they grow older is an enlarged prostate. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. It does not raise your risk of prostate cancer. However, it can increase your PSA blood test results.

Symptoms

The PSA blood test is often done to screen men for prostate cancer. Because of PSA testing, most prostate cancers are now found before they cause any symptoms.

The symptoms listed below can occur with prostate cancer, usually at a late stage. These symptoms can also be caused by other prostate problems:

·           Delayed or slowed start of urinary stream

·            flow of urine diminishes and urination becomes more difficult

·           Dribbling or leakage of urine, most often after urinating

·           Slow urinary stream

·           Straining when urinating, or not being able to empty out all of the urine

·           Blood in the urine or  burning with urination

·           Bone pain or tenderness, most often in the lower back and pelvic bones (only when the cancer has spread)

·           As the tumor continues to grow, it can completely block the flow of urine, resulting in a painfully obstructed and enlarged urinary bladder

 Most of these symptoms can occur in men with non-cancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate (the most common form of prostate enlargement). However, the occurrence of these symptoms should prompt an evaluation by the doctor to rule out cancer and provide appropriate treatment.

Metastasized Cancer

Furthermore, in the later stages, prostate cancer can spread locally into the surrounding tissue or the nearby lymph nodes, called the pelvic nodes. The cancer then can spread even farther (metastasize) to other areas of the body.

Symptoms:

·        fatigue

·         malaise

·         weight loss.

           ·         back or pelvic pain

Signs and tests

Screening tests

 If a screening test is abnormal, the disease is then suspected to be present, and further tests usually are needed to confirm the suspicion (that is, to make the diagnosis definitively). Prostate cancer usually is suspected initially because of an abnormality of one or both of the two screening tests that are used to detect prostate cancer.

These screening tests are 

Digital Rectal Exam

·        digital rectal examination 

·        blood test called the prostate specific antigen (PSA).

A biopsy is needed to tell if you have prostate cancer. A sample of tissue is removed from the prostate and sent to a lab.

Your doctor may recommend a prostate biopsy if:

·           You have high PSA level

·           A rectal exam shows a large prostate or a hard, uneven surface

The results are reported using what is called a Gleason grade and a Gleason score.

The Gleason grade tells you how fast the cancer might spread. It grades tumors on a scale of 1 - 5. You may have different grades of cancer in one biopsy sample. The two main grades are added together. This gives you the Gleason score. The higher your Gleason score, the more likely the cancer is to have spread past the prostate:

·           Scores 2 - 5: Low-grade prostate cancer

·           Scores 6 - 7: Intermediate- (or in the middle-) grade cancer. Most prostate cancers fall into this group.

·           Scores 8 - 10: High-grade cancer

The following tests may be done to determine whether the cancer has spread:

·           CT scan

·           Bone scan

The PSA blood test will also be used to monitor your cancer after treatment. Often, PSA levels will begin to rise before there are any symptoms. An abnormal digital rectal exam may be the only sign of prostate cancer (even if the PSA is normal).

Treatment

Treatment depends on many things, including your Gleason score and your overall health. Your doctor will discuss your treatment options.

For early-stage prostate cancer, this may include:

·           Surgery (radical prostatectomy)

·           Radiation therapy, including brachytherapy and proton therapy

If you are older, your doctor may recommend simply monitoring the cancer with PSA tests and biopsies.

If the prostate cancer has spread, treatment may include:

·           Hormone therapy (medicines to reduce testosterone levels)

·           Surgery

·           Chemotherapy

Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy can affect your sexual desire or performance. Problems with urine control are common after surgery and radiation therapy. Discuss your concerns with your health care provider.

After treatment for prostate cancer, you will be closely watched to make sure the cancer does not spread. This involves routine doctor check-ups, including PSA blood tests (usually every 3 months to 1 year).

Quick Weight loss

Tips for Losing Weight Quickly:

Losing weight is a dire need

for many people in current inefficient  life styles.With the technological advancements healthy life styles has been converted into unhealthy lifestyles.In present era we are more dependent on machines for performing our routine tasks.Therefore, in current situation the severe problem of

obesity could be controlled by changing life styles

rather than changing eating habits.Because for dieting we exclude many things from our  diet that are necessary for our good health. Therefore, it is better to follow a low calories but healthy diet  plan along with regular exercise.

Best Exercises For losing Weight

:

Its not about eliminating healthy diet rather its about changing life styles.

Top 7 exercises for losing weight

1.     Aerobics: Burn 800 cal/hr. This mainly targets your legs, hips and bum, which are often the areas that women most want to tone. Doing an hour a day, split into two half an hour sessions, will ensure that you see results within 2 weeks.

2.     Bicycling:Burn  500 – 1000 cal/hr depending how fast you go.Its a very good calories burner.

3.     Swimming :Burn  800 cals/hr.Is definitely a top and pleasant exercise to lose weight, especially in the summer. Doing lengths up and down the pool for an hour will burn off 800 calories, and also tone almost all of your body.

4.     Racquetball: Burn  800 cals/hr. The side to side running involved in this is a great cardio workout, and will also help to tone your thighs and legs.

5.     Elliptical Burner: Burn  600 cals/hr.  This is brilliant cardio, and also helps to build strong muscles, as well as toning the stomach

6.     Rowing:Burn  500 – 600 cals/hr. Rowing is a brilliant way to tone your arms.  As well as building arm muscle, you’ll also burn calories and get an incredible workout.

7.     Walking:Burn  360 cals/hr. The easiest exercise, brisk walking is a great cardio workout and will also help to tone legs, stomach and hips. Sprinting, walking across hills or

walking uphill will add to the amount of calories burnt

, and walking tends to be very easy to fit into daily life.

Strategies to Help Lose Weight Dieting:

1.     Eat Breakfast Every Day:   "Many people think skipping breakfast is a great way to cut calories.However,  "Studies show people who eat breakfast have lower BMIs than breakfast-skippers and perform better. Try a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and low-fat dairy for a quick and nutritious start to your day.

2.     Close the Kitchen at Night:   Establish a time when you will stop eating .Avoid  late-night munchies or mindless snacking while watching television Have a cup of tea, suck on a piece of hard candy or enjoy a small bowl of light ice cream or frozen yogurt if you want something sweet after dinner.

3.     Eat More Produce:  Eating lots of low-calorie, high-volume fruits and vegetables crowds out other foods that are higher in fat and calories. Try starting lunch or dinner with a vegetable salad or bowl of broth-based soup. Stock your kitchen with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Your diet will be enriched with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fiber, and if you fill up on super-nutritious produce, you won't be reaching for the cookie jar.

4.     Choose Liquid Calories Wisely:  Sweetened drinks pile on the calories, but don't reduce hunger like solid foods do. Satisfy your thirst with water, sparkling water with citrus, skim or low-fat milk. Try a glass of nutritious and low-calorie vegetable juice to hold you over if you get hungry between meals. Limiting alcohol to the weekends can be a huge calorie saver.

5.     Go for the Grain: By substituting whole grains for refined grains like white bread, cakes, cookies, and pretzels, you add much-needed fiber and will fill up faster so you're more likely to eat a reasonable portion. Choose whole-wheat breads and pastas, brown rice, bran flakes, popcorn, and whole-rye crackers. 

6.     Have Protein at Every Meal and Snack.  Adding a source of lean or low-fat protein to each meal and snack will help keep you feeling full longer so you're less likely to overeat. Experts also recommend eating small, frequent meals and snacks (every 3-4 hours), to keep your blood sugar levels steady and to avoid overindulging.

7.     Switch to Lighter Alternatives:  Whenever you can, use the low-fat versions of salad dressings, mayonnaise, dairy products, and other products. Use salsa or hummus as a dip; spread sandwiches with mustard instead of mayo; eat plain roasted sweet potatoes instead of loaded white potatoes; use skim milk instead of cream in your coffee; hold the cheese on sandwiches.