Tuesday, March 17, 2009
By Robert Griggs
What It Is
Prostate cancer is when cancerous cells form in the prostate causing a tumour. Once the cancerous cells have formed, it is then possible for them to travel away from the prostate to affect other parts of the body. The prostate is a gland that forms part of the male reproductive system and is located below the bladder. For this reason, prostate cancer only affects men.
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Although the exact causes of prostate cancer are not fully understood, there are a number of factors that increase the likelihood of a man developing the cancer.
The most common factor is age. Although younger men can be affected, the disease is far more common in those aged over 45 or 50. Besides age, the chances of getting prostate cancer increase if you have any female relatives that have had breast cancer, any male relatives that have had prostate cancer or if you are from a particular ethnic group, such as African or Caribbean.
However, lifestyle also has an influence, and for those who are overweight or have a diet which is high in fat, the chances of developing the cancer are increased.
Symptoms
There are numerous symptoms for men suffering from prostate cancer that we are aware of, although all of them can also be symptoms of less serious conditions. However, if you suffer from any of these then we would highly recommend a trip to the doctor.
One of the most common symptoms that we know of is a frequent need to urinate, especially if this occurs at night. If the flow of urine becomes interrupted, if there is any burning sensation or you find it difficult to start urinating, these could also represent possible symptoms.
Other symptoms include erectile dysfunction, experiencing a painful ejaculation or finding blood in the semen or urine, although this is quite rare. Pain in the lower back can also be a sign of the condition, as well as pain in the hips or the upper thighs.
Conventional Treatments
Conventional treatments for prostate cancer can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, but these all depend upon the health and age of the patient and the progression of the disease.
A radical prostatectomy is the most common form of surgery, and involves removing the prostate and the surrounding tissue. This is usually the best cause of action for patients where the cancer has not spread.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can both have unpleasant side effects, and hormone therapy works by blocking the role of testosterone which helps the cancer to grow, which can only work to slow the spread of the disease rather than offering a cure.
Cryotherapy and ultrasound are also possibilities, as is a more extreme form of surgery known as an orchidectompy, which involves the removal of the testicles to prevent the formation of testosterone.
Alternative Treatments
The conventional treatments for prostate cancer can produce very unpleasant side effects, and so many people opt for alternative treatments instead.
One of the most successful types of alternative treatment is known as Bio-Photonic Light Treatment. This is a completely natural treatment, and aims to restore the energy that has been lost in each of the cells affected by the cancer. It works through directing UV rays right at the cells, restoring the patient's natural energy levels to increase the chances of recovery.
Another successful alternative treatment is a special formula known as Formula MVA. The immune system is often badly affected by the spread of the cancerous cells, and this formula aims to boost the immune system using a combination of powerful natural substances. Containing Palladium, Acetyl Cystiene and Vitamins B1, B2 and B12 amongst others, the formula gives the body a huge boost, further enhancing the possibility of fighting the disease.
High Body-Temperature Therapy is another successful technique that aims to mimic the conditions of a fever in the body in order to destroy the harmful cells. This natural process works by using a specially-designed infrared sauna, which produces a type of sweat from the body which is packed full of toxins, far more than occur in normal sweat. This literally works by flushing the toxins out of the body, leading to a much greater chance of recovery.
All of these treatments can be undertaken alone or in combination, but one that is often used alongside other treatments is EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques. Cancer is often a result of a traumatic or stressful event in a person's past, and EFT aims to balance the meridian through completely non-invasive treatment. It aims to restore balance to the body and reverse the process that has led to the formation of the cancer, thereby increasing the chances of a recovery.
Robert writes for the Mariposas Clinic Spain which is a wellness center on the Costa del Sol Spain. The Mariposas Clinic specialise in holistic and natural treatments for prostate cancer and other forms of cancer. Please visit their site for further information on prostate cancer and its alternative treatments
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