How Your Weight Affects Your Prostate Cancer Treatment

Every case of prostate cancer is different; hence each one has to be evaluated on its individual merits. Your general health, weight, age and motivation all need to be taken into account when choosing a form of prostate cancer treatment. If you are overweight, know that this factor alone can affect how your prostate cancer treatment is going to be like. Occasionally prostate cancer treatments will not have a big enough effect on some men, especially obese men. External radiation therapy uses a beam of subatomic particles to kill the cancerous cells in the prostate gland . However, if you are overweight, the beam is unable to penetrate through the extra layers of fat. This renders the prostate cancer treatment ineffective. In cases such as this, a more radical form of treatment is usually recommended. Being obese may initially help to cause prostate cancer and then it may help the cancer to spread more rapidly and more aggressively as well. Fatty diets that contain high levels of saturated fats and dairy products are thought to contribute to the probability of developing prostate cancer in the first place and remaining overweight may enhance the spread of the disease. Thus, even if the prostate gland is removed as part of your prostate cancer treatment the cancer might have already spread making it harder to control and totally rid from the body. In fact, men who are obese are 70% more likely to develop metastases i.e. secondary tumours at other sites around the body, than men who are fit and a healthy weight. This would suggest that the incidence of prostate cancer is somewhat linked to diet and that being obese may mean you require surgery as a form of prostate cancer treatment. For this reason every man over the age of 25 should make an effort to maintain a healthy weight and eat foods that are low in saturated fats and dairy products, even if it is just as a precaution against the possibility of surgery as a future prostate cancer treatment! A balanced diet with plenty of antioxidants such as lycopenes, which are found in tomatoes, watermelon and other types of fruit could seriously help to combat the first signs of prostate cancer meaning that any cancerous cells are killed before they have chance to divide and grow. Fibre is also a requirement of a healthy diet and as it helps to encourage frequent bowel movements it also rids the body of potentially harmful toxins and bacteria. If you are of a healthy weight, it is possible that you will be taking a course of radiation as a prostate cancer treatment rather than invasive surgery followed by a course of radiation. Do your sums and you will realise that being of a healthy weight has a far more advantages.

About Author: Your prostate health is important for cancer prevention. For more information, resources and support, please click http://www.prostate-cancer-treatment-hub.com.

Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com

Prostate Cancer Radiation Treatment for Better Removal of Cancer Cells

Each year, millions of men are affected by prostate cancer and it is a common condition that affects men who are between the ages of 40 and 80; it can be present in younger men, but it is very uncommon.

This cancer is the leading cause of death for men who are 75 years and up, and people who have greater risk of developing this disease include older men, African American men, men who consume high quantities of alcohol, men who eat high-fat diets and men who are exposed to certain chemicals.

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in a man's prostate, which is a small gland that is located in a man's reproductive organs. There are many symptoms of this cancer such as slow urination, blood in the urine, pain while urinating, stinging while urinating, bone pain, tenderness and urine leakage.

There are several treatments for this cancer, but the most common treatments are prostate cancer radiation and chemotherapy. Prostate cancer radiation treatment is commonly referred to as the X-ray therapy. What this treatment does is it uses radiation to help kill off the cancer cells in the body. This treatment is supposed to stunt the bad cell's growth and help keep the healthy cells functioning.

The very prostate cancer radiation works is that a large machine in the radiation room produces the radiation. This machine then directs the radiation towards the body, and then, the radiation is directed toward the prostate through minuscule tubes that are placed in the cancer-affected areas; this is known as external radiation. Internal radiation therapy for this cancer includes placing a device in the actual tumor. Both internal and external radiation therapy can be either permanent or temporary; it is up to the doctor to decide.

When receiving this cancer radiation, it is important to consume a balanced diet. A good diet will allow the patient to recover from the side effects of radiation, which include changes in skin, hair loss, sun sensitivity, enlarged pores, fatigue, vomiting, dizziness, skin darkening, thicker skin tissue, erectile dysfunction and pain while urinating. Consuming foods rich in nutrients will allow your body to recover from all the stress it is being put under while receiving prostate cancer radiation treatment.

Prostate cancer radiation is a highly effective treatment that can help prolong your life. This treatment may cause some changes in your lifestyle, but as long as you eat a healthy diet, exercise mildly and keep your spirit up, you will get through the radiation therapy for this cancer.

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute is a charitable institution that is intended to improve the quality of men's lives by supporting the research and disseminating information symptom of prostate cancer. It also helps to create awareness and empowers patients, families and the medical community.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harry_Kwon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Prostate-Cancer-Radiation-Treatment-for-Better-Removal-of-Cancer-Cells&id=7525007

Prostate Cancer Radiation

Radiation is one of the methods that is used to treat prostate cancer. It is also referred to as X-ray therapy and involves using high radiation levels to destroy the cancer cells in the prostate or prevent them from dividing or growing farther. Prostate cancer radiation also aims at reducing any damage to the healthy cells in the prostate. This radiation is carried out in several ways. External radiation is done by directing radiation emitted from a machine on the prostrate. Internal radiation is done by inserting radiation producing materials using thin plastic tubes into the cancerous tumor in the prostate. The materials are temporarily removed from the tumor after reaching the right dose and put back during the next round of treatment.

External prostate cancer radiation treatment is one of the most used methods to treat prostate cancer at the early stages. It is also used in relieving bone pain, which results from the cancer spreading to the bone.

External radiation therapy usually takes place at regular sessions, usually five days in a week for a span of eight to nine weeks. During the external prostate cancer radiation, the patient is placed on the table at the right position by the therapist. The therapist only starts the treatment after ensuring the patient is comfortable and relaxed. The patient is closely observed during the treatment session and the room is equipped with an intercom and camera for easier communication. The patient is expected to remain still and inform the therapist of any discomfort during treatment. The therapist will reposition the machine frequently and also help the patient in changing their position. There is no pain experienced during this process as the machine does not touch the patient. A port film is taken during the start of the treatment and every week thereafter to ensure that the treatment is being directed on the right place.

Before starting the radiation therapy, the therapist will make small marks on the patient's skin to demarcate the treatment area. These marks resemble freckles and are semi-permanent. Patients are advised not to wash off these marks or redraw them if they fade. These marks help in outlining the precise treatment area so that radiation is directed there.

Prostate cancer radiation treatment is associated with various side effects, such as sore skin around the genital region, diarrhea, bladder inflammation and loss of pubic hair. Patients are advised to work with a dietician, who will recommend a good diet that helps in recovering from the mentioned side effects.

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute is a charitable institution that is intended to improve the quality of men's lives by supporting the research and disseminating information about what causes prostate cancer. It also helps to create awareness and empowers patients, families and the medical community.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harry_Kwon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Prostate-Cancer-Radiation&id=7457817