Archive for the ‘Prostate Cancer News’ Category

False positives on thousands of prostate cancer tests

Monday, August 26th, 2013

prostate cancer news

ABC News  is reporting that thousands of men in Pennsylvania, and possibly the world over,  may have received erroneous PSA test results showing higher than actual levels–and possibly leading to unnecessary biopsies.  PSA, or prostate specific antigen levels, are a benchmark physicians use to gauge the likelihood of prostate cancer in their patients.  According to the report,  the makers of the test issued a global recall in June, citing a 20-23% “positive bias”.  The specific product recalled is the Immulite PSA test.

Read more posts on prostate cancer news:

Sex After Radical Prostatectomy

Preventing Climacturia (Urine leakage during sex)

Exosomes and Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

 

 

 

 

Male pattern baldness drug finasteride for prevention of prostate cancer?

Monday, August 26th, 2013

prostatecancerdrugs

In what looks to be an unlikely headline, some experts may be ready to endorse finasteride treatment as a preferred choice in the prevention of prostate cancer.  The drug, used to treat male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate, was black boxed by the FDA about ten years ago for use as a prostate cancer preventative, due to study results that showed a possible increase in more aggressive prostate tumors.

But, a new study indicates that among men aged 62, who received finasteride for a period of seven years, were 30% less likely to develop prostate cancer.  And, the risk of less aggressive prostate tumors was reduced by more than 40%.  Based on these results, it can be estimated that finasteride could prevent more than 70,000 cases of prostate cancer every year.  While the study also showed a 3% increased likelihood of more aggressive tumors, it is thought that this could be the result of finasteride reducing the size of the prostate, and thereby making the tumors easier for physicians to find.

Are you or a loved one recovering from prostate cancer or radical prostatectomy?  Read more about the UroStop device for preventing urine leakage during sex, or climacturia, after prostate surgery–developed by UroSciences.

The UroStop variable tension penile loop for sexual incontinence.

The UroStop variable tension penile loop for sexual incontinence.

 

 

CyberKnife Robotic Radio Surgery System and prostate cancer treatment

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

prostate cancer cyberknife

Today we’ve gathered information from around the Web on CyberKnife treatments for prostate cancer.   If you aren’t familiar with CyberKnife, here is some general information:

CyberKnife is used for the highly-targeted delivery of radiation impulses directly to the site of tumors within the body.  The pulses, as many as 200 per treatment, are delivered from many angles through the use of a robotic arm similar to those associated with assembly lines in the automotive industry.  The treatments last for 1-2 hours per day for approximately five days.

In comparison to traditional radiation therapy for prostate cancer, or other cancers, which lasts approximately eight weeks,  CyberKnife treatment offers a much more convenient option, and reduces lodging costs for those who must travel long distances to obtain the therapy.  The side effects of CyberKnife therapy are reported by some to be much milder than traditional radiation treatments.  Some patients report fatigue, urgency in urination, and irritation of the urethra after CyberKnife treatments.

Check with your insurance company if you are considering CyberKnife treatments to assure coverage.  In addition, Medicare patients should inquire about coverage, as CyberKnife therapy is not covered in some regions–and restrictions may apply even in regions where it is covered.

If you or a loved one is battling prostate cancer, be sure to check out our other Urosciences posts on sex after radical prostatectomy and urine leakage during sex, also known as climacturia.

 

 

Prostate Cancer News: Are exosomes the future of prostate cancer diagnosis?

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

prostate cancer test

A new in vitro diagnostic test for prostate cancer may be on the way to replacing the traditional PSA test and perhaps some biopsy procedures.  The test is known as EXO106, which focuses on identifying the novel 4 gene prostate cancer signature.  Exosomes are substances within human cells carrying nucleic acids which are unique to specific diseases. By testing blood or urine,  it can be determined if an exosome related to a specific disease is present.  In addition, EXO106 may also be able to predict the severity of prostate cancer and how well the prostate cancer is responding to treatment.

Thank you for visiting UroSciences, makers of the UroStop device for preventing climacturia or urine leakage during sex after  radical prostatectomy (prostate surgery).

Article source: http://medcitynews.com/2013/08/new-non-invasive-test-for-prostrate-cancer-may-identify-severity-of-tumor-also/

Xofigo prostate cancer drug reported to reduce pain

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

prostatecancerdrugs

Xofigo, a newly approved treatment for advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones, is said to reduce patient pain levels.  The drug, which mimics calcium by binding to bone tissue at tumor sites, has been shown to extend patient survival rates by three months. The binding action of  Xofigo allows physicians to target the precise location of bone tumors caused by prostate cancer, and minimizes bone damage caused by tumors.  It is reported that Xofigo may allow patients to delay chemotherapy and the use of morphine for pain management.  A Xofigo treatment can be administered in a few as 15 minutes.

This prostate cancer news is brought to you by UroSciences– makers of the UroStop variable tension penile loop for sexual incontinence and the PDAD Peyronie’s disease assessment device.

 

 

New Mexico Cancer Center offering Xofigo for prostate cancer

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

xofigo

The New Mexico Cancer Center has begun offering Xofigo to its prostate cancer patients.   Made by Bayer Healthcare, Xofigo, radium -223, has shown promise in recent studies for extending the survival rates of patients with advanced prostate cancer.  Xofigo works by mimicking calcium within the body and binding to areas of rapid bone growth caused by bone tumors, thus limiting the damage caused by the tumors.  Xofigo, once known as Alpharadin, received marketing approval from the FDA on May 15, 2013.

 

Check in with our UroSciences blog for the very latest news on prostate cancer, Peyronie’s disease, climacturia, and other urology topics.  Learn more about our PDAD device for assessing Peyronie’s disease, and the UroStop for preventing urine leakage during sex.

The UroStop variable tension penile loop for sexual incontinence.

The UroStop variable tension penile loop for sexual incontinence.

 

Experts continue to weigh in on prostate cancer and fish oil study

Friday, July 19th, 2013

prostatecancerfishoilcapsules

For more than a week, we’ve been watching the fallout from the study that supposedly linked fish oil to prostate cancer, which took the media and the medical community by storm.  Over the last several days, experts have been weighing in on this controversial topic. It turns out that, while the this single study may have shown higher Omega-3 levels among those with prostate tumors, there’s no evidence to suggest that the fish oil actually caused the prostate tumors.  Here’s a great article we found that provides a very clear explanation of the fish oil prostate cancer study, and why you probably shouldn’t change your supplement regimen based on its results.

For radical prostatectomy physicians and patients, we’d like you to view our UroStop™ variable tension penile loop for preventing climacturia, or urine leaking during sex.

Study suggests caution for androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

kidneys

A new study may prompt doctors to be more cautious about prescribing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, or at least prostate cancer that doesn’t warrant aggressive treatment.  The study, performed by researchers at McGill University in Montreal, suggests that the hormone therapy for prostate cancer may be linked to kidney problems.  While androgen deprivation was once used only for life threatening prostate cancer, it is increasingly being used to treat non-advanced prostate cancer, with experts warning to assure that the benefits of androgen deprivation therapy outweigh the risks.

For radical prostatectomy patients and physicians, please view the UroStop™ device for preventing climacturia, or urine leakage during sex.

Prostate cancer and fish oil study under fire

Tuesday, July 16th, 2013

It’s likely that you saw last week’s news headlines about a recent study finding that fish oil, specifically Omega-3 fatty acids naturally found in salmon, flaxseed and other foods, is linked to a increase in prostate cancer.  As you might imagine, the headlines drew national, even global, media attention, leaving the medical community in a bit of a spin.

This week, the study that made news headlines last week is facing real scrutiny, as its findings go against everything previously known to be true about fish oil actually reducing the likelihood of many cancers.  Multiple studies have found fish oil to be beneficial in preventing cancer, including those performed by the University of California San Francisco, and the Harvard School of Public Health.

As with other studies that have raised eyebrows, experts recommend consulting multiple reputable sources for online medical information, rather than making personal health decisions based on a single article or study. Perhaps this is a great example of both the benefits and drawbacks of having millions of pages of online health information at our fingertips.  While we have access to on demand health information, we also must be informed consumers of that information.

This post was brought to you via UroSciences, makers of the UroStop device for preventing climacturia (urine leakage during sex), and the P.D.A.D. assessment tool for Peyronie’s disease.

Follow our Twitter feed for more prostate cancer news and updates to this ongoing story.

 

 

Robotic Prostate Surgery Increasing Even Among Low Risk Patients Likely to Die of Other Causes

Thursday, July 11th, 2013

sexualincontinencedoctor

According to a recent report by NPR, men are increasingly selecting robotic prostate surgery, even when they are diagnosed with low risk, slow-growing prostate cancer and not likely to benefit from the heavily marketed new procedures. The study, published in JAMA, also reports that robotic prostate surgery is even increasing among older men diagnosed with slow-growing prostate cancer, who are much more likely to die of other causes.  According to the report, men older than 65 with low risk prostate cancer have a 20% risk of dying from the cancer and a 60% chance of dying from another cause.

In recent years, many groups have urged physicians and patients to ease up on early prostate cancer screenings, because of the risk of unnecessary treatment, including prostate surgery resulting in incontinence, impotence, and climacturia (sexual incontinence experienced by up to half of men undergoing prostate surgery).  A doctor quoted in the NPR report suggests less frequent testing for younger, low risk patients as a way to steer clear of the temptation to go ahead with new treatments.

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