A recent study has revealed a racial disparity in prostate cancer treatment of patients in the U.S.

The study, conducted in 2007 and reported in the Journal of Urology earlier this year, was led by Dr. Kathryn E. Richert-Boe, of Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Oregon. It’s objectives were to determine whether differences existed in prostate cancer treatment received by white and African American men at a health maintenance organization where access to medical care (was) theoretically equal for all members and, if so, to determine the reasons for these differences. The study found that African American patients in the early stages of prostate cancer were less likely than white patients to receive aggressive treatment for their disease.

Researchers conducting the study compared the likelihood of treatment with curative intent (TCI) between the two races, adjusting for age, tumor grade, stage, and the presence of comorbid conditions. What the study revealed was that 82 percent of 158 white prostate cancer patients underwent surgical removal of the prostate gland or radiation therapy for their illness; these are considered more aggressive treatments for the disease. Conversely, only 71 percent of 79 African-American patients received the same type of treatment. Dr. Richert-Boe and the team of researchers investigated whether other factors such as tumor grade, age, overall patient health, and even insurance coverage might explain the difference in treatment; they did not.

Prostate cancer is a leading cancer among men in the United States. In the year 2004, over 189,000 men were diagnosed with the disease. When found early, either through a DRE exam or PSA blood test, treatment is often successful. However, if the cancer goes undetected and reaches advanced stages before it is discovered, effective treatment can be much more difficult.

Prostate cancer in the early stages is often not treated aggressively, because the disease is slow-growing. Many doctors choose to monitor tumor growth and development rather than to prescribe more drastic or aggressive measures early on. The study found that while African American men were just as likely to agree to more aggressive treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy, they were only offered those options in 85 percent of the cases, versus 91 percent for white men.

In the end, the study concluded African American men were less likely to receive TCI than white men. Reasons for the findings in the study are not immediately clear. Additional studies including a larger patient sample is thought to be needed at this point to reveal the true nature of racial disparities in prostate cancer treatment.

About the Author:James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest prostate cancer treatment options available.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Study Reveals Disparity In Prostate Cancer Treatment Based On Race

Related articles by Cancer Treatment Pro

• Men overdiagnosed for prostate cancer: Study (canada.com)
• Older Prostate-Cancer Patients: ‘Watchful Waiting’ Good – TIME (time.com)
• Older Prostate Patients: The Case for Doing Nothing (time.com)
• Killer prostate cancer test hope (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Swiss study finds income affects prostate cancer patients’ survival (scienceblog.com)
• Mayo researchers find few side effects from radiation treatment given after prostate cancer surgery (scienceblog.com)

Technorati Tag: Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer prevention services have despite increased awareness, always struggled with the reluctance of men to talk about their health and to seek help. However, there is much that can be done and the following 5 tips can help to reduce your risk.

1) Accept Prostate Screening.

Prostate Screening has admittedly suffered from a muted response in the UK, However, recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine which examined the potential impact of Prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening programme has led to calls from the Prostate Cancer Charity to establish a UK National screening Committee. A major reason for this is sheer numbers – prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK – over 35,000 men are affected every year.

2) Ease off on the High Fat Foods

Research carried out by the Mayo Clinic in the US, has suggested that a diet high in saturated fats – an example being the animal fats found in red meat, may result in a higher possibility of prostate cancer.

3) Hit the Fruit & Vegetables

A link has been found between those diets high in fruits and vegetables and a lowering of various kinds of cancer

4) Favour Fish

It is advisable to maintain a regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids. This good fat, which can be found in certain cold water fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel, seems to lower the odds of getting a range of cancers.

5) Enjoy the sunshine

Used sensibly, catching the sun can be of immense benefit. Research into men living in the sunniest states in the US, found a 32% lower prostate cancer risk. The explanation appears to lie in Vitamin D, which we obtain from the sun. If worried about possible side effects to your skin get your Vitamin D from Cod Liver oil instead.

Be reassured – there is so much that can be done to to assist with Prostate Cancer Prevention… For even more great resources and information on prostate cancer head over to http://www.prostatenews.co.uk
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/prostate-cancer-prevention-5-essential-tips-to-reduce-your-risk-1438553.html

Related articles by Cancer Treatment Pro

• Killer prostate cancer test hope (news.bbc.co.uk)
• UNC expert: Better decision support tools needed for prostate cancer screening choice (scienceblog.com)
• Older Prostate-Cancer Patients: ‘Watchful Waiting’ Good – TIME (time.com)
• Older Prostate-Cancer Patients: ‘Watchful Waiting’ Good (time.com)
• Processed and red meat linked to prostate cancer risk (nationalpost.com)

Technorati Tag: Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer affects the prostate, which is a gland in the male reproductive system. The cancer cells may then spread to various parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in male. If detected early, prostate cancer can be effectively treated. However, advance prostate cancer is usually fatal. Hence, it is critical for men in the high risk group to be screened for prostate cancer regularly.

Most men have no problems with their prostate gland before the age of forty. Many will then start to develop enlarged prostate as they age. This prostate problem is not usually serious although the symptoms are annoying and inconvenient. The prostate enlarges and squeezes the urethra which carries urine from the bladder. When the urethra is squeezed by the enlarging prostate gland, there will be constant urge to urinate. The other symptoms are inability to control the urination process, the start, the stop and a weak flow of urine.

An enlarged prostate is not necessarily a sign of prostate cancer although the warning signs of prostate cancer are similar to that of an enlarged prostate. Hence, it is prudent to test for prostate cancer when you have symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

The symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty with urinating and ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen and pain in the lower body region.

However, you should know that you may have prostate cancer but not be experiencing any signs and symptoms. So just because you feel fine and healthy, it may not mean that you are, and so regardless of how you feel, you still need to get regular prostate check up, especially after the age of forty.

All Prostate Cancer Warning Signs Should Be Investigated Quickly

Some prostate cancer warning signs are the same as those of less serious diseases. However, all prostate cancer warning signs should be investigated promptly and thoroughly, especially for men in their fifties. These warning signs are the subtle evidence of the serious disease. Prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer with no obvious surface signs. When the tumor is sizeable, symptoms will manifest. These symptoms include frequent urges to urinate, difficulty in urinating, and a weak flow of urine when urinating.

The prostate cancer warning signs are also shown during sexual intercourse when a man has trouble with erection. Blood in the urine is another sign of prostate cancer. A stiff back, hips or thighs might be due to the growing prostate cancer. All these problems should be promptly investigated as possible indication of prostate cancer. As the cancer progresses, there will be more obvious warning signs but it may be too late by then.
About the Author:Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about the early symptoms of prostate cancer, please visit prostate problems symptoms.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – What is Your Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer?
Technorati Tag: Prostate Cancer

This is a humorous look at a serious subject, prostate cancer. Using old western clips, the video explains what prostate cancer is and encourages men to get a PSA test when appropriate.

Cancer & Health – It’s All about The Cell

Related articles by Zemanta

• Men overdiagnosed for prostate cancer: Study (canada.com)
• Chris Dodd Diagnosed With Early-Stage Prostate Cancer (huffingtonpost.com)
• ‘Watchful waiting’ is a viable option for prostate cancer patients with low-risk tumors (scienceblog.com)
• Study: PSA test leads to needless diagnoses (cnn.com)
• Prostate Diagnosis and Treatment Lags, but Research on Lifestyle Yields Clues (rawlivingfoods.typepad.com)

Technorati Tag: Prostate Cancer

Animation explaining what prostate cancer is, provided by Dr. Rajaratnam.

Cancer & Health – It’s All about The Cell

Related articles by Cancer Treatment Pro

• Andrew Lloyd Webber Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer (dlisted.com)
• Andrew Lloyd Webber has prostate cancer (telegraph.co.uk)
• Medivation and Astellas ink deal for MDV3100 in prostate cancer (pharmastrategyblog.com)