"Does testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increase the risk of my prostate cancer coming back?" It seems that this question is coming up more often these days among patients who have completed treatment for prostate cancer. The ... [Read More]
Smoking increases the risk of prostate cancer recurrence and death
One of the most important studies I have read on prostate cancer was published earlier this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health investigated the possible effects of smoking and ... [Read More]
Acupuncture alleviates hot flashes in men treated with hormone therapy: 80% improvement in hot flash symptoms and no side effects
Another study has been published on the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of hot flashes. Having used this treatment for many of my patients (men and women) with hormone therapy-induced hot flashes, I am not surprised at the published ... [Read More]
Radiographic imaging for staging prostate cancer is inappropriate for low and intermediate risk patients
Did you know that radiographic imaging studies (CT scans, bone scans and MRI) will detect disease outside of the prostate gland less than 1% of the time in men who are diagnosed with either "low" or "intermediate" risk prostate cancer? (i.e. Gleason ... [Read More]
Dying from prostate or colorectal cancer is reduced by up to 61% with exercise!!
Harvard researchers (reporting in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, in January 2011) discovered that men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer who exercised at least 3-hours each week decreased their risk of dying from prostate cancer by 61% compared ... [Read More]
A five-day, non-invasive treatment for prostate cancer (called "stereotactic body radiation therapy" or "SBRT") is now available
Did you know that external radiation (when employed as 1st-line therapy for prostate cancer) is prescribed for 9-weeks of daily treatment? There is a new shorter, non-invasive option that has recently become available...read on... Patients have ... [Read More]
An aspirin-a-day keeps prostate cancer away: Aspirin reduces the risk of recurrence by greater than 50%!!
In a fascinating study (which will be presented at the October 2010, American Society for Radiation Oncology annual meeting), investigators will be presenting the results of an analysis of 5,275 patients who had been treated for prostate cancer (with ... [Read More]
History of prostate cancer? Get a colonoscopy! Your risk of precancerous colon polyps is significantly elevated compared to those without a history of prostate cancer.
A new study (presented at the American College of Gastroenterology conference, in October 2010) reviewed the records of 2,000 men who underwent routine colonoscopies at the Buffalo VA Medical Center, and identified 188 men who also had a history of ... [Read More]
A common prostate cancer therapy increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes
Men who have aggressive (high-risk), advanced or metastatic prostate cancer are commonly prescribed hormonal therapy drugs called, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists that suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells by inhibiting the ... [Read More]
Soy consumption may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence
A study (published in Canadian Medical Association Journal) reports that postmenopausal women with a prior history of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer had a significantly lower risk (33% less!!) of breast cancer recurrence when they consumed ... [Read More]
Prostate cancer may be 30% less likely to recur in men on a common cholesterol lowering medication
In a study published in late June/early July 2010 (in the journal Cancer) investigators report that men who underwent surgery for prostate cancer and had been taking a common cholesterol lowering medication ("statins"), at the time of surgery, were ... [Read More]
Prostate cancer vaccine significantly improves survival
The FDA approved a new prostate cancer vaccine (Provenge) in April 2010. This vaccine stimulates the body's immune system by helping specific cancer-fighting cells (dendritic cells) to identify and destroy prostate cancer cells. The therapy requires ... [Read More]