Communities around the country are proclaiming September as Prostate Awareness Month. Citizens of our community will be sporting light blue ribbons in support of those who have been treated for the disease and those who will be diagnosed in the future.

The American Cancer Society is reporting that new research into gene changes linked to prostate cancer is helping scientists to find a better understanding of how the cancer develops. As in many cancer treatments the hope is to design medications that will target the changes. With screening tests, the hope is also to be able to identify men at a high risk who may benefit more from screenings and “chemoprevention” trials.

Cancer research in general looks for certain foods that contain substances that may help lower the incidence of various types of cancer. In the case of prostate cancer risk, lycopenes found in tomatoes and isoflavones found in soybeans may help to prevent the disease.

Scientists are also looking at these substances to be compounded in hopes of creating a dietary supplement. Currently a balanced diet containing these and other fruits and vegetables offers the greatest benefit.

The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is not a perfect way to find prostate cancer early, however doctors are using the only available tool for now. Research is progressing on two new strategies. One approach is to improve the test and the other is to develop new tests that are based on tumor markers.

If you or someone you know has had an elevated PSA result, you may have had a transrectal ultrasound for taking biopsy samples. A newer approach is to measure blood flow within the gland using a technique called “color Doppler Ultrasound. Because there often are more blood vessels in and around tumors, this could improve locating areas for biopsy.

A newer Enhanced MRI is being used in hopes of finding lymph nodes that contain cancer that will assist doctors in staging the disease when it is found. The use of the traditional MRI on patients and then the injection of tiny magnetic particles with a second scan the next day show results that point to a possibility of cancer cells in the lymph nodes. More research is needed before this becomes widely used.

Everyday a new treatment, a new method for staging and a new way to diagnose cancer looms on the horizon. What was true last year may well be antiquated by tomorrow when you wake up.

You can learn more about Prostate Cancer by visiting the American Cancer Society web site at www.cancer.org. If you have a man in your life that you love, wear light blue this month to show your support for his health. Next month he will in turn wear pink to support the ladies who have survived breast cancer or will take the journey in the future.

We remember those who have left us that fought the battle of prostate cancer and those who are taking the journey. We share this information to inform those who may not yet know they have prostate cancer to encourage them to be tested.

First Group 2x2
First Group 2x2
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