PROSATE CANCER?

Have you had your physician give you a rectal exam of your prostate?

During this exam, the urologist inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and examines the prostate for any irregularities in size, shape, and texture. Often, this exam can be used by urologists to help distinguish between prostate cancer and non-cancerous conditions such as an elarged prostate.

Also a PSA is needed. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate and released in very small amounts into the bloodstream. When there’s a problem with the prostate, such as when prostate cancer develops and grows, more and more PSA is released, until it reaches a level where it can be easily detected in the blood.

During a PSA test, a small amount of blood is drawn from the arm, and the level of PSA is measured. PSA levels under 4 ng/mL are usually considered "normal," results over 10 ng/mL are usually considered "high," and results between 4 and 10 ng/mL are usually considered "intermediate."

However, PSA can also be elevated if other prostate problems are present, benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) or prostatitis, and some men with prostate cancer have "low" levels of PSA. This is why both the PSA and rectal exam are used to detect the presence of disease.

Lastly, if the urologist detects a nodule he will perform a prostate biopsy to make the final determination.

If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including:

A need to urinate frequently, especially at night.

Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine.
    
Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
   
Painful or burning urination.
    
Difficulty in having an erection.
    
Painful ejaculation.

Blood in urine or semen; or Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should definitely undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Perhaps you may want to try a visit to a nutritionist/dietician after a trip to an allergist. You may be intolerant to lactose or gluten in foods that is producing your abdominal pain.

Have you had a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy. These are the tests that utilize a camera to visualize the esophagus, lining of the stomach and colon.

Another thought is:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria. Researchers believe that H. pylori is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers.

H. pylori infection is common in the United States: About 20 percent of people under 40 years old and half of those over 60 years have it.

Researchers are not certain how people contract H. pylori, but they think it may be through food or water.

H. pylori weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, which allows acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Both the acid and the bacteria irritate the lining and cause a sore, or ulcer.

H. pylori is able to survive in stomach acid because it secretes enzymes that neutralize the acid. This mechanism allows H. pylori to make its way to the "safe" area—the protective mucous lining. Once there, the bacterium's spiral shape helps it burrow through the lining.

What are the symptoms of an ulcer?

Abdominal discomfort is the most common symptom. This discomfort usually

    * is a dull, gnawing ache

    * comes and goes for several days or weeks

    * occurs 2 to 3 hours after a meal

    * occurs in the middle of the night (when the stomach is empty)

    * is relieved by eating

    * is relieved by antacid medications

Other symptoms include

    * weight loss

    * poor appetite

    * bloating

    * burping

    * nausea

    * vomiting

Some people experience only very mild symptoms, or none at all.

I can give you some other suggestions of what may be going on, but I think this may give you a good start if you haven't tried any of this already.

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did the person read my question??? i had a psa done twice and a rectal exam.please someone who is going to read my question and give me detailed answers that i cant get from any old web site..thanks jay

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HEY DEB..YES I AM CONCERNED ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER.I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF ALL THESE TESTS COULD MISS PROSTATE CANCER THAT IS WELL ADVANCED SAY IN THE BONES.ALSO A BIOPSY IS NOT PERFECT..IT MISSES ALSO.AND A TRUS AS YOU WOULD CALL IT.IS NOT PERFECT EITHER.I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF ALL THESE TESTS COULD BE MISSING IT AND IF NOT WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE THEN

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HI DEB..I APPRECIATE YOU WRITING ME BACK SO FAST..ALL TESTS ARE WITHIN LAST YEAR TO 15 MONTHS.CT SCANS 2 OF THEM IN LAST 2 MONTHS..MRI LAST WEEK,BLOOD WORK EVERY 2 MONTHS.I THINK I HAVE ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCE BECAUSE OF BONE PAIN BUT MY ALK PHOS WAS FINE AND SO WAS CALCIUM..I ALSO HAD A BONE SPECIFIC ALK PHOS ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AND THAT WAS FINE,BUT MY UPPER ARM HURTS AND ESPECIALLY MY LEG..PAIN LIKE A CRAMP UNDER TESTICLE EVERY NOW AND THEN AND ZINGING IN GROIN AREA.LIKE I SAID I PASSED KIDNEY STONE,HAVE PROSTATE STONES AND GALL STONES.BUT IT FEELS LIKE CANCER..I AM ALSO ON LEXAPRO BECAUSE IM DRIVING MYSELF CRAZY..COULD THEY BE MISSING IT..IM GOING FOR A 3RD PSA THIS THURSDAY AND ANOTHER BSAP..I WANT A BONE SCAN OR A MRI OF PROSTATE.BUT THEY WONT DO IT.

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HEY DEB,YEP DONE THAT I EVEN BOUGHT THAT BOOK A HEADACHE IN THE PELVIS..I SED TO ALWAYS HOLD IN GOING TO BATHROOM NUMBER 2 BY CONTRACTING MY PELVIC MUSCLES AND HOLDING IT IN..INTO MY 20S BUT I DONT THINK I WOULD GET URINARY SYMPTOMS FROM IT OR BONE PAIN.WELL THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.ANY OTHER ADVISE.I NEED IT.HOW CAN I GET MY DOCTOR TO DO A BONE SCAN WITH DYE.THAT WOULD CONVINCE ME I HAVE NO BONE CANCER AND KILLS MY THEORY..OR EVEN A MRI OF PROSTATE.

I would just be upfront and straight to the point-- tell him you are not going to rest until you have it. Tell him you want to know once and for all.

__________________

Relist: I still need help.

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Relist: I want a different opinion.

Relist: I still need help.

Dr Guptov please!

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