Prostate cancer can be beaten
- September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and this campaign serves as an important reminder to be aware of what is truly a "silent disease" growing.
- Prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States, also is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men.
- This cancer can develop without obvious symptoms, hence the "silent killer" label, but it definitely doesn't have to be.
- Early detection is so important in slowing down the disease.
- Statistics from the National Prostate Cancer Coalition show approximately 317,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 41,000 will die as a result of the disease.
- Men should know that nearly 100 percent of those diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive in five years.
- That is why doctors recommend men over the age of 40 make an appointment to receive a yearly exam.
- Men who are at high risk, especially African-Americans or those who have family members with prostate cancer, should begin testing earlier.
- Since the use of early detection tests for prostate cancer became relatively common about 20 years ago, the death rate has dropped, according to American Cancer Society reports.
- New research also shows a low-calorie diet may help reduce prostate cancer risk, and doctors now recommend eating a balanced diet, exercising daily and limiting alcohol consumption.
Warnex Launches New Website: pca3.ca
- Warnex Inc. announced today the launch of its new website www.pca3.ca for its PCA3 test for prostate cancer detection, available throughout Canada.
- Warnex's PCA3 test is a simple, non invasive test performed on a urine sample that informs a patient on their risk of having prostate cancer.
- "The Warnex PCA3 test for the detection of prostate cancer is highly specific and more precise than all other available screening tests for prostate cancer," said Mark Busgang, President and CEO of Warnex.
- Offered since 2008, Warnex's PCA3 testing service uses advanced PCR technology to detect mRNA from the prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3).
- Warnex uses a molecular biology assay to measure the expression of PCA3 mRNA in urine samples.
- PCA3 is specific to the prostate and is significantly up-regulated (60-100 fold) in prostate cancer.
- The test quantitatively measures PCA3 mRNA as well as PSA mRNA and determines their ratio.
- High ratios have been shown to be indicative of prostate cancer.
- PCA3 screening may help to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.
- Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and can often be cured or managed successfully.
September is Prostate Cancer Month
- While most of us would like to be content in our own little cocoon and believe that cancer is something that happens to someone else, the reality is far from that. Generally speaking, most men will do anything to avoid a visit to a physician. They have to be in a lot of pain before they will make an appointment.
- Prostate cancer is the second leading killer (behind lung cancer) among men in the USA. Early detection and treatment are key factors in addressing prostate cancer. The sentence you just read is so very important that I encourage you to read it again.
- "Early detection and treatment are key factors in addressing prostate cancer."
- No one knows the exact cause of prostate cancer.
- Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer.
- The disease is rare in men younger than 45, but the chance of getting it goes up sharply as a man ages.
- A man’s risk of prostate cancer is higher than average if his brother or father had the disease.
- There simply is no excuse for men to not get a yearly prostate cancer screening test.
- Most group and individual health insurance plans have a "routine" benefit that is now unlimited. It must be coded as preventive. This can include a routine physical, a mammogram, a prostate cancer screening and even a flu shot.
