A Quick List Prostate Cancer Resources

The prevalence of prostate cancer can spur individuals and loved ones living with the condition into action. Among other things, getting information (and the right one) is a top priority for all. Therefore, it is important that the right resources are looked into for information on about this disease.

 Prostate cancer is affecting 1 in every 6 men in the United States. Most of these are on the verge of death because their condition has become precarious and scary. However, with improvements in medical researches and diagnostic methods, the survival rates of most people with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer has been extended. So, if the right measures are taken on time, millions of men affected by this scourge could have relieve from their condition.

That being said, information gathering and support about prostate cancer can go a long way to help those living with cancer of the prostate. There are organizations out there, especially if you are in the United States that can help you with information, funding, and other support when it comes to dealing with cancer of the prostate. These are often known as resource centers. Some network with victims, family members, and medical personnel to support those affected. You need to take advantage of what these organizations have to offer to deal with this cancer.

Here is a quick list of prostate cancer resource centers you may want to checkout:

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• American Urological Association Foundation
• American Prostate Society
• National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
• National Prostate Cancer Coalition
• Prostate Cancer Foundation
• American Bone Marrow Donor Registry
• American Cancer Society
• Patient Advocates for Advanced (Prostate) Cancer Treatment (PAACT)
• Association of Oncology Social Work
• The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
• People Living With Cancer
• New York Online Access to Health (NOAH)
• National Marrow Donor Program
• FDA’s Cancer Liaison Program

There are still other centers and organizations that can help you with information about prostate cancer. Google the website of each of the centers listed above for more details.

Finally, prostate cancer resources are another way of getting help to deal with that malignant tumor that has originated from the prostate gland. The information you source from any of the list above should not, in any, take the place of advice from your doctor, oncologist, urologist, or health care provider.

Radiation Therapy Candidates for New Investigational Study On Prostate Cancer Treatment

One of the major side effects of using radiation therapy for treating prostate cancer is the damage done to surrounding healthy tissues by the heat of the radiation. The use of a new gel known as the SpaceOAR gel to protect organs adjacent to the gland can be achieved.

This is the result a clinical study conducted by a renowned 21st Century Oncologist, Dr.Constantine Mantz, wants to evaluate.Men who had been diagnosed with cancer of the prostate are have been prescribed radiation treatments are urged to participate in this investigational study. Details of this report are highlighted in the quote below:

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and radiation therapy has been suggested as a treatment option, you may be a candidate for a new investigational study being conducted by Dr. Constantine Mantz, at 21st Century Oncology.

The SpaceOAR™ System Clinical Study is evaluating the effectiveness of SpaceOAR hydrogel as a means of protecting organs adjacent to the prostate from exposure to radiation during treatment. Two-thirds of the patients participating in the study will be treated with the SpaceOAR gel, and one-third will not receive the gel. The decision as to which patients will receive the gel will be made randomly.

Patients participating in the study will return for follow-up visits at three, six, 12 and 15 months after the procedure. Patients interested in participating in the study will undergo a thorough screening process to determine whether or not they are eligible for the study. During this screening period, the study will be carefully explained and detailed information will be provided. There is no additional cost to participate in the study.

For more information, contact Study Coordinator Cathy Bostwick, R.N. at (239) 848-7362. Source.

Prostate cancer radiation therapy is very effective for destroying cancerous cells in the prostate. It is mostly recommended for dealing with localized prostate cancer. That is, those that malignant tumors that are still within the confines of the prostate gland.

However, the side effects like the damage of nearby cells are something that still gives patients and medical experts concern. With the new SpaceOAR gel clinical study, it is hoped that a new way to deal with the side effects of radiation treatment would be developed. Those that qualify as candidates for the study should take steps and help evaluate the effectiveness of this gel.

Novel Drug Used on the Lockerbie Bomber Too Expensive for Prostate cancer Patients

It’s sad news for those with prostate cancer in the UK. This is because a drug that is to extend the life of patients is way too expensive for the ordinary man. Cabazitaxel is a potent drug like Abiraterone used to fight advanced prostate cancer.

It has been confirmed that this medication was used on Al Meghrahi (the Libyan Lockerbie bomber) who is now 60, and still lives despite prognosis that he had only a few months to live.

The sell and availability of this drug is now a source of concern because those that supposed to fund it are claiming is it well too expensive and cannot be included in the National Health Service (NHS). Here are more details on this development:

 The Libyan terrorist has survived almost three years after a doctor said he had only months to live and he was released on “compassionate” grounds from a Scottish prison.

Al Megrahi, 60, is believed to be taking cabazitaxel to combat his prostate cancer.

But the drugs funding watchdog has decided against allowing its use on the NHS as it claimed the drug only extends life by three months and at £22,000 is too expensive.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) reached the same decision in February about another prostate cancer drug taken by Al Megrahi, abiraterone, as it they said only extends life by four months on average.

Critics say the two new drugs give some patients much longer than three or four extra months and do not cost as much as Nice claims.

The drugs are the only medicines licensed in Britain that are proven to give advanced prostate patients more time.

Professor Jonathan Waxman of Imperial College London said: “The cost argument n which Nice bases their decision is false, giving a much higher estimate of true cost than applies in reality.

“As a result, yet another successful and effective cancer treatment is denied our patients, a mortifying blow to cancer care in England.

“As the only route to access is now the Cancer Drugs Fund, a temporary arrangement that operates very differently around the country, I fear we’re heading towards a re-emergence of the postcode lottery.”

Emma Malcolm, chief executive of the charity Prostate Action, said: “Cabazitaxel is one of only two licensed drugs available in the UK that offers the hope of precious extra time and quality of life benefits to men living with advanced prostate cancer.

“Men with advanced prostate cancer have so few treatment options available to them that they should be able to access both of these new treatments.” Click here to get read the full extract.

This development is sure a sad one considering the fact that many men in the UK are suffering from prostate cancer. Most of these men may not survive from the effects of this scourge in the next few months. It is important that the government of the UK look into this and carve out away of to reduce the price of these drugs and make them more available to patients.

If something is done fast enough then the thousands of men with advanced prostate cancer can be saved from earlier dead. Availability of these licensed drugs to the NHS is one way to save lives of these men. Prostate cancer is a deadly disease; the lives of patients should not be sacrificed on the altar of politics and funding.

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