Based on this statistic, most people might assume that the majority of American men are well educated about how best to fight prostate cancer, where to turn for more information and what support group an uncle or golf buddy relied on during their respective battles with the disease.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. While women regularly host breast cancer awareness and fund-raising walks across the country, men have been less proactive on matters related to their health, including essential measures such as soliciting second opinions and researching treatment options. The result of this passive approach is that the average man does not always make good, informed decisions about his own health care.

A new program is encouraging men to alter their approach to health care, at least when it comes to battling prostate cancer. Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, along with Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, have founded the "Partner’s Program" to help men with prostate cancer and their partners face the diagnosis together, encourage them to seek information regarding treatment options, and ultimately, make more well-informed treatment decisions.

This program clearly responds to an unmet need. Recently, an Us TOO- and Y-ME-commissioned survey found that, although the majority of men with prostate cancer have heard of both surgery and radiation as treatment options, up to 38 percent don’t know that other treatments, such as hormonal therapy, even exist. Even more alarming, less than 50 percent of men with prostate cancer take the time to get a second opinion on their diagnosis or proposed treatment. These facts are sure to concern anyone who loves a man at risk of developing prostate cancer.

The good news for wives and partners is the survey found that men don’t want to face prostate cancer treatment choices alone, making a resource like the "Partner’s Program" attractive for both men and women. While men are not typically as open as women on subjects such as prostate cancer, the survey found that almost 70 percent of men age 50 and older indicated that they would like their partner to play an active role in the process of choosing an appropriate course of therapy.

Now, with the help of the "Partner’s Program," the average American man may become more proactive about his health.

By: Wade Gibson

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options: Selecting What Is Best

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer nowadays is by no means a death sentence however it is imperative that you get treatment without delay. 

Prostate Cancer – The Immune System & Herbal Treatments

Maintaining a good immune system is important to preventing disease, including prostate cancer. This is the reason that proper nutrition is so important. In order for your body to fight off disease, it needs the right nutrition to build 

The Thursday prostate cancer news: February 12, 2009

Higher grade disease in men diagnosed with prostate cancer because of LUTS; The role of MR/MRI in prostate biopsy for carefully defined patients; Risk for understaging of prostate cancer; Sorenafib in treatment of 

Technorati Tags: cancer, latest treatment on prostate cancer, mitosis in cancer treatments, prostate, surgical treatment for prostrate cancer, treatment

Free advice also starts coming your way. What I would do if it were me… Please don’t take their advice.

But there are some common sense things that might apply here. I feel as though the best advice you can get is from people who have had cancer. Those that have gone through the treatments and know exactly what you will be experiencing. Ask your doctor about some of those support groups. These people can give you better strategies for making it through difficult times.

Go for a second opinion. I went to five different doctors and got several different approaches. When I was first diagnosed, I was told I had cancer on my vocal chords. My second opinion was that it was not on my vocals at all but at the base of my tongue. Now if I had listened to my first doctor, I would have been minus my vocal chords, not able to talk, and still have cancer. Do not feel as though you have to be loyal to your doctor at this time, it’s for your own good.

Explore all the research you can for your particular type of treatment that is available. Inquire to others. Do not leave it all up to your doctor. When I found out about a particular treatment, I asked my doctor and he mentioned that he had heard of it but not that familiar with it. It was ultimately the treatment I chose.

You have every right to get mad, kick, scream, and cry. Do not let anyone take that away from you. But you do have to go through with what it takes to receive the treatment you need. Just ride it out. Above all, do not give up the fight, no matter how hard it may seem. I could not talk, had to have a feeding tube to get anything in my stomach, looked like death eating a cracker, but never for once did I think I was not going to make it. It does get better.

Be sure and make good friends with the nurses. Face it, you will see them more than the doctor. The nurses will help you and identify more of your problems than the primary doctor. That is just a fact. They will become your lifeline.

Regardless of your aches and pains, tell the nurses or doctor. They have a pill that will help with anything. I never felt like that was the time to worry about drug addiction anyway. I felt as though a good drug rehab facility could not be any worse than what I was going through.

Keep humor in your life. As always said, laughter is the best medicine. Turn off the news shows and turn on "I love Lucy" reruns, anything to keep your mind at ease.

Depression? Yea, plan on a little bit of that. But it should be temporary, again, resort to drugs and deal it with it later. Your first and primary goal is to get through your treatments.

All of this probably sound like cancer treatment is the worst thing you could ever possible do. In some cases it is. In some cases it’s not. It is all in the approach.

About two months ago my son was diagnosed with cancer of his vocal chords. I sat and told him everything that I’m typing right here. At 36 years old he is just not supposed to have to deal with all of this. He is taking it better than me. He is now on radiation treatment number 28 of 35. I met him at the clinic yesterday and he looked no different than before he started treatments. His throat is a little sore and his voice is a little raspy but other than that he is doing remarkable well.

I asked him about it all and how he was feeling. He just said that this was a temporary set back for a short period of time and he was the one who would determine his health, not the cancer. He has not lost a days work due to this, continues to coach his daughters softball team, very little changes in his diet but all in all his doctor said he is doing better than 95% of the people he has ever treated.

Cancer can take an emotional and a physical toll on you. Just remember you are the expert, it is your life. Listen to yourself. Your life may change dramatically after. I became mush more caring for other people, changed jobs, started thinking more of me and the direction I wanted to go in life.

If you are going through a battle right now, I wish you the best and I wish I could be there to just hold your hand for a moment.

Patrick Swayze To Congress: ‘I’m Battling Cancer. How About Some 

Patrick Swayze, who is battling pancreatic cancer, took to the pages of The Washington Post on Sunday asking Congress to 

How safe is our tap water? | Battling Cancer

About Battling Cancer. Raquel Billiones has a PhD in Biology and has over 15 years experience as a researcher, scientific English teacher, and medical writer. Since 2006, she has been a freelance

Women become friends battling cancer, start Driving for Change 

Wilmington, NC Local News – WWAYTV3.com delivers the latest breaking news and information on the latest top stories, weather, business, entertainment, politics, and more. For in-depth coverage, WWAYTV

Technorati Tags: Cancer Support, first sign throat cancer, methyltrexate esophageal cancer, what is the mortality rate for esophageal cancer

Getting a cancer diagnosis is probably one of the most devastating things a person has to experience. I can only imagine what a person who has heard the words, "You’ve got cancer." must feel, but that doesn’t mean I can’t sympathize with the situation and tell you that I love you.

You read all of the time about people telling you how to cope with cancer and what your treatment options are, so I’m not going to do that. What I am going to do is to tell you that you are on my heart and on my mind, and I promise to say a prayer for you every day that you will be strengthened by this journey you’re on.

My father, Willie, was having some issues with his stomach late last year. His doctors believed he had some blockage in his intestines, so they decided to do surgery to see what they could find. Well, they found something, and what they found was not promising. Daddy had a cancerous tumor that was blocking his colon.

I remember vividly sitting in the waiting room during his surgery and the doctor coming out, stone-faced, and I stood to my feet. We were expecting to hear that his surgery had gone well and the blockage had been removed. Dr. Ward looked us squarely in the eyes and said, "We’ve found cancer." My stepmother immediately started crying, but not me.

If there is one thing I know, I know that God is able. And as if that weren’t already enough, I know my dad is a trooper. I instantly thought that if anyone could get the diagnosis and beat it, surely, it was him. We affectionately call him "The Bull" because of his rough and tough exterior, but inside he’s just a sweet little pony. (smile)

I can’t say that my heart didn’t skip a beat when the doctor told us the news, but I can tell you a few things grounded me in that instance. First, my faith. Then, my love for my dad and his zest for life.

I didn’t flinch as I asked the physician, "So, what’s next?" He said, "Well, I believe I’ve removed all of it, and it doesn’t look like it has spread. But, we won’t know for sure until we receive the tests back from the lymph nodes we took in the surrounding area. That could take up to a week." Then, he reassured us Daddy was doing well from surgery and was in recovery.

I’m happy to say The Bull’s story ends well. The cancer hadn’t spread, and he would be fine. But had his tummy not been bothering him, we probably would have not known cancer was alive and well inside his body until it was too late.

I know everyone’s story doesn’t end like his. And I didn’t tell you that to make you feel bad if your experience isn’t looking like it will end well. What I do want to offer you is hope. Hope and belief that even if cancer costs you your life, that other good things may come from it like how something like this pulls and welds families together.

So, if you’re living with cancer or experienced it the way I have, through a loved one, a diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end. Everything happens for a reason. Whatever season you’re in with this disease, please know that my heart goes out to you.

And please also know that just as I ached for my father’s well-being, I ache for yours. My prayer is that a cure will be found to stave off this disease once and for all. But until it is discovered, take heart that someone out there loves you and is praying on your behalf.

May God bless you and your family as you navigate the rough waters of a cancer diagnosis. I love you. Take care.

Nicole enjoys spending time with her son, Jordan and her husband, Muri. She is also very passionate about helping people with their fight against cancer, either by assisting them with their prescription costs or offering an alternative to traditional health insurance. If you would like more information about how you can receive FREE cancer meds or if you’re interested in reducing your medical bills by up to 50%, please contact Nicole.

By Nicole Calhoun

Cancer Alternative Treatment | Tian Xian | Blog: Thyroid Gland

I have gone to many hospitals for diagnosis and treatments. How many people’s lives are troubled by cancer! I had to go to various hospitals and face various doctors. I believed that I could get to know good doctors and 

When a cancer "cure" isn’t (at least not by the usual standards

medicine, treatment, therapy, hospitals, clinics, medical, health, living, life, death, cancer, research, doctors, news, Vancouver, blog, Vancouver Sun, Canada, British Columbia, Pamela Fayerman, studies, health care, 

Cost of cancer treatment outruns insurance

She found out after she was diagnosed, however, that it offered little coverage for cancer treatments. Although it did cover many of the costs for her surgery and hospital stay, her part of the bill was $50000. 

Technorati Tags: cancer, care, concurrent therapy esophageal cancer, matt barnes has throat cancer, patient assistance for esophageal cancer, support, support for throat cancer patients in maryland

Denial. Fear. Anger. A cancer diagnosis brings an endless amount of emotions. What do you do now?

It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to treating cancer, but you are not alone in your journey to recovery. Doctors and nurses will be there to help you address your questions and concerns about cancer treatment.

With these tips from the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, you’ll be more prepared to fight the disease head-on.

* First, take a deep breath. You don’t have to decide on the best treatment the second you are diagnosed. Take a moment to collect your thoughts.

* Do your homework. Before agreeing to a treatment, read up on your type of cancer and the treatments that are available. Visit your hospital’s cancer resource library to find brochures and other information on your type of cancer. Your local library and the Internet also are great places for information. Keep in mind that some of the information out there is out-of-date or biased, so be sure to talk to your doctor about what you learn.

* Get a second opinion. In some cases, more than one treatment may be right for your cancer. Before deciding on a treatment, be sure to meet with several different cancer doctors, including a surgeon, a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist, to learn about available treatments and their side effects. Getting all of this information at once might be difficult to digest, therefore it’s a good idea to take a friend or family member with you to help take notes and ask questions.

* Ask about clinical trials. Clinical trials are studies examining new ways to treat cancer. Some experimental drugs or techniques will only be available to patients who are participating in a clinical trial.

* Get involved. Cancer support groups are available in all parts of the country to help patients and family members cope. Ask your nurse for recommendations of groups in your area.

* Talk to your insurance company. Avoid surprises during treatment by learning what cancer treatments are covered by your plan. If you don’t have insurance, talk to your doctors about the options available to you.

By: Richard Lewis

An invaluable guide to all the best sources for dealing with and treating every type of cancer.  Including the best cancer clinics, nutritional support, emotion and financial support…  Read more…

Technorati Tags: esophageal cancer signs, esophageal cancer symptoms, methyltrexate esophageal cancer, support for love one with stage 4 esophageal cancer, vocal cord cancer