Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Holistic Approaches to Prostate Care...Why You Should Ignor the PSA Test

 DO MEN OVER 50 REALLY NEED A PSA TEST?

One of the most controversial cancer screening tests for older adult men is the PSA (prostate specific antigen). Since its introduction in 1986, doctors have used this test to screen men for prostate cancer.

While the test may be useful in detecting early cancers in men 50 or younger, studies have increasingly shown that the PSA test is remarkably ineffective for men in their 60s and beyond.

In a groundbreaking statement, Dr. Thomas Stamey of Stanford University School of Medicine, the man who invented the PSA test, has called for the PSA test to be retired.

“The PSA [prostate specific antigen] era is probably over for detection of prostate cancer in the United States” declares Dr. Stamey.

Dr. Stamey has good reason for calling a moratorium on the PSA. According to the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution’s Prostate Bulletin, false-positive PSA results can be caused by urological difficulties such as prostatitis—and extremely common condition among older men—along with urinary retention and other common infections of the urogenital tract. Even prostate biopsies themselves can raise PSA levels.




HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO PROSTATE CARE:

According to Dr. Aaron Katz, MD, Director of Holistic Urology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, a diet high in fresh (preferably organic) produce along with lean protein is the cornerstone of prostate health. Consumption of green tea, pomegranate juice, selenium (an essential trace mineral found in Brazil nuts, tuna, beef, eggs and plants grown in soil rich in selenium), and lycopene (a bright red antioxident chemical found in tomatoes, watermelon, carrots, papaya and other red fruits) are essential prostate and urogenital system health.

Katz also advises men to make healthy lifestyle changes such as getting regular and appropriate exercise to boost overall immunity and wellbeing.





“Unfortunately, the majority of urologists rely solely on surgery and pharmaceuticals,” says Katz. “They fail to advise their patients on lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and the use of science-backed nutraceuticals [food or food products that provide medical benefits] as a means of prevention or complementary therapy.”

1 comment:

  1. I think that the comment about urologists relying on surgery and pharmaceuticals holds true for ALL types of physicians! Great article!

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