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Finding a HIFU Doctor

General Prostate Cancer Info - Blog

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Searching for a HIFU Doctor can be quite a challenging task if you do not know how to go about it. Prostate cancer is increasing in its prevalence in men, particularly in men over 50 years of age, and it may be time for you to address the possibility of you getting prostate cancer.

If you are a male over 50 years old you need to seriously consider getting tested for prostate cancer by a HIFU Doctor. Among the first issues to consider is if you are ready to confront the real possibility that you may have prostate cancer. This is the first step in the right direction toward getting help and securing your health and future.

A HIFU Doctor can perform a biopsy or another type of procedure to determine if you have prostate cancer and what your risks are for possibly obtaining prostate cancer. Once you make the correct decision that you are ready to be tested for prostate cancer, then you need to go about finding a HIFU Doctor in your area.

First ask your male family or friends in the central Florida region if they know a Urologist whom they personally have been to and can recommend them to you. It’s always best to ask them first, as family and friends often provide the best referrals based on their own experience with that physician.

If you do not have any male family or friends that can recommend a Urologist to you, then consult with your current practitioner to see if they may be able to recommend a Doctor to you. Often they will know a network of Doctors who they work with or are associated with who may be able to assist you with your prostate cancer needs.

If these first two options don’t work out, your next best choice would be to ask your health insurance company. Ask them for a list of HIFU Doctors that are on their list of preferred providers, and how to go about contacting them. If your insurance company does not have any central Florida Urologists on their preferred provider list, ask them what their policy is for seeing Doctors not on their preferred provider list.

If you have not been able to find a Urologist by now, the next step you can take is to Google “Orlando HIFU Doctor” and start contacting their physician offices in your area. You need to make sure that they are affordable and that they offer High Intensity Focused Ultrasound treatment, just in case you are found to have prostate cancer. HIFU is a minimally invasive procedure that uses focused sound wave energy to eliminate cancer cells without an incision or blood loss.

Finding a Urologist is a very important step in resolving the potential issue of you having prostate cancer. You need to feel very comfortable in their presence and feel that they are truly on your side and with you every step of the way.

If you would like to meet with us, Dr. Lotenfoe is one of the foremost recognized HIFU specialists in the southeastern United States. His experience and personal care for his patients is second to none.

 

Foods That Promote a Healthy Prostate in Orlando

General Prostate Cancer Info - Blog

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The prostate gland is extremely important within the inner workings of the male reproductive system. However, according to the National Institute of Health, there are a number of medical conditions known to affect the prostate, including prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or even prostate cancer. An Orlando prostate cancer treatment facility always promotes a nutritious diet that will enhance the health of one’s prostate and prevent the formation of prostate-related diseases, including prostate cancer, which would need Orlando prostate cancer treatments. Foods to avoid include salty foods, refined sugars, processed foods, bottled salad dressings, alcohol, coffee, soda, and hydrogenated and saturated fats (except for sesame oil and olive oil, which are okay, all the others may exacerbate growth of any malignant cells).


Fruits and vegetables are rich in a variety of essential nutrients, including antioxidants and fiber. The University of Maryland Medical Center makes the suggestion that fresh fruits and vegetables need to be incorporated into a diet for anyone looking to promote prostate health. The Orlando prostate cancer center recommends cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli as they are associated with lowering the risk of cancer. Berries, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, and watermelon should also be incorporated because of their high levels of antioxidants. Other fruits that are extremely rich in antioxidants include grapefruit, oranges, mangos, kiwi, cantaloupe, papaya, plums, mangos, and red grapes. Other vegetables known for their high levels of antioxidants include sweet potatoes, winter squash, red bell peppers, and carrots.


The Medical Center at the University of Maryland has also stated that regularly consuming fish can decrease the incidence of prostate cancer. For those undergoing Orlando prostate cancer treatments, fish can help bolster the effect of the treatment. Omege-3 fatty acid-rich fish, such as tuna, salmon, and sardines boosts the strength of cells, making them able to combat diseases and infections much better, making the body a lot healthier. Omega-3 is also linked to reducing and even preventing inflammation that is often associated with a number of prostate-related medical conditions. It is advocated to eat around three ounces of fish between two and three times per week.


Whole grains and bran are also highly recommended. Because whole grains contain all the various nutritional components associated with the original plant, they provide much more nutrients, protein, and fiber than refined grains. Bran especially is beneficial because it is very rich in fiber. In the October 2010 publication of the “Journal of Nutrition,” it was stated that eating whole grain bran can reduce the growth of tumors in men who suffer from prostate cancer. In this study 17 patients with prostate cancer were asked to eat whole grain and rye products, or eat refined wheat products for a period of six weeks. Those male patients that ate the whole grains had a greater reduction in tumor size than those men who ate the refined grains. The researchers suspected that this added benefit comes from the beneficial impact that whole grains have on a person’s blood sugar levels. Men should try to incorporate whole grains whenever they can, including in bread, cereals, and pasta, rather than products that have white flour or enriched wheat.


Lastly, men should look into eating more sources of lean protein. Sources of protein high in fat, especially saturated fat, such as whole milk, processed meats, as well as fatty red meat, can actually hinder the health of the prostate and increase the risk of generating a prostate-related disease. Men should eat more protein from lean sources, such as egg whites, poultry (especially the white meat), beans, lentils, and low-fat dairy products, like yogurt and milk.

 

Answering Questions About the P.S.A. Test

General Prostate Cancer Info - Blog

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News that an influential panel of experts is advising healthy men not to be screened for prostate cancer with a widely used test is certain to cause confusion and anxiety among men and their doctors, and reignites a debate about the benefits and risks of screening tests.

The recommendations, to be officially announced on Tuesday by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, affect more than 44 million men age 50 and older who typically are candidates for a simple blood screen call the prostate-specific antigen (P.S.A.) test.

The panel, which already recommends against P.S.A. screening for men age 75 and older, will cite recent research suggesting that the testing does not save lives but does lead to unnecessary treatments that can cause impotence, incontinence and a number of other complications.

Here are some answers to common questions about P.S.A. testing and what the task force recommendations mean for men.

Will the new recommendations prevent me from getting a P.S.A. test if I want one?

No. Whether to be screened for prostate cancer is still a decision that each man must make for himself with the advice of a doctor he trusts. But now that the independent panel has taken a stand, many doctors who were ambivalent or opposed to P.S.A. testing may be more willing to express their own doubts about the test and to advise patients against it.

What if I have a family history of prostate cancer or worrisome symptoms? Should I still be checked for cancer?

The panel’s advice is based on studies of healthy men. Men who have symptoms related to prostate health should always be seen by a doctor; the task force did not address whether P.S.A. testing is appropriate for them. And men with a strong family history of prostate cancer may have more to gain from screening than men at low risk, so they also should discuss the issue with their physician.

In addition, a man who already has prostate cancer that has been diagnosed or treated is likely to continue to undergo P.S.A. testing, which can help doctors determine whether cancer has returned or is spreading.

What do other groups say about P.S.A. testing?

Most major medical groups have not taken a stand against routine P.S.A. screening and say it is a decision a man should discuss with his doctor. The American Cancer Society suggests that the conversation start at age 50 for most men, earlier for African-Americans and men with a strong family history of prostate cancer.

The American Urological Association recommends that P.S.A. screening be offered to men 40 or older. Most organizations discourage prostate cancer screening for men with less than 10 years life expectancy.

Why not get screened? Isn’t it always better to find cancer early?

The argument against P.S.A. testing is that prostate cancer is typically so slow growing that most men would be just fine if they never knew it was there. But once cancer is detected, it is psychologically difficult for a man to do nothing.

As a result, tens of thousands of men each year are left impotent and incontinent as a result of aggressive treatment for a cancer that would never have caused them harm. But it is impossible to tell which men have comparatively benign cancer and which men have aggressive cancer. As a result, many doctors believe the overall benefits of screening outweigh the negatives.

How much weight do the task force recommendations carry?

The task force is an independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care appointed by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. While the group only makes recommendations, a change by the task force often prompts other organizations to review their guidelines and can influence how insurance companies reimburse for certain services.

But the influence of the panel is often determined by how controversial its recommendations are. Two years ago, for instance, the task force concluded that healthy women under age 50 should no longer get annual mammograms. That recommendation was met with strong resistance by many cancer organizations, women and their doctors, many of whom continue to ignore it.

And even though the panel has already recommended that men over age 75 not undergo P.S.A. testing, many men and their doctors continue the practice. Earlier this year, The Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that men ages 80 to 85 are being screened as often as those 30 years younger. The task force’s advice is not necessarily the final word.

 

What are the Benefits of Pro-Vas

General Prostate Cancer Info - Blog

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Women have always had a number of contraceptive options to choose from, while men only have ever had really one option provided to them, which are condoms. Those couples wanting a strong form of birth control have had to rely on women and the use of birth control pills to hinder the possibility of unwanted pregnancies. The only contraceptive option previously for men is a permanent one that could not be reversed – a vasectomy. However, now there is a brand new male contraceptive device that only takes up to 15 minutes to implant, does not require any cutting and is a completely reversible procedure. Known as Pro-Vas, it is the very first male contraceptive procedure widely available. It calls for implanting a very small titanium spring clip in the vas deferens to stop the flow of sperm to the prostate, where it will mix with the semen. While sperm will still be produced in the testicles, it will not make its way through the vas deferens. Rather, the sperm ends up absorbed throughout the body.


There are a number of significant benefits associated with Pro-Vas aside from being a very reliable form of birth control without the associated pain and irreversibility of a traditional vasectomy. There is little to no post-procedural pain associated with Pro-Vas and it is a much quicker procedure than a vasectomy. It is very non-invasive as there is no general anesthesia involved and men can leave same day. There are no associated complications like vasectomy and the recovery time is much quicker, allowing men to return to their normal everyday activities a lot quicker. Unlike a vasectomy, Pro-Vas can be reversible through a standard procedure known as a vasovasostomy.


Prior to electing to undergo the Pro-Vas procedure, men should first speak to their loved ones as it is a very important decision. If men no longer want to worry about unplanned pregnancies and want to stop dealing with temporary methods of birth control, the Pro-Vas procedure can be extremely beneficial. Pro-vas does not affect erections, sex drive, climax sensation, quality of sperm, the scrotum, or the testicles. Many men state that by undergoing the Pro-Vas procedure, they have been able to increase the spontaneity in their sexual relationship, something they were unable to do beforehand.


One thing that men need to keep in mind is that they will not be sterile as soon as the Pro-Vas procedure is done. Therefore, they will need to continue using an alternative type of birth control. Many doctors that perform this procedure say that men need to wait up to three months after the device is implanted as the body still needs to get rid of the sperm that is still in the system, namely the prostate. Many medical professionals will offer to do a sperm check at weeks six and twelve post procedure. These checks see if there is still any sperm left and if the device is working and will remain a viable form of contraceptive

 

What is HIFU?

General Prostate Cancer Info - Blog

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Through the evolution of modern medicine, medical physicians have now come up with a new prostate cancer treatment known in many circles as HIFU, which stands for high intensity focused ultrasound. This new technology assists men suffering from prostate cancer by getting rid of all cancer infected tissue in the prostate region using an advanced acoustic ablation method that utilizes the powers of an ultrasound. This technology locates the infected area with pinpoint accuracy. The infected area is targeted using sound waves allowing HIFU to elevate the tissue’s temperature, making the tissue breakdown and consequently eliminating the cancer.


Numerous physicians are now recommending HIFU to their prostate cancer patients due to the limited number of harmful side effects associated with the procedure. HIFU offers patients a procedure that is controlled and precise, thereby limiting side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, which are common with other treatments for prostate cancer. A prostate cancer patient only needs to devote up to three hours for this procedure and may leave mere hours after the procedure it done. They just have to wait for the anesthesia used to minimize discomfort to wear off. HIFU is non-ionizing and does not utilize radiation. Therefore, HIFU treatment can be used on a number of occasions without damaging healthy tissue. Due to this, physicians use HIFU when they do not see successful results using other prostate cancer treatments.


The Sonablate 500 is possibly the most well known HIFU therapy option utilized for the treatment of prostate cancer. It is currently used in a number of hospitals and clinics around the world. It is controlled through a computer and delivers the HIFU energy directed right at the infected area via a small rectal probe. Through this action, all tissue infected by cancer is eliminated. Through the use of integrated biplanar ultrasound imaging, relating planning and monitoring is offered throughout the duration of the treatment, as well as images both before and after of the entire infected region.


To understand how the HIFU system works, think about what happens when the sun’s rays are focused through a magnifying lens. HIFU offers the same type of precision focusing through the use of ultrasound energy. By focusing this ultrasound energy on the infected area, the temperature of that area is raised, killing the tissue. At the same time, unaffected areas remain unharmed and their temperature remains unchanged. Once the procedure is complete, the physician has the ability to monitor the location of the precise lesion. The HIFU system also helps the physician determine a course of action to treat and locate the infected areas. The high imaging resolution is just one of the many reasons why many physicians utilize HIFU and the Sonablate 500 in particular. It provides the opportunity to identify all vital structures located around the prostate, including the neurovascular bundles, seminal vesicles, and rectal wall, ensuring only the targets areas are treated, preventing unnecessary damage.


The requirement of the patient before the treatment can begin is to undergo two enemas before the treatment can commence. Patients also undergo light anesthesia to ensure the patient remains still during the procedure as even small movements can cause damage. The rectal probe uses ultrasound waves to also provide-time images to the physician of the complete area, offering immediate and detailed feedback. Once the procedure is complete, patients only need a few hours to recover and in just a few days, patients are able to go back to their life.

 
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