General Aspects of Leukemia

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Many people suffer from leukemia these days. A large number of cases of cancer are identified to

chronic leukemia,leukemia

Many people suffer from leukemia these days. A large number of cases of cancer are identified to be leukemia. Leukemia is a sort of cancer of the blood and marrow. The disease is characterized through the overproducing of immature blood cells (stem cells) that aren’t able to fully develop and to carry out the activities of normal blood cells.

According to their functions and structure, there are three different types of cells within the normal blood: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Through the process of hematopoiesis, these three types of blood cells are developed from a distinctive type of blood cell called stem cell. Stem cells divide and go through several stages of development to finally form a mature blood cell of a particular type, with a certain, distinctive function in the body. The process through which a stem cell morphs into a mature blood cell takes place within the bone marrow.

According to the speed of development and the persistence of the disorder, there are two types of leukemia: acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is known to develop very rapidly, while chronic leukemia is developed slowly. According to the types of blood cells affected by the disease, leukemia can either be lymphocytic or myelogenous.

Lymphocytic and myelogenous types of leukemia are developed from different types of cells: the lymphocytic type of leukemia develops from cells called lymphoblasts or lymphocytes in the spongious tissue of the bones, while the myelogenous type of leukemia (sometimes refered to as myeloid and myelocytic leukemia) develops from myeloid cells.

In the case of acute forms of leukemia, the abnormal cells come from early, immature cells. Such forms of the disorder have a very fast rate of development, due to the fact that normal stem cells tend to multiply frequently. Leukemia cells usually don’t divide faster and more frequently than normal stem cells, they simply don’t stop their process of division when they should. Sometimes the numbers of white blood cells are very high, while in other cases they can be normal or low.

Chronic leukemia, apart from its slow development, is different from acute leukemia by the level of maturation that the diseased cells are able to reach. Stem cells affected by chronic leukemia reach a higher level of maturation but they present abnormalities and they can’t act as healthy white blood cells do. Unlike acute leukemia, in the chronic form of the disease the unhealthy cells have much longer periods of life and they tend to accumulate in different parts of the body.

Leukemia affects people of all age groups. While children usually respond better to the treatment for leukemia and sometimes deal well with the disease, adults difficultly cope with this form of cancer.

Regardless of age and sex, many people are diagnosed with forms of leukemia. Children tend to respond better to some types of leukemia, while adults difficultly cope with the disease. The cases of acute leukemia exceed those of chronic leukemia by approximately 10 percent. Older adults seem to be affected the most by acute leukemia. Around two thirds of acute leukemia cases seem to occur after the age of 60.

How to Fight Prostate Cancer

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A brief overview of prostate cancer and thge effects of diet.

prostate cancer

Over the past few years Prostate Cancer has been targeted by health authorities as the largest hidden killer of men over 45 years of age. Although there have been advances in education and general public awareness, men are still demonstrating reluctance to acknowledge the need for vigilance in their everyday lives.

There are a number of ways that men can reassure themselves however.

Here is a list of facts and suggestions collated from a number of sources that you should know about.

One in every 6 men will suffer from prostate problems in their lives. So there is no need to feel isolated or a victim. Just take action and get to a doctor quickly at the first sign.
It is almost certain that quick action will lead to successful recovery. The sooner you visit your doctor and get referred to a Urologist the better your chances of successful treatment.

There is hope for the future. In 2002, scientists at Liverpool University in the UK isolated the gene that promotes the spread of prostate cancer. This information is still being explored to hopefully produce new drugs which will assist treatment of Prostate cancer outside of the normal Chemotherapy regimes currently in use.

Dietary habits are the common thread in most of the literature about prostate cancer.

?Dairy products should be eliminated and replaced by soya. Just a couple of glasses of soy milk a day can have dramatic effects.
?Lyocopene contained in tomatoes is another factor showing up in studies as an effective preventative element of a prostate cancer fighting diet. Eating one moderately sized tomato a day also provides approximately 4 mg of lycopene. Other tomato products, such as an 8-ounce portion of tomato juice or tomato paste may provide up to 25 mg of lycopene. See www.naturalhealthlive.com/Lycopene.html
?Other fruits and vegetables are also recommended, such as avocadoes, pumpkins, beans and carrots and green leafy vegetables like spinach.
?Garlic, which seems to pop up in every preventative healthy diet plan is also recommended as it contains allicin, which decreases the proliferation of cancer cells.
?Selenium which is found in garlic, tomatoes, and broccoli has also been shown to be effective.

Cut back on salt and seasonings as these have been linked to cancer.

Finally, green tea is a popular choice as a beverage so drink at least 6 cups a day.

All in all there are plenty of reasons to be positive about controlling the risk of contracting prostate Cancer. A healthy diet as outlined above, coupled with most others advocated by Dietician everywhere, will dramatically reduce your concerns and help you lead a normal healthy long life.

Possible Leukemia Causes and Risk Factors

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Leukemia is a disease that is considered to be life-threatening. It requires prompt intervention

leukemia symptoms, leukemia causes

Leukemia is a disease that is considered to be life-threatening. It requires prompt intervention when discovered, in order to maximize the chances of recovering through specific treatment and therapy. Leukemia is basically a type of cancer of the bone marrow and blood, caused by inappropriate cellular activity. The disease can be of different forms, according to the types of blood cells that cause its development. Also, if leukemia is developing rapidly, it is called acute leukemia, while if the disease is developing slowly, it is referred to as chronic leukemia.

The direct leukemia causes are still unknown. In present, medical science isn’t able to establish the specific leukemia causes. However, a strong connection between certain genetic factors and the development of the disease has been revealed. Leukemia occurs on the background of genetic failure that causes the excessive production of incomplete, partially matured blood cells. Also, leukemia has a hereditary character, allowing the transmission of genetic predispositions to disease from one generation to another. Although many factors are known to contribute to the development of leukemia, they alone can’t be considered leukemia causes.

Despite the fact that statistics indicate a higher incidence of the disease in people that are exposed to some environmental factors of risk, leukemia doesn’t seem to be caused by neither of them in particular. Among the environmental factors that are thought to be leukemia causes, here are some of the most plausible ones:

– Smoking ?smoking is thought to increase the chances of being affected by leukemia. Although statistics show that around 20 percent of acute leukemia cases are related to smoking, leukemia also occurs to people that don’t smoke and therefore it can’t be considered a leukemia cause on itself;

– Prolonged exposure to radiation ?Radiation is considered to facilitate the development of leukemia. It is believed that exposure to X-rays can be a leukemia cause;

– Prolonged exposure to benzene ?statistics reveal that this is a major factor of risk in some forms of leukemia, such as myelogenous leukemia;

– Chemotherapy and cancer treatment ?previous cancer treatments and chemotherapy are known to facilitate the occurrence and development of leukemia and can be considered plausible leukemia causes. Within a few years from the completion of chemotherapy and other treatments for certain forms of cancer, most people can develop leukemia.

Among the genetic factors that are considered to be leukemia causes, the following ones are thought to be the most important:

– chromosome abnormalities ?some rare genetic syndromes are known to contribute to leukemia causes;

– Immune system genetic problems – a weak immune system is very likely to facilitate the occurrence of leukemia and therefore can be considered a leukemia cause;

– Down syndrome ?children born with this syndrome have a very high risk of developing acute leukemia.

The list of possible leukemia causes can continue further, but these are the most common factors that are considered to be interrelated with leukemia. While some of them can be prevented, others reside within the genes and in present can’t be corrected. In future, however, thanks to medical advance, we will probably be able to prevent leukemia and other forms of cancer.

Using Folic Acid as a Supplement

As vitamins and supplements go, folic acid is a B vitamin that is known mainly for its ability to fight cardiovascular disease. Folic acid is found naturally in green leafy vegetables and legumes, but if you don’t eat enough of these, it’s a good idea to take folic acid as a supplement. If you don’t get enough folic acid in your diet, you may be unnecessarily risking the possibility of heart problems and other serious illnesses. Studies have proven that the right amount of folic acid in your blood stream can go a long way towards fighting cardiovascular disease, specifically the blocked arteries caused by having high levels of homocysteine in your blood stream.

If you never heard of homocysteine, you are not alone. This is a fairly newly discovered danger to the arteries in the head and neck, and is partially responsible for the blockage of these arteries. Homocysteine is a type of amino acid in the blood, which becomes oxidized and releases an excess of the vicious free radical called superoxide. Homocysteine is similar to cholesterol in the way that it begins to block blood vessels, which can trigger a heart attack or stroke. This danger can affect some 30 to 40% of older adults in the United States.

The good news is that deficiencies in folic acid are easy to fix. Just taking a folic acid supplement of 400 to 1,000 micrograms a day can help save someone with low folic acid levels form a heart attack. The right amount of folic acid can be found in an over-the-counter multivitamin. Along with vitamins B12 and B6, you have the perfect formula to help prevent heart attacks.

Folic acid supplements can also help block and reverse cancer, even after premalignant cells are found. This is because the levels of folic acid may not be uniform throughout the body. So, targeted cells for cancer can actually be deficient in folic acid. Studies on cervical cancer have shown that women with lower folic acid levels in the blood cells around the cervix were five times more likely to develop pre-cancerous cells in the cervix area. By taking folic acid supplements and raising the level of folic acid in the entire body, the spread of cancer to healthy cells in unprotected areas of the body may be blocked.

Folic acid supplements can also help preserve normal brain function as you grow older. Regularly taken folic acid supplements can help prevent memory loss, depression, and dementia, which are much more common in older people who have low levels of folic acid. For younger people, folic acid seems to improve memory, concentration, and emotional stability. All of this can be accomplished with moderate doses of folic acid supplements.

Folic acid is available in foods like dried beans, spinach, collard greens, and citrus fruits. However, your body only generally absorbs about fifty percent of the folic acid in food. Foods rich in folic acid are still good for you, but if you want all of the benefits of folic acid, it is still wise to take a folic acid supplement. This is especially true if you want the added benefits of preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, or other more serious illnesses.

Remember the power of folic acid becomes even more powerful when combined with vitamin B12 and B6. The recommended dose of all three is available in a standard multivitamin, available at pharmacy or grocery store.

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Knowing Your Cancer Risk

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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men after skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Knowing Your Cancer Risk

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men after skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

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.

How to get Information on Vitamins and Supplements

If you are curious about the benefits of vitamins and supplements but have never tried them, it may be difficult to know where to start. The first place that many people go when they want to buy vitamins and supplements is their local pharmacy. Here, you can find the regular assortment of vitamins, minerals and supplements that will help the regular consumer find what they are looking for. However, even the aisle at the drug store is getting larger and larger as many more people turn to vitamins and supplements for help instead of traditional medicine.

Now, where there used to be a few shelves of multivitamins and some vitamin C, there are hundreds of different products. The average shopper might not know what half of these items are, and when confronted with labels of different products that claim the same benefits, might just walk away. It’s even more confusing to go to the health food store where you can literally find thousands of products to choose from.

So where do you start looking for information on all of these different vitamins and supplements? The answer can get complicated if you don’t know exactly what you are looking for. This is why it is important to sit down and think about what you expect to get out of a vitamin or a supplement. These days, vitamins can prevent or alleviate almost anything, so choosing a remedy may take a little more time than you might think.

If you have a specific illness, you can start to get information by looking up that illness on the internet. Look for websites that offer alternative cures or holistic approaches. These are the sites that will have lists of vitamins and supplements and explanations as to how each one can help you with your problem. They may also recommend different doses or brands and also different forms that the vitamins and supplements come in. Then it’s easy to find what you want at the health food store.

Don’t rely too much on the expertise of the person behind the counter at a supplements store. They probably work for minimum wage and probably know more about running the cash register than vitamins. There are, however, vitamin and supplement books in every health food store. Pick the one that is right for you and start reading.

Another good source to find out about the newest vitamins and supplements are health magazines. These magazines are sold everywhere. There are different magazines for men and women and also for different age groups. If you are looking for vitamins and supplements as an athlete, find a magazine that caters to your sport. All sports magazines have specific vitamin and supplement sections and advertising, so you can find the latest advances for supplements to make you faster and stronger.

If you work out at a gym, any fitness trainer will be able to tell you almost anything that you need to know about vitamins and supplements. It’s even pays to book off an hour of time with them to go over all the vitamins and supplements that will help you in your particular situation. Paying for an hour of their time is worth it if you can go into the supplements store and leave with the right product, as opposed to paying for a lot of stuff that isn’t going to work. This is because a personal trainer can tell you what to avoid when it comes overpriced vitamins and supplements.

The most important thing to remember, though, is to never believe the advertising that you see in the magazines, television, or the labels on the products in the store. These are the most misleading pieces of information you can get when it comes to information about vitamins and supplements. To read some of the claims that vitamin companies make, you’d think they were selling a miracle in a bottle. Don’t be fooled. Vitamins and supplements are incredible healing substances; but wild claims, a higher price, and fancy packaging doesn’t make them any better than anything else on the shelf. New information about vitamins comes out every day, so the best thing to do to keep current with information is to keep searching.

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Which is the best skin care product?

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Which is the best skin care product?

There is really nothing like a best skin care product. There really can’t be anything like ‘The best skin care product? because skin care products work differently for different people (based on the skin type to some extent). A product that is the ‘best skin care product?for one person might end up being the worst for another person. So, a more logical question to ask would be ‘What is the best skin care product for my type of skin?? However, this still is not completely logical. We tend to segregate people into 4 groups based on their skin types ?i.e. dry skin, oily skin, normal skin and sensitive skin. However, this classification is just too broad to be used definitively in determining the best skin care product. We can say ‘best skin care product for a dry skin?or ‘best skin care product for an oily skin?are better statements than just ‘best skin care product? But really, that is what it is ?’better? still not accurate.

So, it really comes to rephrasing the question to ?’What is the best skin care product for me? Yes, this is exactly the question that you should be asking, and unfortunately there is no easy answer for this. Arriving at the best skin care product for self will need some effort on your part.

First of all, you need to understand how the skin care products work. This is simple. You can consider all skin care products to be composed of 2 types of ingredients ?Active and inactive. The active ingredients are the ones that actually work on your skin. The inactive ones just help in delivering these active ingredients to your skin. Both the ingredients need to work for your skin, in order for the product to be effective (and move on to become the best skin care product for you).

Besides the ingredients, the way you apply your skin care products is equally important. In fact, this is even more important. If you do not know how to apply skin care products, you might forever be hunting for the best skin care product for yourself, when that has already passed you. Moreover, it’s also important to decide on the frequency of application (of the skin care product). The environmental factors – temperature, humidity and pollution level, also affect the selection of best skin care product. Here are a few rules that you could use to ensure that your best skin care product is really the best for you:
* Cleanse your skin before applying that best skin care product.
* Use a makeup remover instead of plain water and remove your makeup before going to bed.
* The effectiveness of active ingredients is reduced when applied over another product e.g. over moisturiser. So apply that best skin care product first and then apply a bit of moisturizer if needed.
* Apply the products on moist and warm skin.
* You will have to experiment with a few products before you arrive at the one that is the best skin care product for you.
* Do not exfoliate too much or too hard.
* Vary your skin care routine as per the seasons (winter/summer etc), changes in environmental factors and changes in your skin type

Note that the best skin care product cannot be determined overnight. It’s only through experiment (and awareness) that you can find the ‘Best skin care product?(for you).

Benefits of Stretching

The body is flexible. It is supposed to be flexible. You must be able to bend and reach that something you dropped on the floor. You must be able to zip the back of your favorite dress on your own. You must be able to reach that book you need to read at the top shelf.

These are simple activities. Nothing grand about them, you merely stretched out a bit. However, if there are difficulties in doing such simple motions, then you have to stretch your limits. You already need a stretching program.

What Is Stretching?

Stretching is simply the act of extending to full length the body or simply a part of it. This activity involves straightening or stretching the structure or the limbs.

How Does One Do the Stretching?

Stretching is fairly easy. As mentioned in the introduction, it is involved in the normal activities. It can be done by any people, regardless of age.

However the extent of stretching and flexing differs. The muscles tighten as a person ages. The range of joint movements can be minimized. This can very well obstruct an on-the-go lifestyle. That is why as the person grows older, bending or flexing becomes more limited. This is why stretching regularly, as part of a routine is very important.

Simple stretches can be done everyday. It can be incorporated in the lifestyle and the daily activities. It does not require much of your time.

Stretching exercises can also be done while training. Actually, stretching is an essential part of any training or sport. It must be done first before anything else. Stretching the body and the limbs is a good preparation for a more rigorous activity.

Most athletes would do the sit and reach, wherein they position on the floor, extend their legs and reach the tip of their foot with the tip of their hand. Actually, most trainers actually require their athletes to really do the stretching before playing.

There is actually an ideal length of time in stretching. It is best to do it in 10 minutes. This will give the body enough opportunity to move and flex the muscles, thus preparing it for more complicated and strenuous movements.

Experts however would frown upon going way beyond 10 minutes. Stretching the exercise to 30 minutes or more will already wear out the body. This will not be favorable if one is preparing for a game.

What Are the Benefits of Stretching?

1. Increase the Range of Movement
As one constantly do the stretching exercises, the length of the muscles and the tendons are also increased. This will help in increasing the range of your movement. Thus, the limbs and joints will be able to move, way before an injury can take place. You are definitely physically fit.

2. Increased Ability to Perform Skills
When you have a wide range of movement, the more you will be able to do more things. For example, you can jump high without feeling any pain when you land back on the floor. This will also help you start a new sport or improve more if you are in one. Stretching in this aspect also allows you to have a more active lifestyle.

3. Injury Prevention
One can prevent injury to joints, tendons and muscles with stretching. When the muscles and tendons are well-flexed, they are considered in good working order. This will help in a faster recovery and decreased soreness. The muscles of the body will be able to take more exhausting and rigorous movements with less probability of being injured.

4. Reduce Muscle Tension
If the muscles are given their regular exercises and stretching, it is less likely that they will contract. This will definitely relieve you of any muscle pain or problems.

5. Enhance Energy
Being able to move more will also give you more energy. Stretching will also help enhance your awareness, like knowing that you have a body that is capable of doing many things. As such, you are going to be more driven to move rather than sulk in the corner.

6. Reduces Cholesterol
Research also shows that doing prolonged stretching exercises, like yoga, will help reduce the cholesterol in the body. This of course must be done with a healthy diet at hand. This could prevent and even reverse the hardening of the arteries, allowing you to avoid coronary diseases.

Incorporate stretching in your everyday lifestyle. It has benefits you can not say no to. It also does not require much. It can be your usual activities, bending and flexing every now and then. After all, your fitness is everything so do what it takes to keep the body healthy.

Natural Healing Method Using Alternative Herbal Medicine

Medical practitioners of the Orient are know to incorporate natural healing methods with alternative herbal medicines. Instead of undergoing expensive medical treatment using synthetic and modern technologies, many find the natural method along with alternative herbal medicine a cost-effective solution to achieve the perfect health.

The belief of natural healing involves the use of 100% natural techniques and ingredients to promote better health. Synthetic medicines and modern medical technology are known to have side-effects that may prove to be fatal if not properly administered or performed.

The Benefits Of The Natural Healing Method

The natural healing method delves into the capability of the human body to adapt and recover without any outside help. Our bodies are equipped with its own defense mechanism towards illnesses and diseases. The method aims to strengthen this ability to boost the immune system to fight off health-related problems without any side-effects or complications.

Natural healing doesn’t only deal with physical health problems. In fact, it has been documented and proven that this method can also be used for mental and emotional ailments. Certain herbal compounds are known to induce relaxation to help a person deal with stress without having to take in synthetic products that can cause side-effects to crop up during use.

Certain plant extracts and aroma can directly affect the mind when inhaled and is most often used on patients suffering from behavioral problems. There are also some plants that can help the body relax when applied directly on the skin — like peppermint extract that can relax tight muscles that is usually attributed to stress. Natural healing method with herbal medicines can also help in weight loss programs for a slimmer and healthier body.

Acupuncture

The art of acupuncture originated from the Chinese. It delves into the energy pathways in the human body called meridians. The oriental health experts believe that ailments and diseases are caused by blocked meridians that disrupt the flow of positive healing energy from circulating throughout the body.

Needles charged with positive energy are inserted into these meridian points to clear up the blockage, as well as to stimulate the flow of healthy energy deep within the body. Certain herbal medicines and concoctions are administered to their patients to increase the volume of healing energy for a full-body recovery.

Reiki and Qi Gong

Reiki and Qi Gong involve the healing of an individual using the positive energies of both the practitioner and those that stem from the universe. The practitioner of the art inscribes symbols upon the afflicted area on the human body and directs their energies into it for healing. Herbal medicines are given to their patients to amplify these positive energies for the treatment to yield beneficial results.

Proper Use Of Herbal Medicines

Despite the safe and beneficial results of using natural healing methods with alternative herbal medicine, there is a possibility that some adverse reactions might take place that might become a problem when left unchecked.

Despite the natural ingredients used in herbal products, we can never deny the fact that our body’s chemistry might react to it. There are even some natural healing methods that might cause problems instead of getting rid of it.

Such is the case; it is very important to consult an expert first before undertaking this solution. Have a full body check-up with your doctor and subject yourself to a complete laboratory exam to determine whether your body can use the treatment method safely or not.

Team Approach Urged in Prostate Cancer Treatment

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An estimated 230,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005 – enough to fill a baseball stadium four or five times. But research shows that a partner’s involvement in health care decisions is positively associated with better outcomes for prostate cancer patients.

Team Approach Urged in Prostate Cancer Treatment

An estimated 230,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005 – enough to fill a baseball stadium four or five times. But research shows that a partner’s involvement in health care decisions is positively associated with better outcomes for prostate cancer patients.

Ali Torre, wife of legendary baseball manager and prostate cancer survivor Joe Torre, knows firsthand the important role that family members play in helping a person with prostate cancer make treatment decisions.

“I learned through my husband’s experience with prostate cancer that assembling a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists, including a urologist, a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist, is the best way to ensure that all treatment options are fully explored.”

Torre is partnering with the Prostate Cancer Foundation on a new program called Women Join the TEAM Approach: Prostate Cancer Treatment, Education, Awareness and Management. The campaign urges partners and caregivers of men with prostate cancer to become active in their loved ones’ treatment decisions.

In particular, the program encourages men with prostate cancer to seek the advice of an integrated team of health care specialists to best determine a course of action for the disease. A TEAM Approach has become standard in treating other cancers, such as breast, colon and lung cancer, but this is currently not the case in prostate cancer.

The combined expertise of various prostate cancer specialists can help men explore all available treatment options to decide upon the best course of treatment.

Research has also shown that partners may enhance the quality of decision-making by gathering information, helping the patient to ask questions, or helping advise them about treatment decisions.

Torre’s goal is to help partners and caregivers learn from her experiences in supporting loved ones with prostate cancer. Through not only her husband’s, but also her father’s prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, Torre became acutely aware of the vital role she played in their health care decisions.

“Prostate cancer treatment has lagged behind other cancers where multidisciplinary teams of physicians collectively guide treatment,” said Dr. James McKiernan, Assistant Professor of Urology at Columbia University Medical Center and Attending Physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia and a spokesman for the Women Join the TEAM Approach program.

“We need to do a better job of educating men with prostate cancer not to wait until their disease has progressed to a late stage to seek the advice of a medical oncologist, and of changing our approach in the management of prostate cancer by combining the specialists early on to benefit the patient.”