Muchos hombres que luchan contra el cáncer desean tener hijos algún día. A pesar de que algunos tratamientos contra el cáncer pueden afectar su fertilidad – la capacidad de embarazar a una mujer–, hay buenas opciones para proteger la capacidad del hombre de tener familia. SaveMyFertility.org, una nueva guía nacional para pacientes de cáncer y sus médicos, explica las formas en que el tratamiento para el cáncer puede afectar la fertilidad y destaca opciones para conservarla en hombres, mujeres y niños.
Conozca sus opciones con respecto al cáncer y la fertilidad masculina
Cancer and Male Fertility: Know Your Options
Many men facing cancer want to have children in the future. While a man’s fertility — the ability to get a woman pregnant — can be damaged by some cancer treatments, there are good options available to protect a man’s ability to have a family. SaveMyFertility.org, a new national resource for cancer patients and their physicians, explains how cancer treatment can affect fertility while also outlining fertility-preservation options for men, women and children.
Men: Heed Warning Signs of Heart Attack
It’s well known that more men have heart attacks than women, but many men ignore their cardiac health or don’t recognize warning signs. To further complicate matters, cardiologists can’t diagnose heart disease until the condition is advanced enough to cause high cholesterol or a blockage – problems that increase the risk of heart attack.
Most heart disease is coronary heart disease, in which arterial plaque build-up narrows blood vessels, lessening the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches the heart. While most men don’t have heart attacks until later in life – the average man gets his first heart attack at age 65 – plaque has been found in the hearts of 20-year-olds. That means that arterial plaque can build up for decades before men develop major problems.
What Does Erectile Dysfunction Mean for Your Health?
The topic of erectile dysfunction (ED) is still one that leaves most men searching for the door. Even in the privacy of a doctor’s office, many men in the U.S. are afraid of what that diagnosis might mean for them. Despite these natural fears, it is very important for men and their partners to take erectile dysfunction seriously and to get help.
Study Links ED to Heart Attack
 NewsUSA) – A new study suggests that men experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) need to worry about more than their sex life — in men with cardiovascular disease, ED can indicate a greater risk of heart attack.
The study of 1,500 men, which was published in “Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association,” found that men with both ED and cardiovascular disease were twice as likely to have a heart attack than men with cardiovascular disease, but no ED. And the worse the ED, the greater the risk. This research only confirms what doctors have known for years — men need to take ED seriously. The male organ serves as the barometer of a man’s overall health, with dysfunction often acting as a precursor for other existing or potential health issues. Studies have established that men with ED are more likely to develop heart problems like heart attack, cardiac death, stroke and angina, or chest pain. ED can also be an early sign of diabetes, high cholesterol levels and other physical ailments. Even mild symptoms of ED can mean that there are issues in other parts of a man’s body. Before addressing ED, men should make sure that they are otherwise healthy. Doctors who specifically deal with sexual dysfunction issues, such as physicians with Boston Medical Group (www.bostonmedicalgroup.com), can identify underlying issues that may be causing ED. Treatment is available even for men with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer and kidney or liver problems, who often have trouble taking oral medications for ED, due to potentially serious systemic side effects. Intracavernous pharmocotherapy (ICP) — a small and minimally invasive injection of a combination of FDA-approved medications — may be a better option. Other alternatives include intraurethral suppository and vacuum suction devices. Sex is an important part of physical, psychological and emotional health. Men experiencing ED should ask their doctor about treatment options — but only after looking for underlying health issues that may be causing the problem. |
Tips to Keep Your Computer Running Smoothly
(NewsUSA) – Buying a new computer’s always a thrill — but sooner or later, your fast new machine will start to act like a clunker. Or will it?
With a few simple tips, you can keep your computer running smoothly. Sammsoft (www.sammsoft.com), a company that develops and publishes quality software products designed to secure, protect, maintain and enhance computer users’ experience, provides the following tips:
1. Clean out your computer registry. Every Windows Operating System uses a registry, or a central database that contains all of the settings for low-level operating system components, as well as any applications running on the platform. Every time you save something, run a new application or install or uninstall a program, new information is organized into your registry. But occasionally, the registry records something incorrectly. Over time, registry errors pile up and can start slowing down your computer. But running a registry cleaner, such as Advanced Registry Optimizer 2010 by Sammsoft, will fix registry errors and remove faulty files, helping your computer run quickly and smoothly.
2. Keep viruses under wraps. Run a virus checker regularly. If you have a high-speed wireless connection, don’t use the Internet without a firewall. No antivirus strategy is perfect, so stay away from suspicious-looking Web sites and don’t click on strange links in e-mails.
3. Get rid of unnecessary files. If you haven’t used a program in months or years, delete it to reclaim valuable memory. But always back-up applications in case you want to reinstall them later, and don’t delete applications that you don’t recognize, as Windows might need them to run. Never remove WINDOWS or HOT FIX applications. Also delete cookies and clear your Internet cache before you sign-off your computer.
4. Never turn off your computer before Windows has shut down. Doing so so could harm the hard drive or result in lost data or Windows files.
5. Back up Your Computer. Hardware problems occur more that you might think, and you don’t want to deal with the frustration of losing valuable data. Back up photos, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents — anything that you do not want to lose — on external hard drives or CDs.
For more information, visit www.sammsoft.com.
Dads, WIN Back Your Health for Father’s Day
 NewsUSA) – Grandmothers might say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but many American dads should be paying attention to another old saying — the one about eating an apple a day. The experts at the Weight-control Information Network (WIN) want to make sure every dad is feeling jubilant and healthy this Father’s Day and for many more to follow.
So, what can dad do to stay healthy? Getting active can help men maintain a healthy weight. Couch potatoes should start with a level of activity that feels doable and then gradually increase frequency, duration and intensity of their workouts. For example, a person could start out walking 10 minutes a day the first week, then move up to 15 minutes the next week, until he meets his goal. Moderate-intensity activities include brisk walking, weight training and swimming for fun. Chores, walking up stairs and playing with the kids count as healthy physical activities, too. Of course, even with exercise, men need to watch what they eat. A healthy diet includes whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats and seafood, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. And even healthy foods need to be eaten in sensible amounts. Consider the following information about portion sizes from WIN: - Cereal. One cup, or the size of a fist. - Fruit. One medium fruit equals a baseball in size. One-half cup of fresh fruit looks like half a baseball. - Ice cream. Aim for half a cup, about the size of half of a baseball. - Lean meats and seafood. Three ounces of lean meat are about the size of a deck of cards - Low-fat or fat-free cheese. Picture four stacked dice -; that’s about the size of one and a half ounces cheese. - Rice, pasta or potatoes. One-half cup, about the size of half a baseball. Men whose waists measure more than 40 inches face an increased risk of serious health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, coronary heart disease and some types of cancer. Men are more likely than women to carry extra weight around their stomach, where it may cause more problems than fat located elsewhere in the body. For more information, see the WIN brochure “Getting on Track.” For a free copy, visit www.win.niddk.nih.gov or call 1-877-946-4627. |
New Treatments Help Cancer Patients
 NewsUSA) – Men facing a diagnosis of prostate cancer have more treatment options than ever before, according to the American Society for Radiation Oncology.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society reports that, in 2008, one-quarter of all cancer diagnosed in men was prostate cancer. But dramatic advances in treatments are allowing more men to beat the disease. Nearly 99 percent of men with prostate cancer now live five years or more after diagnosis. Since there are several options, it’s important to discuss all the treatment methods with a radiation oncologist, a physician who specializes in treating diseases with radiation therapy, and a urologist, a surgeon who specializes in the urinary tract. They’ll help you decide which treatment plan is best for you. Possibilities include surgery, external beam radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy or prostate brachytherapy. Sometimes, a combination of treatments proves to be the best way to fight prostate cancer. For instance, some men choose surgery followed by external beam radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy. External beam radiation therapy involves a series of daily treatments that accurately deliver radiation to the prostate. This method often succeeds in treating cancer. Types of external beam radiation therapy include three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy. Brachytherapy involves treating the cancer by inserting radioactive sources into the gland itself. Seed implants are given by inserting small metal seeds of radioactive iodine or palladium directly into the prostate while the patient is under anesthesia. In discussing treatment plans with your cancer specialists, be sure to keep your lifestyle in mind. Remember, every man’s cancer and lifestyle are unique. Discussions with several specialists can help you decide on the most effective and suitable treatment for your lifestyle and condition. The American Society for Radiation Oncology has a brochure to help men and their families better understand their treatment options. Visit www.rtanswers.org or call 1-800-962-7876 for a free copy. |
Proton Therapy: A Success Story Made Known on the Today Show
 NewsUSA) – Proton therapy, a radiation therapy that is growing in popularity among cancer patients, promises astounding results. Thanks to NBC correspondent George Lewis’ “prostate diary” report on The Today Show, Americans now know more about the advantages of proton therapy.
“I went on a radiation vacation,” stated NBC’s Lewis.” If you’re a guy worried about your male components, limiting collateral damage is an important consideration and a major selling point for the advocates of proton therapy.” Dr. Jerry Slater, head of radiation medicine at Loma Linda University in Southern California, is fond of putting it this way: “Unlike conventional radiation, proton radiation has a well-defined high dose area which can be manipulated to precisely surround an irregularly shaped target.” The result? Protons destroy cancerous cells without damaging healthy cells. Prostate cancer patients like Lewis, who did his homework, decided proton treatment at Loma Linda was his best option to avoid the side effects he was concerned about. Another good example is children with cancer, who frequently experience devastating side effects from conventional radiation, such as growth inhabitation, can develop normally after receiving proton therapy treatment. It’s no wonder the nation’s five proton centers cannot keep up with patient demand. As Lewis reported, some patients with limited health care coverage, or patients from abroad, have been willing to personally supplement reimbursement to gain the advantages of proton therapy. Medicare and most private health insurers cover the costs of proton therapy procedures. A vast majority of cancer patients agree on one thing -; technologies that promote faster healing with fewer side effects prove priceless. From a physician’s perspective, the aim is to “do no harm” -; however, radiation therapists know that traditional radiation can destroy healthy cells and tissue. In most cases, radiation oncologists cannot deliver enough radiation to destroy tumors without compromising patient health. In contrast, proton therapy can help patients not only survive cancer, but offer hope for a cure in addition to returning to a normal life afterwards. Lewis said he sailed through nine weeks of proton therapy. “Today, I feel great, and my 40 inch waistline is shrinking as I work on eating less and exercising more.” For more information, call 800-protons (776-8667) or visit www.proton-therapy.org or www.protons.com. |
Know the Facts About Colon Cancer – It Could Save Your Life
 NewsUSA) – Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United Sates, yet it is a preventable and treatable disease if diagnosed in its early stages.
As a cancer that almost always develops from abnormal growths, called polyps, in the colon or rectum, screening through a method known as a colonoscopy saves lives by detecting and removing the polyps before they become cancerous. In celebration of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is dispelling the myths so you have the facts about colon cancer. Myth: Colon cancer only affects men. According to Dr. Grace Elta, president of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, colon cancer affects both men and women. More than 26,000 women die every year from colon cancer. A more reliable indicator is actually age. In fact, your age is the single most important risk factor. As a result, both men and women should undergo testing for the disease starting at age 50. For individuals 65 and older, Medicare will cover the cost of colonoscopy screening. Still not convinced? A 2007 study showed a 5 percent drop in colon cancer deaths per year, and prevention was among the key factors credited for the decline. So, talk to your doctor about your screening options. Myth: You don’t need to be screened for colon cancer if you feel fine. Usually there are no symptoms to rely on. When there are symptoms, the cancer may be at an advanced stage. When colon cancer is caught early, most people can be cured. If, however, warning signs are present, they may include: blood in stools, a change in the pattern or frequency of bowel movements, abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss. While these symptoms may be caused by other benign conditions, you should consult your doctor. Myth: You don’t need to get screened if there is no family history of colon cancer. Most people with colon cancer do not have a family member with the disease. In fact, only 10 to 20 percent of people who have colon cancer have a family member who has also had it. To learn more about the disease or to find a qualified physician in your area, visit www.screen4coloncancer.org. |
