Support Groups that Can Be Helpful In Dealing with Prostate Cancer

Support groups are one of the most helpful and complementary methods of assisting patients and their families to face issues and overcome difficulties. When a patient and the patient’s family start to feel overwhelmed by the conditions of the prostate cancer, they often turn to a support group for help and advice. In addition, support groups provide outstanding opportunities to gain knowledge not only about the personal that challenges patients and their families face, but also about the different types of treatments for prostate cancer and their side effects. Many doctors recommend support groups because they realize that when a patient and his family are undergoing extreme distress from the conditions related to prostate cancer, they often find relief from other individuals who have or are currently experiencing similar experiences—support group members are in a unique position to provide effective support to other members of the support group.

Many doctors and facilitators of support groups call this process of patients and the patients’ families helping each other as the “same boat” syndrome. When patients and their families attend support groups they are able to verbalize their feelings and receive empathy from others who truly understand their situations. Even though their main objective is to find strength and hope, patients and their families also often gain information about the disease of prostate cancer and the treatment as well as information about available resources inside and outside of the medical field.

There are also support groups that are designed specifically for men with prostate cancer that assist in providing information to patients regarding the disease process, treatment options, side effects of treatment, and self-care strategies. Most importantly, support groups provide a safe haven for men with prostate cancer to verbalize their feelings about issues such as impaired body image, sexual inadequacy, and issues centered on depression, anxiety, and fears of recurrence and death. Support groups guide patients in problem solving, decision-making, instillation of hope, and verbalization of intimate feelings and emotions.

One of the best ways for patients and their families to find a prostate cancer support group is to contact your local hospital that often provide meetings on a regular basis—weekly, bimonthly, or monthly. Your medical team may also be able to direct you to a group near you. Us TOO, an advocacy organization that maintains a great online information center from prostate cancer patients, has a database of hundreds of prostate cancer patient support groups across the nation. Often there is a facilitator or a trained therapist at these prostate cancer support groups who has a medical background and can help answer questions about any number of concerns: nutrition, treatment of erectile dysfunction, treatment of urinary incontinence, and updates on newer forms of chemotherapy.

Help us find a cure for prostate cancer by donating your car or by donating your RV. Your support helps raise awareness for prostate cancer and the over 217,000 men diagnosed each year. Support us today!

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Stress and Prostate Cancer

One of the most well-known Buddhist teachings is this: Life is suffering. Birth, death, sorrow, pain, grief are all – according to Buddha – forms of great suffering, universal suffering. And how would our bodies interpret this so-called suffering? Well, they absorb it all as stress. Whether you agree with Buddha or not, there is no denying the fact that there is plenty of stress to go around in this modern age. Job stress, money stress, mortgage stress, and single-parent stress. Stress is bad for our health. It has been linked to many ailments including high blood pressure and heart disease. There is also evidence that stress can affect patients with prostate cancer.

The idea that stress and cancer are related can be traced back to 2005. Interviews conducted by the New York Times showed that several patients wholeheartedly believed that their cancers were caused by stress. The running theory was that stress wears on the immune system, breaking it down and allowing illnesses to take over; could it also cause the body to allow a tumor to grow? The patients who were interviewed by the Times said they got cancer during periods of great stress – going through a divorce or losing a job. But they also believed this factor, were it true, would take a greater toll on men, as they tend not to deal with stress very well at all. They often see it as a sign of weakness and suppress it, whereas women are generally more apt to share what is bothering them.

In fact, recent research has shown that patients with prostate cancer have higher levels of anxiety than patients with any other type of cancer. Furthermore, research performed by the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, indicates that the anxiety is more than a side effect; it is also capable of reducing the effectiveness of drugs used to treat the disease and in some instances even accelerate its development. The study was also performed on mice and produced the same results.

This is a very recent breakthrough, however, and it will need time to be more heavily substantiated. But the fact is that no one likes stress. We don’t like it and our bodies don’t like it. And most things we stress about in life are things we cannot change. When you can, consciously let that stress dissolve through some means such as exercise, yoga, travel, or disowning the cause of your stress with a trusted friend. While life may be hard sometimes, it is also very, very good.

Donate you car to CarsForProstateCancer so we can help families dealing with prostate cancer and raise awareness for a disease that affects over 217,000 men every year.

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Prostate Cancer and Obesity

Get Slimmer and Fend off those Prostate Caner Demons. The value of exercise to mental health as well as physical has been documented in study after study.  For one thing, those endorphin hormones just make you feel better, and exercise can prove that your body is under your control. When it comes to prostate cancer, there is clearly one thing you can do to benefit the health of your prostate and every other part of your body: lose weight if you are overweight.

Obese men have a far higher chance of developing fatal and metastatic prostate cancer compared to men of normal weight. Some past studies have shown that while obese men were no more likely to get prostrate cancer than men of normal weight, the obese were more likely to die from prostate cancer if they developed the cancer.

In fact, a new April 23, 2013 study linking obesity to prostate cancer (and other cancers) was published by Dr. Andrew Rundle, associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Rundle notes that one of the conclusive findings in the study is that precancerous abnormalities associated with “cancer of the prostate—the gland that releases the male hormone testosterone into the body—and is the leading diagnosed cancer in men and the second leading cancer killer of men behind lung cancer….were significantly associated with obesity.”

Yet getting slimmer and healthier to prevent prostate cancer doesn’t mean less yummy. Research has shown that lycopene, a naturally occurring substance found in tomato sauce, watermelon, and papaya, seems to lower the risk of developing prostate cancer. Though not every study has confirmed this relationship, there is enough to give you an excuse to layer the marinara sauce on your wholegrain pasta. You may even want to wash down this Italian extravaganza with some green tea as there are some European studies about its benefits in the prevention of prostrate cancer. In addition, the next morning, you could easily sprinkle some flaxseed on your morning cereal accompanied by a glass of pomegranate juice—all of which make for prostate-healthy additions to your diet while helping you get slim and stay slim as a means of keeping those prostate demons away.

You can help us with prostate cancer awareness by donating your car, motorcycle, or RV.

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Private Donations For Prostate Cancer

Private donations play a significant role in the road to raise research and awareness for prostate cancer. CarsForProstateCancer.org has helped lead the way in providing much needed funding for prostate cancer with your car donations. With 29,000 deaths annually because of prostate cancer, funding is needed to raise awareness. We value the funds donated to us, and 93% of the funds we receive go directly to prostate cancer awareness programs.

It is important for donors to understand that government funding alone is not sufficient to fund the research necessary for prostate cancer and that, in fact, government funding is proportionately lower for prostate cancer than it is for some other cancers.  For example, although prostate cancer occurs more frequently (217,000 cases in 2010) than breast cancer (which had 210,000 cases in 2010), government funding of prostate cancer ($390 million in 2010) is much lower than government funding of breast cancer ($872 million in 2010), due in part to greater public awareness levels for breast cancer.  Therefore, the private donations received for prostate cancer go a long way towards CarsForProstateCancers.org’s ultimate goal: to raise awareness for prostate cancer.

Luckily, we are in a time where donating your car is a simple three step process. Start by contacting us by phone (888-885-6710) or by visiting our website, then schedule a time for pickup.  After we sell your car, simply deduct the sale price from your taxes. Our organization will benefit from your car donation and you will benefit from the tax write-off.

Do you think your car is of no value? Contact us and with our material improvement program and we will fix your car and sell it at the highest value. Not only do we receive more money that goes towards prostate cancer awareness, but you will also increase the tax deduction you receive for your car. Every dollar counts and we make sure any donation we accept will go towards prostate cancer awareness.

We appreciate every donation that we receive. We need people like you to donate your car for prostate cancer research to help us fulfill our mission of helping raise prostate cancer awareness.

You can help us by donating your car, motorcycle, or RV.

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Why You Should Donate A Car In Ohio Or Washington

mini-IMG_2776When you have a junk car sitting on your property, it can be an eyesore. Not only that, but a junk car can be a good asset to many organizations. Whether your car runs or not, it might be time to start thinking about why you should donate a car in Ohio or donate a car in Washington.

One of the first reasons you should donate a car in Ohio or Washington is that you will not have it cluttering up your yard or garage anymore. Whether or not the car works, many organizations will take it off your hands so that you will not have to look at the eyesore any longer. This can free up space for you to park a working car, space to build a shed, or really just make the property more appealing.

Another reason to donate a car in Washington or Ohio is that the donation could go towards a good cause. Before you donate your car, research the different organizations that take car donations. Find one whose cause really resonates with you so that you will be able to feel good about the donation. Not only will this give you a good feeling, but the recipients of the donation will probably be extremely grateful to you for it.

If you have a car that is dysfunctional or even one that you simply do not use anymore, consider donating it to a good cause and discover the benefits that you will reap from it.

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Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

Cancer is a scary word to anyone.  However, there are different forms and rates of prevalence of each type of cancer.  While prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in existence today and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, it is also one of the easier cancers to treat.

There are many risk factors, especially when it comes to age. Prostate cancer very rarely occurs in men under 40, with the rate of prevalence rising rapidly by age 50.  This means screening regularly for prostate cancer after passing the age of 50 is recommended. 65% of all prostate cancer cases are for men over the age of 65, with an average age of diagnosis of 69 years old.

Race and ethnicity also plays a role. Prostate cancer is twice as likely to occur in African-Americans than Caucasians, with lower rates for Asian-American and Latino men when compared to Caucasians. Thus, members of the African-American race should monitor themselves and their loved ones for prostate cancer, and get regular screenings from their physicians.

Family history is also a risk factor, as prostate cancer appears to run in families, so that individuals with a father or brother who have prostate cancer also should be screened regularly, as they are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer. Additionally, if the diagnosis was from family members under the age of 55, then the risk is further increased.

Diet is a factor as well, as men who eat large quantities of red meat or high-fat dairy products do have a slightly higher chance of developing prostate cancer.  Eating vegetables like broccoli can help mitigate the risks of developing cancer. Though smoking has not been found to be a risk, if a smoker does develop prostate cancer, the form of cancer will be much more aggressive.

But all anyone has to do is stop smoking, and manage his or her diet along with regular physical activity in order to help with reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer.  Prostate cancer is manageable if one takes the time to eliminate the risk factors in their lives that raise the chance of prostate cancer.  The key is to take the bull by the horns, and empower yourself through information and preventative habits. Though not guaranteed to prevent prostate cancer, mitigating the risks can only help.

Help the 29,000 yearly victims of prostate cancer by donating your car, RV, or motorcycle.

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How Donating Your RV Can Help Yourself And Others

sm-photo-sbar-rvIf you have an RV that you don’t use, whether it doesn’t function or you just don’t have time for it, you might want to consider an RV donation. Although you may not realize it, there are some benefits that are in it for you, as well as for others. The following are three ways that RV donations can benefit you and others.

The first way that an RV donation can benefit you is that if it is not running or is in total disrepair, it could be creating an eyesore on your property. Most organizations who take used car donations do not care if the vehicle runs or not. When your RV is gone, it could increase the curb appeal of your home, the property value, and the space you have to do other things outdoors.

The second way that RV donations are a benefit to you or to others is that a huge majority of the value of your RV will be spent on a good cause. This benefits you by giving you peace of mind that your donation went to a good cause, and it benefits others because an organization could find cures for diseases and other important discoveries about their cause.

The third way that an RV donation can benefit you and others is that it is typically a quick and easy process. Many organizations who take vehicle donations are waiting to get their hands on your RV. This makes it easy for you and gives them something that they need as well.

The next time you look at your old RV, consider what good it could do to donate it and get the process started today.

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Prostate Cancer and How Families Can Help

Maybe you are reading this blog post today because, along with more than 200,000 American men this year, you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer—and you have concerns about your family because you have become a member of what many call the reluctant brotherhood—a club nobody wants to belong to. Or maybe you’re in the reluctant sisterhood, and you’re reading this blog post so you can help your husband, father, brother, son, or a friend. In any case, we’re glad you that you have found your way here, because we want you to know that the world of prostate cancer is full of hope. More men are being diagnosed earlier than ever before, and more families are finding ways to help the men in their lives as they are being treated or cured of this disease.

As a family member, you will be happy to know that there are many ways that you can help. First of all, it’s good to know that patient and family education are key components in the care of the prostate cancer patient. The positive outcomes of patient and family education increase self-care activities that help families improve their loved one’s care and treatment. Through education, you can help with the fears and misconceptions about treatment that you’ll need to address, and you can do this most efficiently by creating a family educational plan. When families and the prostate cancer patient get information about the disease and the treatment, it helps them increase their coping and gain a sense of control over a virtually uncontrollable situation.

It is also important for you to consider that your educational needs will change throughout the cancer journey and its different phases. For example, there are five different phases that you will come to understand: the diagnostic phase, treatment phase, rehabilitation and continuing care phase, cancer survivorship or remission phase, and the recurrence or advanced disease phase.

One of the most important prostate cancer phases is the cancer survivorship phase that begins at the time of diagnosis and continues throughout the treatment journey. Both the prostrate cancer patient and you will more than likely experience fear of cancer recurrence and wonder how you want to navigate through this challenging time in their life. Therefore, it is important to seek outside help and get information to learn how you will live with the limitations and the losses that occur when treatment is being administered. As a family member or a wife, you will want to help your loved one deal with any isolation they may be feeling or even what is commonly referred to as survivor guilt.

Thank goodness for people like you—you are the helpers and caring loved ones that the prostrate cancer patients cannot live without.

Donate your car today to CarsForProstateCancer.org so we can help families with prostate cancer.

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Early Detection Is Needed to Prevent Deaths from Prostate Cancer

There are many celebrities that have spread the word about prostate cancer and the most recent, Warren Buffet, stated in mid-2012 that he was diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer. It is important to be detected early, and with the help of a PSA test, Mr. Buffet’s Doctor was able to detect the cancer and believe it is not life threatening. Celebrities such as Mr. Buffet help bring awareness to the importance of getting tested, and this is our mission at CarsForProstateCancer.org. 

But it is still true that many men do not get tested, even though tests are key to early detection of prostate cancer. There are two main ways to get tested for prostate cancer:

  1. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test: PSA is a substance that is made by the cells (both cancerous and normal) in the prostate gland. Most men will have a PSA level of about 4. Test results higher than 4, indicate increasing likelihood of the presence of prostate cancer. An important note about the PSA test: Even if the test results are elevated, it does not necessarily mean that a person has cancer. An elevated level can also be associated with other conditions such as benign inflammation of the prostate. It is the change from the baseline value rather than the absolute number that will interest one’s doctor. The trend in the numbers can predict early cancer that almost always can be treated.
  2. Digital Rectal Exam (DRA): A doctor will insert a lubricated finger in the rectum to feel for hard areas or bumps that may be cancerous. The doctor will also check for growths on the prostate gland. The doctor may also decide to take a stool sample to for blood. The test is usually short and is over quickly.

One reason men will not take the test is fear. It is crucial that they overcome the fear of the doctor. Completing the tests as directed by your doctor is important and can be life saving.

The key here is that ideally you take care of yourself by getting checked.

Our mission is to help the 240,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer yearly. See how donating your car, motorcycle, or RV can help with prostate cancer awareness.

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Buying a new car or motorcycle? Donate the old one to a worthy cause

Donate vehiclesWhen planning to acquire a new car or motorcycle you probably start wondering what to do with the old one. You can opt to sell it in the second-hand market although it won’t fetch much money. You can also let it sit in the garage, occupying precious space and slowly weathering away. You can also decide to donate it to a charitable organization. There are numerous charities in the US that would appreciate it if you donate motorcycles or donate vehicles to them, including us, the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project.

Our main objective is to inform men and the women in their lives about the dangers of prostate cancer and the need for men to undergo regular screening. It is unfortunate that with close to 30,000 men succumbing to the illness every year, prostate cancer programs receive very little funding from the government. Prostate cancer does not receive as much publicity as it deserves either and that is our motivation for taking up the task of spreading the word.

We can’t do much without your help though and which is why we are asking you to donate motorcycles and donate vehicles to our cause. Since we really value the sacrifices that well-wishers make when they donate vehicles or donate motorcycles to us, we use all the resources we receive very judiciously. We channel 93% of the money to awareness programs thus ensuring that your donations will be well spent.

If you’d like to join us in our noble cause you can find a contact form at http://www.carsforprostatecancer.org. Once you get in touch with us, we will arrange to come and collect the donation from you – you won’t spend a dime when giving us your donation.

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