It was only eight days ago that Medical Specialists Pharmacy
explained in detail just how high blood pressure and obesity can
contribute to an increased prostate cancer mortality.
Prostate cancer is our feature again today with news that the potent
erectile dysfunction medication Viagra can drastically improve sexual
function in patients both prior to and after their radiation treatment.
Though prostate cancer itself is not linked to the inability to
achieve and maintain an erection, the treatments that are available have
been connected to male impotence. The three main types of therapy for
patients are: Removal of the entire prostate gland by surgery, radiation
therapy (external via an external-beam or radioactive seed implants)
and hormone therapy. All three can contribute to impotence in a varying
degree of severity.
Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male
reproductive system. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and
each year in the UK there are 36,000 men who are diagnosed with prostate
cancer. It was over two years ago that it was revealed that Sildenafil
(Viagra’s active ingredient) may be used as a method of actually fighting the prostate cancer itself,
but now research has been done which shows Viagra is massively
beneficial in helping prostate cancer patients maintain healthy and
happy sex lives.
The new research has been carried out by a team led by study lead
author Dr Michael Zelefsky, vice chair for clinical research programs in
the department of radiation oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s
Cancer Center.
The team decided to analyse men suffering with prostate cancer that
had not spread who had been treated by an external-beam radiation
therapy and/or permanent implantation of radioactive seeds.
Over a six month time period, the participants were either given a
daily dose of 50mg of Viagra, or an ineffective placebo. Patients were
asked to answer questionnaires prior to their initial radiation
treatment, and again at six, 12 and 24 months after treatment. Questions
were targeted as quizzing the men about any possible erectile function,
intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire and overall
sexual satisfaction.
Dr Zelefsky commented on the findings of the study, saying: “Men who
received the drug showed significantly improved overall sexual function,
including improved erectile function. Results like this are important
because they demonstrate that drug therapy used before and after
radiation treatment may lessen the risk of impotence, a common side
effect of radiation therapy. Future studies will be needed to further
define the drug’s role and the optimal duration to prevent loss of
sexual function after treatment.”
If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, you do not have to
suffer alone and in silence any longer. Medical Specialists Pharmacy
offer a wide range of treatments for this condition and back in August
we ran a comparison of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. This will hopefully equip men with the knowledge they need to understand the differences between the medications.
Viagra and other medications for male impotence such as Cialis or
Levitra are obtainable with or without a prescription. If you do not
have a prescription, you can undergo a private and confidential online
consultation with one of our Doctors and if suitable, they will write
you a prescription. This is passed to our in-house Pharmacists, and
dispensed and dispatched to you at your home, your place of work, or
where ever you choose, discreetly within 24 hours.
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