June 11-17: International Men's Health Week

Men's Health Week
Next week marks the 13th year of International Men's Health Week, celebrated annually during the week preceding and including Father's Day to honor the importance of men's health and wellness.
Men's Health Week was chosen for this specific time of year to make use of the extra attention paid to male family members near the holiday.
Observers of Men's Health Week are sometimes seen wearing a blue ribbon as a symbol of their support for the fight against prostate cancer. However, problems affecting men's health extend far beyond prostate cancer and other commonly recognized men's illnesses.
To help educate men and their families on how they can be more proactive regarding their personal health, U.S. Preventive Medicine, a company working to organize and advance a culture of prevention throughout America, today announced its list of the five most critical health conditions affecting men and the actions they must take in order to prevent a serious illness from occurring.
"It is crucial for men to take full control of their health, especially since men are typically less proactive about their health than women," said Dr. Boyd Lyles, Chief Medical Officer, of U.S. Preventive Medicine. "By taking preventive action at the recommended time, men can stay ahead of the curve and become more knowledgeable about health concerns, creating a greater opportunity to identify a potentially serious condition before it becomes life threatening."
Below is a list of five key conditions U.S. Preventive Medicine believes all men should screen against:
* Prostate Cancer
-- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): The DRE screening is an early and simple test to screen for prostate cancer. The goal is to detect the cancer in its early stages when treatment is most successful; patients should consult their doctors for when and how often to receive this exam.
-- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA blood test): PSA is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland and is often elevated in the presence of prostate cancer and in other prostate disorders. A blood test to measure PSA is one of the most effective tests currently available for the early detection of prostate cancer; patients should consult their doctors for when and how often to receive this test.
* Heart Disease
-- Blood Pressure: A blood pressure screening measures the pressure against the walls of your blood vessels. Men should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years until age 65; after that, they should be checked yearly.
-- Cholesterol Testing: High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. It is recommended that men age 20 and older have a fasting "lipoprotein profile" every five years to test for good cholesterol, bad cholesterol and blood fats.
-- Treadmill Stress Test: This test looks for critical levels of coronary artery blockage. The patient's heart rate and blood pressure are recorded at rest. The patient walks on the treadmill until they achieve a target heart rate. The test shows the doctor the presence of alarming changes or serious irregular heart beats.
* Diabetes
-- Blood Sugar Testing: This test measures the amount of glucose, a type of sugar, in your blood. This is usually the first test done to diagnose diabetes.
* Colon Cancer
-- Stool Blood Test: This test is used to find small amounts of hidden (occult) blood in the stool. Very small amounts of blood can be in the stool when polyps or cancers start to form. Having this test at an early stage can greatly improve the chances of successful treatment.
-- Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is usually conducted in patients 50 years of age and older and allows the doctor to see the entire colon. If a polyp is found, the doctor may remove it. If anything else looks abnormal, a biopsy can be done at an early stage.
* Lung Cancer
-- Lung cancer is a common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States, and men who smoke are especially at risk. Men who feel that they may have symptoms of lung problems such as persistent coughing and wheezing, chest pains, or other respiratory symptoms, should see their doctor immediately to determine the appropriate diagnostic tests to have administered as there are several screenings that can be used .The physician may choose amongst the following screenings to detect lung cancer and other lung problems; Chest X-Ray, CT Scan; Pulmonary Function Test, Sputum sample, or Bronchoscopy.

Amgen’s Denosumab Positive In Bone Loss Treatment of Prostate Cancer Men

This morning Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced findings from a three-year pivotal Phase 3 placebo-controlled trial evaluating denosumab in the treatment of bone loss in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for non-metastatic prostate cancer.
In this study of more than 1,400 men, denosumab treatment produced statistically significantly greater increases in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (primary endpoint) and non-vertebral sites compared with placebo at multiple time points. These improvements in BMD were consistent with those seen in other denosumab studies evaluating BMD in women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy, and in post-menopausal women with low bone mass.
During the 36-month evaluation period, men receiving denosumab experienced less than half the incidence of new vertebral fractures (a secondary endpoint) compared with those receiving placebo, a statistically significant finding. Furthermore, in the denosumab arm there were fewer non-vertebral fractures over the 36-month period.
The incidence and types of adverse events observed in this study were generally similar between the denosumab and placebo groups. The most common adverse events across both treatment arms were arthralgia, back pain, constipation, and pain in extremity. Serious adverse infectious events occurred in approximately 5 percent of men receiving placebo treatment as compared with approximately 6 percent of those receiving denosumab.
“This pivotal study in men with prostate cancer demonstrated once again that denosumab increases BMD consistently at all sites measured. We are also excited by the reduction in vertebral fractures, which permits the conclusion that the increased BMD seen in patients receiving denosumab is associated with improved bone strength,” said Roger Perlmutter, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. “We are encouraged by the potential benefit this may represent to prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT for whom bone loss and fractures are serious and under-recognized complications of cancer treatment.”
Denosumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody in late stage clinical development that specifically targets RANK Ligand, the essential regulator of osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone). With more than 19,000 patients participating in trials across indications worldwide, the denosumab development program is the largest ever initiated by Amgen. This broad and deep development program demonstrates Amgen’s commitment to researching and delivering pioneering medicines to patients with unmet medical needs. Amgen is studying denosumab in numerous tumor types across the spectrum of cancer induced bone disease. Over 11,000 patients are currently enrolled in denosumab oncology clinical trials testing the drug for bone loss associated with cancer treatment-induced bone loss in breast and prostate cancers, for the prevention of skeletal related events due to the spread of cancer to the bone in multiple myeloma and multiple solid tumors, and for its potential to delay bone metastases in prostate cancer. The denosumab oncology program has a specific commitment in prostate cancer, studying more than 4,300 patients to determine the treatment effect of denosumab to treat and prevent bone loss, treat and prevent SREs and delay bone metastases in men with prostate cancer.

Don't Consume Sexual Dysfunction Pills With Undeclared Ingredients

A DH spokesman said a 73-year-old man was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on August 13 after being found unconscious. His blood glucose level was very low on admission. He had recovered and was discharged on August 19.

The Department of Health (DH) appealed to members of the public not to buy or use a product labelled as "Lu Quan" as it was found to contain an undeclared drug which is known to link with serious side effects.
Investigation revealed that he had a history of taking the product (a kind of red/yellow capsule) purchased in Shenzhen. The urine of the patient was found to have contained glibenclamide (a diabetic drug) and sildenafil (a drug used for treating male sexual dysfunction).
Laboratory tests on the remaining product provided by the patient showed the presence of the two drug ingredients today.
The spokesman said glibenclamide could cause nausea and gastro-intestinal upset. Improper use may cause a significant fall in blood sugar level with serious health consequence and even death.
The side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin for treatment of angina) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance of Hong Kong, products containing either sildenafil or glibenclamide must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
Members of the public who have bought the product are advised not to take it. Moreover, they are urged to seek advice from their doctors if feeling unwell after consuming the product.
They should destroy and dispose of the products or submit them to the Department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.
"People who have problems of sexual dysfunction should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication," the spokesman said.

Good Sexual Health Must Be A Priority

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has welcomed a paper published by the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) about sexual health.
The NICCY report highlights the need to develop appropriate sexual health services for young people and calls for the implementation of a sexual health strategy.
Commenting on the report, the Minister said: “There is no doubt that sexual health in Northern Ireland is poor. Teenage pregnancies rates are high, but have been decreasing, while the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are growing, resulting in greater demand for services.
“The NICCY report highlights the need for a sexual health strategy. My Department has developed a Sexual Health Promotion Strategy which I hope to publish before the summer recess, subject to Executive approval. The strategy aims to improve, protect and promote the sexual health and wellbeing of the population, with young people under 25 years, especially those who are looked after or leaving care, identified as a priority group.”
Targets included in the Strategy include: increasing the number of teenagers delaying sexual activity; reducing the rate of births to teenage mothers; reducing the incidence of STIs; and reducing the access time to Genito Urinary Medicine GUM clinics to two working days.
“The Minister continued: “The strategy focuses on four areas – prevention, training, services and research. It recognises the need for positive and accurate information about sexual health and emphasises the importance of respect and responsibility.
“It is vital that young people have access to information about sexual health so that they can make informed choices. It is also essential that services are in place for those who need them. To that end, I have made an extra 250,000 available during 2007/08 for Genito Urinary Medicine. The four Health Boards were also given a target of ensuring that all patients assessed as clinically urgent should be seen within two working days. This target has been largely achieved.”
In addition, since 2003 the Department has made funding available to the Boards to implement actions in line with the draft Strategy. In 2007/08 the Department made available 440,000 to the Boards and 200,000 to the Health Promotion Agency to support work on sexual health promotion. A further 400,000 was given to the Boards to support work in line with the Teenage Pregnancy & Parenthood Strategy and Action Plan.
Concluding the Minister said: “The health consequences of STIs or teenage pregnancies can have a significant and detrimental impact on those affected, both emotionally and physically. Good sexual health promotion must be a priority for the entire population and we must all work together to ensure this happens.”

BPA Exposure Linked to Erectile Dysfunction Risk

Men who are exposed to high levels of BPA at work may have an increased risk of erectile dysfunction, according to results of a five-year study. This is the first research study to evaluate the impact of BPA on the male reproductive system in humans.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical made in the production of polycarbonated plastics and epoxy resins that are found in baby bottles, plastic containers, the lining of food and beverage cans, in dental sealants, and in other everyday products. Increasing concern about the health implications of exposure to this chemical has resulted in BPA no longer being used in certain products by some manufacturers.
Previous studies have shown that BPA has an effect on the male and possibly the female reproductive system in laboratory animals, including erectile dysfunction, reduced testosterone levels, and reduction in sexual desire. In a 2007 review study at the Columbia Environmental Research Center in Missouri, the investigators concluded that “adult exposure to BPA affects the male reproductive tract” and that the chemical also affected the brain.
This newest study, conducted by Kaiser Permanente and funded by the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), examined 634 factory workers in China. The investigators compared 230 workers who were exposed to high levels of BPA in their positions as packagers, technical supervisors, lab technicians, and maintenance workers, with a control group of 404 factory workers who had no exposure to BPA on the job. BPA levels were measured by conducting spot air sampling, personal air sample monitoring, review of factory records, and through interviews with factory workers about hygiene habits, use of protective equipment, and their exposure to other toxins.
In-person interviews with the workers regarding erectile function, ejaculation capability, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction with their sex life showed that the men who were exposed to BPA had a nearly fourfold increased risk of reduced sexual desire and overall satisfaction with their sex life, greater than fourfold increased risk of erection difficulty, and more than a sevenfold increased risk of difficulty with ejaculation.
The levels of BPA the workers were exposed to is about 50 times greater than what the average American male can expect in the United States. However, the investigators note that more research is needed to answer the question: Is there a safe level for BPA exposure? Because many experts believe BPA can disrupt the endocrine system, and thus likely impact both the male and female reproductive systems, the need for more research is apparent. This study was the first of several that the authors plan to conduct to examine the impact of BPA in humans.