The Believers Medicine Podcast

There are many types of treatments for prostate cancer. Along with other medications, some men are treated with surgery or radiation. At other times, prostate cancer does not need to be treated. It can be “watched,” or monitored from year to year. In our previous blog and podcast, we discussed how the Gleason score can help guide a treatment course for prostate cancer. In addition to the Gleason score, there are other factors, such as the PSA level and tumor stage, that will be help plan a path to treat prostate cancer. Let’s find out how the Gleason score...

There are many types of treatments for prostate cancer. Along with other medications, some men are treated with surgery or radiation. At other times, prostate cancer does not need to be treated. It can be “watched,” or monitored from year to year. The decision for treatment with surgery, radiation or watchful waiting depends on many factors. One is these factors is called a Gleason score. After undergoing a prostate biopsy, a doctor that specializes in looking at tissues on microscope, also known as a pathologist, will give a score to grade the cancer cell from not aggressive to aggressive. This...

The choice to undergo a biopsy of the prostate is an important decision. After a PSA blood test, and likely an MRI of the prostate gland, are performed, you and your doctor may come to the decision that a biopsy of the prostate gland is best for you. With this biopsy, several small samples of tissues are taken from the prostate gland. In this way, the doctor will get better idea of the presence or absence of prostate cancer or the aggressiveness of these cells if found. Let find out more about you can expect before and after your...

The decision to get a biopsy of your prostate is a big one. There can be anxiety while awaiting results. Once results are obtained, a cancer diagnosis can carry a heavy weight. These drawbacks are especially concerning when we consider a large number of prostate cancers are slow growing and will not cause death. Notwithstanding, there are some prostate cancers that are aggressive and deadly. Therefore, a prostate biopsy becomes an important means to identify and separate slow growing cancers for aggressive ones. Lest find out more about when you should consider getting a biopsy of your prostate.

You have decided to get a PSA blood test and it is higher than expected. The test is repeated, and remains elevated. When you look at you PSA blood test year over year, it has increased with time. You have a discuss with your primary care doctor and it is their recommendation that you consider a biopsy. A referral is placed to a urologist. Yet, before seeing the urologist you ask yourself: “should I consider an MRI of my prostate before undergoing a biopsy?” The answer in most case is “yes.” Let’s find out why.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and in the United States. About 1,600,000 men worldwide, and 165,00 men in the United States, are affected by prostate cancer each year. Typically, a blood called a PSA, or Prostate Specific Antigen, is used to screen for prostate cancer. The chances of being affected by prostate cancer increases as men get older. Therefore, it is important to know the right time to be screened for prostate cancer. With this in mind, the timing of prostate cancer screening depends of whether a man is considered an average or high risk for...

When you go to your doctor for a yearly visit, you may be offered a blood test to search for prostate cancer. This blood test is called a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Nowadays, some professional societies recommend against using digital rectal exam to search for prostate for cancer. We have found the blood test is more helpful than using our finger to find cancer in average risk men, but the blood test is not perfect either. When receiving your test results, it is not enough to know if you test was “positive” or “negative.” You need to know your number...

There are a number of ways to detect prostate cancer. Traditionally, a doctor would attempt to feel the prostate gland with their finger. This is called a digital rectal exam, or a DRE. With time, it become apparent that this was not a perfect test for a number of reasons. Presently, we screen for prostate cancer with a blood test called a Prostate Specific Antigen, or a PSA. This test also has its limitations. Let’s find out more about how to look for prostate cancer with these two methods.

Before we begin our discussion on the symptoms of prostate cancer, it is important to realize that it is our goal to detect prostate cancer before symptoms develop. More prostate cancers are found when there are not symptoms at all. Instead, a high Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) may be found on blood testing or a hard prostate gland may be found on a rectal exam. When symptoms of prostate cancer come about, this can mean that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. At other times, the symptoms of prostate cancer can be confused with other conditions of the...

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer amongst men in the United States, and the second most common cancer in men worldwide. There are some well-established risk factors for prostate cancer. As with many cancers, there are some risks, such as our age, that are not under our control. While other risk, such as diet, are influenced by our decisions and can help lower the risk of cancer. When we look at the risk for prostate cancer; age, family history and ethnicity are major risk factors for this disease. Let’s find out more about prostate cancer and some of...

Prostate cancer in the second most common cancer in men worldwide and the single most common cancer in men in the United States. More specifically, there are over 3 million men who are living with prostate cancer in the United States. Worldwide over 1000 men are expected to die from prostate cancer every day. In the United States, about nearly 100 men are expected to die from prostate cancer each day. In the United States men have a 12-13% lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer.

Our journey to discover more about breast cancer has been long, but I hope you have learned something that will prevent this disease from taking a hold of your life and those around you. Our breast cancer series cover many areas of this topic including risk factors, symptoms, screening methods, biopsy types, genetic testing and treatment for the most common breast cancer types, specifically DCIS and invasive breast cancer. Let’s review these topics one more time.

As we discussed before, there are words in your biopsy report that may be difficult to understand, but there are some key phrases you can learn to help uncover the meaning of this report. Ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer are the two most common types of breast cancer. If you would like to know more about ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, read our blog “What is DCIS?” Otherwise, let’s find out more about invasive breast cancer and discover its meaning.

There are words in your biopsy report that may be difficult to understand, but there are some key phrases you can learn to help unravel the meaning of this report. First, you will need to become familiar with two terms, which are ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer. Let’s find out about ductal carcinoma in situ.

There are women and men who are at increased risk for breast cancer. In this group, genetic testing for the BRCA mutation should be a consideration. In this way, other cancers caused by the BRCA mutation can be detected earlier and family members can be empowered to know their cancer risk as well. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you doctor will tell you of you need genetic testing. But for those who are have not been diagnosed with breast cancer, there are some clues you can use to help determine of you need genetic testing.

Learn about the symptoms of breast cancer and how you can find masses, as well as other changes, in your breast that may missed on mammogram.

There are some women that are at the highest risk to develop breast cancer. These women tend to have a hereditary form of breast. The most common form of hereditary breast is that which involves the BRCA mutation. BRCA stand for the BReast CAncer gene. There are two BRCA mutations that have been identified. Theses gene are named BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. Women with the BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation have a 50 - 87% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. These women also have a 20 -45% chance of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime.

There are some things that cause certain women to be more at risk for breast cancer than others. Some of the things we can change, such as exercising more, and others we cannot, such as our age. Find out what lifestyle changes you can make to decrease your risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancer risk increases with age, yet even women in their 20s and 30s have some risk of breast cancer. Find out more about breast risk for each stage of life.

When your doctor tells you that your mammogram is “positive” or “abnormal,” negative emotions and thoughts may flood your mind. Yet, take a step back, know your mammogram score and become empowered to know the next steps. Let’s find out more about when you might need a biopsy.

It is not enough to know if you have a "negative" or "positive" mammogram result. You need to know you BIRADS score. In this episode, we will learn more about BIRADS scores and what this means for your risk of breast cancer.

Before we begin our series on breast cancer, lets learn some interesting facts and statistics about this disease.

It has been a long journey. We have learned so much about depression, as well as how this condition can be treated. We have learned that many conditions can have a depressed mood as a symptom, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), post-partum blues and depression, normal and prolonged grief, major depression disorder, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. We have learned that therapy is useful in most, if not all, of these conditions. We have also learned that medications play a role when a depressive condition is severe, impacts our daily function or a deep physiologic basis is the...

Up to this point in our depression series we have discussed several conditions that have a depressed mood as a symptom of the condition; this includes premenstrual syndrome (PMS), post-partum blues and depression, normal and prolonged grief, major depression disorder, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Depending on the condition and severity, medication may be needed to help control symptoms. On the other hand, therapy tends to be beneficial in all these conditions. A therapist can use many types of therapy methods. It can be helpful to know which therapy method is being used in your case or what...

There are events in our life that seem to create permanent painful memories that are etched onto the fabric of our minds. These memories arise from traumatic events that instills a depth of hurt so deep that it seems impossible to rid ourselves of these thoughts. It shapes our interactions others and can serve as a hinderance to living a fulfilling life. When thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks of a painful experience affects your daily activities and how you interact with others, this is called post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.  Let’s find out more about what causes PSTD and, mor...

Bipolar disorder is a condition whereby someone’s mood and habits can swing form one pole to the next. On one pole, there is depression. On the other pole there is mania, which is a period of heightened activity, risk taking and poor choices that can lead to severe consequences. Over a lifetime bipolar disorder affects about 1-3% of the population worldwide. Bipolar begins around the age of 18 to 20 years and affects men and women equally. Though bipolar disorder is not the most common psychological illness; when recognized, this condition does require treatment.

At times we cordially use the word “bipolar” to describe swings in someone's behavior, but there is a deeper meaning. If we were to take a snapshot of someone’s life dealing with bipolar disorder, we may see someone who is terribly depressed. At other times we can see someone who is filled with energy, ideas, and irresponsibility. This period of heightened activity and risk taking is called mania. While we have discussed major depression in previous episodes, let us find out more about mania. More importantly, let us find out more about what the bible says about how we sho...

Depression is one of the most common psychological illnesses in the world with far reaching effects, stretching across ethnicities, genders, and all age groups. Major depression is a formidable opponent that can impact our lives greatly, as well as those who are closest to us.  In the battle against depression, it is important to know when to use therapy, medications, or both. More importantly, it essential to know we have a comforter in Jesus.

There are moments in our lives that tip us over the edge into a valley of depression. It is usually not one event but an accumulation of insults, setbacks, and losses that causes someone to become weary and discouraged. They may tempt us to isolate ourselves and devalue life. We may think passive thoughts of not wanting to live. Let us find out more about another symptom of depression: thought or harm and not wanting to live. Most importantly, we will discover what the bible says about our future.

Depression can have far reaching effects, stretching across genders and all age groups. A depressed mood and lack in the interest in most, if not all, activities of daily life are hallmark symptoms of depression. Another well symptom of depression is feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Let’s us find about more about this symptom of depression and how the word of God can lead us to feelings of value and confidence.

Depression is a formidable opponent and can impact our lives greatly, as well as those who are closest to us. Also, depression can present and appear differently amongst individuals impacted with this disease. There is always a depressed mood or lack in the interest in most, if not all, activities of daily life when we speak about depression. Yet, those with depression can have changes to eating patterns, weight, and energy level. Let us find out more about another and less commonly known of depression: psychomotor changes.

During a lifetime, about 12% of individuals may be affected by depression worldwide. In the United States and Europe, about 18% of individuals may deal with major depression. Therefore, depression is one of the most common psychological illnesses worldwide. So far, we have discussed depressed mood and anhedonia, as well as weight, appetite, and sleep changes. Today, let us find out more about another symptom of depression: Changes in energy level, or fatigue.

Major depression is one of the most common psychologic conditions worldwide. The symptoms of major depression include: depressed mood, anhedonia, changes to eating habits, weight, sleep, energy level and concentration. Today, let us find out more the symptom poor sleep. More important, we will discover what the bible says about our rest.

Major depression is one of the most common psychologic conditions worldwide. During a lifetime, about 12% of individuals may be affected by depression worldwide. The symptoms of major depression include: depressed mood, anhedonia, changes to eating habits, weight, sleep, energy level and concentration. Today, let us find out more the symptoms of weight and appetite changes.

Major depression is one of the most common psychologic conditions worldwide. The symptoms of major depression include: depressed mood, anhedonia, changes to eating habits, weight, sleep, energy level and concentration. Today, let us find out more the symptoms of anhedonia, which speaks to the lack of enjoyment in life.

Major depression is one of the common psychologic conditions worldwide. During a lifetime, about 12% of individuals may be affected by depression worldwide. In the United States and Europe, about 18% of individuals may deal with major depression. The symptoms of major depression include: depressed mood, a lack in the interest and pleasure in most, if not all, activities of life; changes to eating habits, weight, sleep, energy level and concentration. Today, let us find out more the symptom of a depressed mood.

Major depression is a term we hear from time-to-time to describe a state where someone feels down for prolonged period of time. Social interactions and activities of daily living can be affected.  As discussed previously, feelings of depression can be link to a medical condition, medication, menstruation, pregnancy, loss of a loved one or change in one’s environment. At other times, others may feel depressed and not quite know why. In this case, your doctor may be suspicious of a major depressive disorder. In the course of a lifetime, about 12% of individuals may be affected by depression worldwide. In...

Life can hit us hard. Natural disasters, broken relationships, the death of a loved one, loss of a job or a newly diagnosed life-threatening illness can turn our lives upside down. Shock waves can be felt in all areas of our life, including our emotions. There is an adjustment to our new reality. There are times when our adjustment to a stressful life event can become unhealthy. When our adjustment to a stressful event becomes excessive and impacts our behaviors and daily living, this is called adjustment disorder. Adjustment disorder tends to occur within 3 months after a stressful event...

Life has highs and lows. Some of the lowest points in our life involves loss of something or someone that is close to our hearts. Grief is a common reaction to a life circumstance. There are times when grief can be prolonged and debilitating. This is called prolonged grief disorder. Whereas acute grief is normal and should improve within months, prolonged grief is a psychologic condition and can last years. Let find out more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of prolong grief disorder. More importantly, we will discover what the bible says about our recovery from grief.

Life has highs and lows. Some of the lowest points in our life involves the loss of something or someone that is close to our hearts. Grief is a common reaction to a challenging moment in life. Events that can lead to grief include the death of a loved one, divorce or loss of a job. Let’s find out more about the symptoms of grief and what the bible says about our recovery.