Gene-Based Therapy Helps Fight Advanced Prostate Cancer

MONDAY, Sept. 30, 2019 -- A drug that targets faulty gene repair may buy more time for some men with advanced prostate cancer, a new clinical trial finds.

Experts called the study "landmark," because it zeroed in on men with particular gene mutations that can be targeted with newer drug therapies. It's an approach that is already used in treating breast, ovarian and lung cancers.

Using Opioids After Vasectomy May Trigger Persistent Use: Study

FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019 -- Taking opioids after a vasectomy doesn't improve pain control and is associated with increased risk of persistent use of the addictive painkillers months later, a new study says.

It included 228 men who had vasectomies performed by eight different urologists. Two of the urologists routinely prescribed opioids for pain after the surgery. The other six used other methods to control pain -- over-the-counter medications (acetaminophen and ibuprofen), scrotal support and ice.

Concussions May Leave Former NFL Players With Another Issue: Impotence

MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 -- Low testosterone is not something most people typically associate with NFL players.

But repeated concussions from professional football appear to be damaging the sex life of players, causing erectile dysfunction and lowering their levels of the male hormone, a new study claims.

High-Dose Radiation a Game Changer in Fighting Deadly Prostate Cancer

TUESDAY, Sept. 17, 2019 -- In what might be a major breakthrough, researchers report that high doses of radiation dramatically prolonged survival in men battling an advanced and aggressive form of prostate cancer.

This particular type of cancer occurs when tumors resurface and spread to a number of areas beyond the prostate among patients who were in remission following radiation, surgery or chemotherapy. Generally, the outlook for the patient at this point is grim, the researchers noted.

Doubt Over Long-Term Use of Hormone Rx for Recurrent Prostate Cancer

TUESDAY, Sept. 17, 2019 -- Running contrary to current guidelines, new research suggests that use of hormone-suppressing treatment over the long term may not help some men battling recurrent prostate cancer, and may even cause harm.

In fact, the study found that long-term hormone therapy was tied to a raised risk of death from other causes for some patients who received it.

For Men, Living Alone May Mean Poorer Control of Blood-Thinning Meds

MONDAY, Sept. 2, 2019 -- Men who are on the blood-thinning drug warfarin have more difficulty taking the medication if they live alone, but the same is not true for women, a new study finds.

Warfarin (brand-name Coumadin) is a common anti-clotting treatment to prevent stroke in people with atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart rhythm disorder.