PROSTATE CANCER.

Prostate cancer develops in a man’s prostate, the walnut-sized gland just below the bladder that produces some of the fluid in semen. It’s the most common cancer in men after skin cancer. Prostate cancer often grows very slowly and may not cause significant harm. But some types are more aggressive and can spread quickly without treatment.

The prostate can grow larger as men age, sometimes pressing on the bladder or urethra and causing symptoms similar to prostate cancer. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s not cancer and can be treated if symptoms become bothersome. A third problem that can cause urinary symptoms is prostatitis. This inflammation or infection may also cause a fever and in many cases is treated with medicine.

Growing older is the greatest risk factor for prostate cancer, particularly after age 50. After 70, studies suggest that most men have some form of prostate cancer, though there may be no outward symptoms. Family history increases a man’s risk: having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles the risk. African-Americans are at high risk and have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world.

However, there are some risk factors that can be prevented. Diet seems to play a role in the development of prostate cancer, which is much more common in countries where meat and high-fat dairy are mainstays. The reason for this link is unclear. Dietary fat, particularly animal fat from red meat, may boost male hormone levels. And this may fuel the growth of cancerous prostate cells. A diet too low in fruits and vegetables may also play a role.

Your sexual habit does not predispose you getting prostate cancer. For instance, too much sex, a vasectomy(removal of the testes) and masturbation have no effect on a man’s risk for prostate diseases.

If you have an enlarged prostate, that does not mean you are at greater risk of developing prostate cancer. Researchers are still studying whether alcohol use and sexually transmitted diseases play a role in the development of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer can also be detected early. Screening tests are available to find prostate cancer early, but government guidelines don’t call for routine testing in men at any age. The tests may find cancers that are so slow-growing that medical treatments would offer no benefit. And the treatments themselves can have serious side effects. Men are advised to talk with a doctor about screening tests, beginning at 50 for average-risk men who expect to live at least 10 more years.

The good news about prostate cancer is that it usually grows slowly. And 9 out of 10 cases are found in the early stages. Overall, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100 per cent for men with disease confined to the prostate or nearby tissues, and many men live much longer. When the disease has spread to distant areas, that figure drops to 31per cent. But these numbers are based on men diagnosed at least 5 years ago. The outlook may be better for men diagnosed and treated today.

There is a vaccine for prostate cancer but it is designed vaccine to treat, not prevent, prostate cancer by spurring your body’s immune system to attack prostate cancer cells. Immune cells are removed from your blood, activated to fight cancer, and infused back into your blood. Three cycles occur in one month. It’s used for advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. Mild side-effects can occur such as fatigue, nausea, and fever.

Experts say erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of prostate cancer treatments. Generally, erectile function improves within two years after surgery.

They note that a cancer-conscious diet may be the best choice for survivors who want to bolster their health and those hoping to lower their risk. That means eating five or more fruits and veggies a day. Taking whole grains instead of white flour or white rice. Limiting high-fat meat and processed meat, and alcohol to 1-2 drinks per day.

Foods high in folate may have some action against prostate cancer (spinach, orange juice, lentils). Studies found mixed results on lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes and carrots.

Prostate cancer symptoms

Because of the proximity of the prostate gland in relation to the bladder and urethra, prostate cancer may be accompanied by a variety of urinary symptoms. Depending on the size and location, a tumor may press on and constrict the urethra, inhibiting the flow of urine. Some prostate cancer signs related to urination include:

•Burning or pain during urination

•Difficulty urinating, or trouble starting and stopping while urinating

•More frequent urges to urinate at night

•Loss of bladder control

•Decreased flow or velocity of urine stream

•Blood in urine (hematuria)

Other prostate cancer signs & symptoms

Prostate cancer may spread (metastasize) to nearby tissues or bones. If the cancer spreads to the spine, it may press on the spinal nerves. Other prostate cancer symptoms include:

•Blood in semen

•Difficulty getting an erection (erectile dysfunction)

•Painful ejaculation

•Swelling in legs or pelvic area

•Numbness or pain in the hips, legs or feet

Bone pain that doesn’t go away, or leads to fractures

5 WAYS TO NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIP

All relationships lose steam at some point. The naturally occurring passion that had once driven them seems to burn out. And the relationships coast. Sometimes life is generous and provides your relationship with some kind of helpful nudge (e.g. a circumstance that makes you more aware of the importance of your relationship). But eventually the relationship loses energy again and seems to come to a stand-still – or at least a very boring, monotonous ‘ride’.
If you are aware of this, you can intervene. Rather than just waiting until it happens and then moving on, you can consciously choose to fuel your relationship regularly. Each day (or certainly each week), you can do things that reconnect the two of you. Sometimes you might simply go to a movie together. At other times, you might talk about your dreams of having a family. There are endless possibilities for how to spend time together.
Of course, every relationship is fueled in somewhat different ways. However, it can help to think in terms of the following approaches (many of which can overlap):


NOVELTY: Trying new experiences can strengthen your relationship. For instance, you might take a cooking class together or check out a local town. Even if the activity is a total flop, going through it hand-in-hand can bring you closer.


ROMANCE: You can keep the passion alive by regularly doing romantic activities. For instance, you might picnic in a secluded spot or weekend at a romantic get-away. Remember that it’s not just what you do together, but how you approach it (the energy you bring to it) that makes it romantic.


PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Physical arousal heightens attraction. So, you can keep your interest in attraction for each other going by doing activities, such as hiking, bicycling, or working out together.


SEX: Keep your sex life interesting. You don’t have to look far for creative ideas about this, but it can be as simple as having sex at a different time (e.g. mid-afternoon rather than at night) or in a different place than usual. A weekend away together can be all you need. Also, by focusing on making love to your partner – really taking in that person instead of remaining intent on the ‘end goal’ of orgasm – you can keep your love and sex life alive.


SHARED INTEREST: By sharing an interest, you will have more to talk about and do together. For instance, you might both enjoy gardening and landscaping, going to the theater, or reading books. Your interest might even be more about pursuing a dream, such as traveling to all of the state parks or even all of the countries in the world.


These are just a few ways of thinking about keeping your relationship alive. In the end, you need to find what works for you. But remember that long-term relationships are nurtured. They don’t just happen – like having a winning lottery ticket drop from the sky into your hands. So, make thinking about how to nurture your relationship a regular part of your day.

CONTROLLING SPENDING

The first step to controlling your spending is getting your financial house in order so that you can determine how much you spend every month.

In a society of constant spending and entertainment, forgetting to intelligently spend your money is common. Credit card debt and bankruptcy have affected many individuals, but you can prevent this from happening to you.

In Nigeria today, one major economic challenge is the disparity between recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure. While economists say the ideal thing is for the government to spend more on capital projects, and less on recurrent expenditure, the reality is that over 70 per cent of the country’s expenditure is recurrent.

Financial analysts say the reality for many people is similar. While they have been told that the ideal thing is for them to plan, have budgets and saving – among other things, the reality is that they spend spontaneously, with a large chunk of their earnings going to “waste” on things they could do without.

Are you different? What do you spend your money on? Is your expenditure budget-based? These are some of the questions you have to consider in planning and managing your finances. It is not enough for you to say “I didn’t waste the money; I spent it on useful things.” This is because financial experts insist that as long as you don’t have a budget, you certainly will make some mistakes.

To avoid “eating” or “wasting” your future and to keep your expenditure in check, consider the following:

What do you spend money on?

The first thing you need to do once you decide to monitor your expenditure or to reduce how much you spend is to know what you spend your money on. Once you determine this, you will be able to review your spending and determine what you can take off the list. If you can’t really tell where the money goes, it is a clear sign that you really need to cut down spending because you are spending more than you ought to. The idea is that if you really spend money on things you really need, you will not find it that hard to at least remember most of your expenditures. Try compiling a list of your expenses for the last two weeks. How much went to beverages, snacks, gum, DVDs, etc? How much did you save? Are there items you bought that you did not need?

Stop unnecessary expenses

Having determined what you spend money on and the things you don’t need yet they claim a huge chunk of your earnings, the next step is to stop irrelevant spending. If you reside in cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt or Kano, ask yourself if you really need that beverage or snack being ‘shoved’ in your face while you are stuck in traffic. Yes, you love sandals, but do you need another pair? Some of these expenses might seem small but cumulatively they are huge. Let’s say you got a pair of shoes you didn’t really need for N5,000, the following week, u picked up another pair of jeans not needed for N2,000, That is N7,000 in two weeks. If you do that for one month, you imagine what that amounts to in a year. That could be the money you need to gradually set up your personal gymnasium, which in turn will help you to stay healthy and fit, thereby saving you thousands in health bills. It could also be the money that can be saved. The possibilities are numerous.

Stick to budgets

Without budgets, financial experts say it is impossible to eliminate spontaneous spending. Therefore, in your quest to cut out unnecessary expenses and to plan your finances better, budgets are a must. It is not enough to just set aside, say, N20,000 for foodstuff or to budget N100,000 for your trip home for a festival. When you want to go and get the foodstuff, make a list of what exactly you will get. That way, you won’t see one huge water melon that “is so cheap and irresistible” even though it did not make your shopping list. The same goes for the trip home; you need a breakdown of what the N100,000 is really for.

Avoid ‘too much’ entertainment

The amount of money people spend on entertainment and food has resulted in phrases such as “eating your future.” With the economic situation in the country, experts say no matter how much people ‘love to celebrate,’ they need to ensure that their love for financial planning and savings is also great. In a country where virtually everything “calls for celebration,” many people end up spending a lot on entertainment and food; naming ceremonies, “washing” a new car or promotion, birthdays, awards, movies, festivals, etc. – the list is endless. According to experts, people need to be smart about these things; avoid what can be avoided. The main thing to consider at all times is your earnings and your plan for the future. The truth is that while some people can afford to have 30 cartons of wine that go for up N30,000 per bottle for a naming ceremony, many others can’t and admitting that truth will help them to keep their expenditure in check and secure their future.

Review your utility bills

How much do you spend every month on utilities? This is one area that experts say you need to pay close attention to. In many states in the country, such utility bills as water bills do not exist, but that leaves you with electricity and phone bills; for some people, gas, etc. Do you really pay attention to these bills? Before now, many people had little control over what they pay for electricity but now, in the era of pre-paid meters, you can and you should. What do you do when suddenly your electricity bill reads N18,000 instead of the N5,000 range you have become used to? Do you make a complaint or do you just pay? Consider applying for a pre-paid meter and turning off electronic devices once they are not in use. You can also save energy, which will reduce the level of electricity you use, by replacing traditional bulbs with energy-saving bulbs. While many people do not think it is possible to predetermine how much they will spend on recharge cards for their phones, nothing stops you from not only doing this or making a habit out of it.

Get insurance cover

The rate of accidents, fire outbreaks, robbery, etc. in the county is rather high. What this means is that every day, people lose one important item or the other. When this happens, more often than not, they are forced to get a replacement because of the importance of what they lost. Many people will find it hard to leave their homes without a television set, for instance. So, when theirs is stolen, they are bound to get a new one as quickly as possible. Phones are even more important in today’s world. To avoid spending a fortune replacing items you have already purchased, insurance is the way to go.

There are many steps you can take to keep your expenditure in check, but the most important steps include always considering what you earn, planning, budgeting and sticking to your budget.

A CAR OWNER IN NIGERIA

You have crossed that awkward, deeply uncomfortable, sometimes shameful social state of being without a car. I mean in some countries where the public transport system works, not having a car is no big deal. But you are in Nigeria, where public transport is living hell, and owning a car can be the difference between life and social death. 

You had suffered the humiliation and attendant frustrations. You swore to yourself, after the girl you came to a party with left in an air conditioned car, that things must change. The Nigerian god felt your pain, heard your cries of affliction and consequently, after much tithing and prayers, blessed your hustle. Enough to buy your own car. I rejoice with you.  

You have taken the car to the man of God and they have spent over an hour with the bonnet open, anointing your car and protecting it against the spirit of accidents that those jealous neighbours and village enemies are sure to send your way. That is fine. But you also need my advice.

Your car is not beautiful unless you have covered it in stickers. Get one from your church or fellowship that declares this year to be your “year of anointing”, or your “year of unsurpassed success”. If your wife or husband goes to a different church, get one from hers too. You can never get too many. Get one sticker that declares your child to be a Star Student. Let those with dull children see it and regret that their wives didn’t take enough vitamins during pregnancy. Because of Police on the road, get either an NBA sticker or an ARMY sticker. You don’t have to be a lawyer or soldier to get them. Especially the NBA one – you can find that one in any court premises for one or two hundred naira. 

Depending on how much God has blessed your hustle, get a customised plate number with your name or nickname, such as TONY01; DE DON 01; DADDY K. The ‘01’ is useful even if you have only one car. It just shows how much you have faith that more will come. Otherwise, depending on your level of gratitude to God, you can use a nice Bible verse, like ISAIAH43:4 or something like that. 

Now that you are a car owner, you need to realise that your status has changed. You need to treat pedestrians with the disdain they deserve. It doesn’t matter that you were once a pedestrian crossing these same streets. You must never think like a pedestrian and do silly things like observing Zebra crossings. Those white lines are there to beautify the road. Speed across them and curse anyone who tries to get in your way. 

Your neighbours need to feel your presence. They need to see just how your hustle has been blessed. Every morning, remind them by ‘warming’ your car. This process involves waking up at 6 a.m. and revving your car engine loudly until the neighbours wake up to the evidence of your blessed hustle. 

You bought the car with your hard-earned cash. And that includes the car horns. Those who call your right to honk noise pollution, God will judge them appropriately and truncate their hustle. In fact, if you ask me, because of how important it is, your right to use your horn indiscriminately should be a constitutionally guaranteed right.  Honk in the morning when your wife is wasting your time inside and you need her to hurry up. Honk when you see your neighbours. Honk in a traffic jam even though you are sure this will not make the cars miraculously move. Honk instead of slowing down when you are approaching a junction or intersection. Honk when you are angry. And when you are happy. There are few things as useful in a car as the horn.

At night, it is important that you see the road clearly. Nigerian roads are dark and dangerous, so you must use your full lights at all times. It doesn’t matter if you are blinding oncoming vehicles. Is it your fault that the government is not doing their job? 

Other things you will learn on the job as a car owner include how to double park, how to drive against traffic on the highway, how to create multiple lanes in a traffic jam, how to beat traffic lights, how to stop in the middle of the road to say hello to a long lost friend, how to litter the street with wrappers of plantain chips bought in a hold-up, all of which every true and experienced Nigerian driver is adept at doing. I trust you will catch up quickly.

May God keep blessing your hustle. Amen

TAURUS ASTROLOGY

Taurus Astrology April 20 - May 20

Taurus Strength Keywords:

- Dependable
- Persistent
- Loyal
- Patient
- Generous

Taurus Weakness Keywords:

- Stubborn
- Laziness
- Possessive
- Materialistic
- Self-indulging

Taurus and Independence:

Taurus is not the one who ventures out into the unknown and leads the way, Taurus is the one that will follow the leader and strengthen and build upon the discovered, in other words they are the one that will "dot the I's and cross the T's". This perseverance is given to them by their stubborn streak. Taurus stubborn streak is what gives their independence. They like to do things their way. They are perfectly fine on being alone, this way things get done they way they want them to be done. Taurus is not a follower, but they are not the brave one either. Taurus is perfectly independent. With their perseverance, they get things done and can do quite well for themselves.

Taurus and Friendship:

A Taurus is an excellent friend. Taurus has few close friends as opposed to many acquaintances. The few people they hold dear to them are guarded and protected. Their friends are treated like family and they are fiercely loyal and dependable. Taurus loves to be the host or hostess. Although not a total social butterfly, they can be shy around strangers, the people who Taurus let into their lives are lavishly catered to when Taurus decides to throw a party, they decorate and present everything lavishly. Taurus will always pamper themselves and their close group of friends.

Taurus and Business:

Taurus is a strong business person. Taurus is the one who has immense perseverance, even when others have given up, the Taurus rages on. They have a knack for finance and their financial advice is prized. They know where money is to be made and have the ability to manipulate and set the path for their own success. Taurus are not frivolous spenders but they like to live lavishly and surround themselves with nice possessions and foods, which all adds up resulting in large spending habits. They will not spend all their money and cause their business to fail because if they do, their security and stability will be gone and this will cause them great stress.

Taurus Temperament:

Taurus are deeply sensitive, the slightest comment or negative remark will be taken personally and they can easily get offended or hurt. Their stubborn streak results in laziness. They can be very lazy when someone gives them orders or wants them to do something they do not want to do. They are not lazy when it comes to themselves,

Taurus Deep Inside:

Taurus are not fond of change. In fact, is change is imminent, they get very nervous and worried. They do not like anything new because anything new is unknown and Taurus fears the unknown. Taurus needs order in their lives and when they do not have order, they get very anxious. Taurus will cut themselves off from the unfamiliar in order to avoid the feelings of insecurity that arise when new experiences and situations are present. Taurus do not express their feelings openly and their inner self is contained and secretive. Many people do not know how sensitive Taurus really is, they hide it well. As a result, they are often emotionally hurt when the wrong things are said, they take things too personally sometimes. Taurus avoids talking about their emotions and many people never really know how they feel.

Taurus in a Nutshell:

Taurus is the one who has immense perseverance, even when others have given up, the Taurus rages on. Solid and persistent, just like the bull, which is Taurus' well suited symbol. Taurus's have a well known reputation for being stubborn, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The stubborn streak can cause Taurus to butt heads and conflict with other strong character types. Taurus are not fond of change. They like the familiar and routine comfort of life. Taurus is easy going and not one to pick a fight but should some poor souls attempt to provoke Taurus, the wrath will be known, for they have a temper underneath the calm surface. Taurus are very responsive to their surroundings. They like decorations, color, anything that appeals to all the senses. Taurus like possessions and the Taurus home is nicely decorated with lots of things. Taurus are down to earth, they do not like gaudy, flashy or over the top things. They prefer comfortable and creative settings and objects. Taurus likes security, in every aspect of their lives from home, to love, to career. Taurus can be secretive, opinionated and stingy. Taurus tend to be self-indulgent and lazy, Taurus are master procrastinators of the astrology zodiac! They do however have a strong, persistent drive that comes to life when they chose, and no one would ever know that they are lazy. The secret to this is that their laziness is pushed aside when it comes to themselves.

Taurus Love, Sex and Relationships

What it's like to date a Taurus Woman:

Taurus women are masters in the art of seduction. She will get what she wants but her patience is incredible, she will wait for what she wants She needs stability and security and will not tolerate a man who is not straight with her and leads her along with uncertainty in the future. She is the old-fashioned type, the type of woman who is associated with the drive-in soda shop days of the 60's. She is down to earth, protective, supportive, loving, devoted and loyal. She is openly affectionate in a relationship. Taurus women is perfect for the man who likes to be nurtured and pampered, providing you are loyal and devoted. She has a lot to give but she requires a lot in return. Remember, the Taurus woman is very sensitive although she might not seem so on the exterior. Court her and constantly try to impress her and you will win her heart and she will be yours. Cross a Taurus woman, and her temper will flare, she will become extremely stubborn. If you ever break her trust, it will be nearly impossible to gain it back again.

What it's like to date a Taurus Man:

The Taurus man is very sensible, he is not the man to sweep you off your feet. He is practical and down to earth. He wants a high quality woman, not a woman for one night. He will survey cautiously before he makes his approach. He is very patient when it comes to a relationship. He will survey the situation and make sure the woman has something to offer him, before he offers himself. Taurus man is a romantic man, he will put his woman on a pedestal, protect her and cherish her. Once he has chosen his woman, he will be very generous, loyal and faithful. He is not a boring man, but he is not for the woman who craves adventure and excitement. Taurus man is for the woman who craves stability and comfort, he is an incredible provider and is a very fine choice as a partner for the right woman. He is in it for the long haul so commitment is no problem for this man.

How To Attract Taurus:

Do not attempt to rush into a relationship with Taurus. They are very patient and expect you to be so too. Make them laugh, if they are amused and entertained by you, they will enjoy being with you. The way to a Taurus' heart is through their stomachs. Cook for them or offer to take them to a fine upscale restaurant. Taurus enjoy talking about finance, business, money and material possessions.

Taurus Erogenous Zone:

The throat and neck are the hot spots for any Taurus. Lightly rub the neck, kiss it gently, lick it lightly, even a soft nipple will make them melt like butter! Massage the back of the neck while you are relaxing, this relax them and set the mood for passion!

Sex With Taurus:

They are passionate lovers. They have lots of physical stamina and this makes up for the lack of variety in the sex life