Although we do not know the cause of prostate cancer, it is now being researched to determine if certain factors influence either to help prevent or promote this type of cancer.
Some of these investigations include the use of herbal supplements, diets high in fat, diets low in fruits and vegetables, consumption of vitamin E and selenium, certain infectious diseases and men's hormonal characteristics.
Biomedical Engineering has played a major part in the development of treatments for prostate cancer and more are in the testing stages such as using semen to test for prostate cancer and heat shock protein 90 that makes tumor cells degrade the proteins that promote cancer growth.
I think we all are aware that certain procedures must be followed before a drug or treatment is allowed to be performed on humans. The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has the responsibility to ensure that the product is safe to put on the market.
The law requires that the drug must have an approved marketing application before it can be transported to other states. Because a wide sampling is usually used in the testing process, it is sometimes necessary to get an exemption to move the drug to some states for the clinical trial.
This preclinical trial will determine if the product is safe enough for human use. If the trials are positive, the drug legal status changes and under specific requirements it is now allowed to be tested on humans.
After the drug approval process, the drugs are monitored by the Center of Drug Evaluation for safety and effectiveness. Programs are set in place that will alert the agency of potential threats to the public health. Preventative actions are then taken by the agency to alleviate the danger.