September brings many things: a new school year for students, Labor Day weekend for vacationers, and a host of college and NFL football games. However, September also brings Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men, affecting 20% of the American male population. This month, learn all that you can about prostate cancer?to protect your own health or that of your loved ones.
Know Your Risk
Men over 50 should be screened for prostate cancer. Men over 40 should be screened if any of the following risk factors are present:
- African American: African American men are 40% more likely to get prostate cancer.
- Family History: Men with an immediate family member with prostate cancer (father, brother) are at an increased risk. The risk increases if those family members were diagnosed younger than age 55.
Understand the Examination
Today doctors use two methods to test for prostate cancer:
- Protein-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a blood test used to detect the presence of prostate cancer.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) involves a doctor using a gloved finger to examine your prostate through your rectum, checking for hard spots or bumps.
Screening is the key to identifying disease early. In the very early stages, cancer is much easier to treat and the treatment is also far more effective.
Know the Facts about Enlarged Prostate
You may have heard that as men age, they are more likely to experience difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. While BPH and prostate cancer are both associated with age, they are NOT related conditions. If you have an enlarged prostate, that alone does not mean that you are more likely to have prostate cancer; however, you should still visit your doctor to treat BPH.
Limit Red Meat and Dairy
Eating a lot of red meat and dairy products has been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Stick to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fish high in omega-3s.
Have questions? Contact us through our Consult-A-Nurse? service at 1-888-359-3552 to seek medical advice or to schedule an appointment. Our Cancer Care program is staffed by highly experienced and qualified doctors, nurses and medical professionals, providing comprehensive care from diagnosis through treatment.
Sources:
American Cancer Society
Prostate Cancer Foundation
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Related Posts:
Can Foods Fight Cancer?
Nutrition Basics for Cancer Patients
Source: http://blog.blakemedicalcenter.com/2011/09/07/prostate-cancer-101/
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