Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital issued the following announcement on Oct. 4.
Since prostates are generally not considered a polite dinner-party topic, chances are nobody’s regularly asking after the health of yours. That’s why the AMITA Health Cancer Institute recommends that all men ask themselves four simple questions during this time of year. Not every guy is a candidate for a prostate cancer screening, but every guy should know how to answer each of these questions:
Who Is at Risk of Prostate Cancer?
As with other types of cancer, research suggests that certain risk factors align with the development of prostate cancer, particularly race/ethnicity, age, family history and genetics. The following groups are considered at increased risk of prostate cancer:
Older men
African-American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry
Men with a family history of prostate cancer, particularly if one’s brother or father has ever been diagnosed
Men with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer — it might surprise you, but these cancers are predominantly associated with the inheritance of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which can be inherited by the male, increasing one’s risk of prostate cancer
Although there is no surefire way to prevent prostate cancer, certain lifestyle adjustments — such as staying physically active and consuming at least two and a half cups of vegetables and fruit per day — can potentially lower the odds. Talk to your primary care doctor about other lifestyle adjustments that might minimize your risk of cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, if you are experiencing any of the following, consider scheduling a prostate exam with your doctor:
Difficulty urinating
Presence of blood in your urine
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Pain in the hips, chest, spine or ribs
Weakness in the legs
Loss of bladder or bowel control
What Are My Screening Options?
If there is any good news about prostate cancer, it’s that current screening methods can help find prostate cancer at an early stage when the disease is most treatable. Two common screening methods are widely used:
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test: This antigen is produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland, so an elevated level in the blood (generally 4.0 ng/mL or higher) can be an early indicator of cancer
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): During this screening, a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities; this is typically performed in conjunction with the PSA test to help ensure accurate diagnosis
When Should I Get Screened, and How Often?
The American Cancer Society recommends the following screening schedules:
If you are a man without any significant risk factors, start getting screened annually by your doctor at age 50
If you are African-American or a Caribbean man of African ancestry, start getting screened annually at age 45
If you have a father or brother who received a prostate cancer diagnosis prior to their 65th birthday, start getting screened annually at age 45
If you have two or more close relatives who received a prostate cancer diagnosis prior to their 65th birthday, start getting screened annually at age 40
If you meet any of the above criteria, talk to your doctor about getting screened for prostate cancer. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, find an AMITA Health doctor near you and book an appointment online.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital
Alerts Sign-up