A cancer diagnosis of any kind is the stuff of nightmares, but when it comes to prostate cancer, the news may not be all bad thanks to early detection, innovative treatments, and the nature of the disease. Here’s what you should know.
If you are over the age of 40 you need to continue reading this, so don’t click your back button. Let’s have a real talk about Prostate Cancer; what you need to know about it and what you can do to reduce your risk of developing it. Prostate cancer is more common in men than breast cancer is in women, and rarely occurs in males under the age of 40 according to government studies. It is the second leading cancer diagnosis in men after skin cancer. The good news about Prostate Cancer is if you catch it early and check your prostate annually your chances of dying from it are greatly reduced. The facts are that most prostate cancers grow very slowly and usually does not affect a man’s well-being; in fact, most men die from other causes before prostate cancer can kill them. That being said, there are some things you need to know about this disease and what you can do to reduce your risks as early detection is the key to surviving it.
While there is limited concrete evidence on how to reduce your risk of Prostate Cancer, there is three evidence backed risk factors you cannot control — your age, your ethnicity and genetic heredity.
You always hear Dr. Cornell on his radio show mentioning PSA tests. Using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, your doctor can monitor you yearly for prostate cancer cell development. Dr. Cornell recommends going a step further and getting a digital rectal exam (DRE). The PSA alone is a good test but the DRE works in tandem with a PSA to paint a much clearer picture of your prostate. If caught early, prostate cancer will have minimal impact in most cases and you can live a full and healthy life. The process for both tests is painless, with a DRE only giving minor discomfort during the procedure. The benefit far outweighs that minor inconvenience once a year.
The problem with prostate cancer is there are rarely detectable signs early on, so if you begin to see these symptoms it is likely the cancer has already progressed. Yet just another reason Dr. Cornell is a strong advocate for yearly PSA and DRE exams. Symptoms include but are not limited to:
These symptoms may also be due to another medical condition so do not be alarmed, the best course of action is always to see your physician for a proper diagnosis and exam.
While you can’t eliminate the risk of prostate cancer you can reduce it and make some lifestyle and diet adjustments that will not only reduce risk but improve your overall health in the process.
If you have a question about prostate cancer and prevention and you are over 40, the first step is to get up and make an appointment for your PSA and DRE exam with Dr. Cornell. Be proactive with your health!
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