Allied Wellness is committed to raising prostate cancer awareness. We are doing more to inform our members about prostate cancer, its risk factors, early signs, and prevention during National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September as well as the rest of the year. Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men in the United States and claims 30,000 lives annually. Though when caught early, it is very treatable.
Risk Factors
Some of the known risk factors of prostate cancer are age, race, family history, and obesity. The risk of prostate cancer increases as men age and studies reveal that black men carry a greater risk than men of other races. Black men are also more likely to experience aggressive or advanced disease. When it comes to family risk, men whose mothers or sisters have had breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes) may have a greater risk for prostate cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
In its early stages, prostate cancer may not show any symptoms at all. However, in the most advanced states, it can cause trouble urinating, decreased force in the stream of urine, blood in semen, discomfort in the pelvic area, bone pain, and erectile dysfunction (2019).
Prevention
Some of the habits that may decrease the risk of prostate cancer are:
• Eating a low–fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Maintenance of a healthy weight
• Keeping active – some studies show that men who exercise have lower risks of prostate cancer (2020).
• Avoiding use of tobacco products
Ask your doctor to be screened with a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test especially if you are at higher risk.
References
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors. (2020). Retrieved August 18, 2020, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Prostate cancer. (2019, April 17). Retrieved August 18, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353087
