What is prostate cancer?
A tumor forms in the tissue of the prostate (a small gland in the male reproductive that makes fluid to carry sperm. The prostate is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum).
Prostate cancer one of the most common cancers in men, About 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime
How do I know my prostate cancer risk?
- Age: Risk of prostate cancer goes up as men get older.
- Family history of prostate cancer: A man’s risk for developing prostate cancer is higher if his father or brother has the disease.
- Diet and dietary factors: Diets high in fat, high in red or processed meats & high in milk and dairy products
- Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis)
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Obesity & lack of exercise.
- Smoking
- Radiation exposure
- Sexually transmitted viruses
What do I look for?
Many men with prostate cancer often have no symptoms. If symptoms appear, they can include:
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Intense need to urinate (urgency)
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Pain or burning feeling while urinating
- The inability to urinate;
- A sense of incompletely emptying the bladder
- The need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Painful ejaculation
- Constant pain in the lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs
How I can protect myself?
- Stay at a healthy weight
- Be physically active
- Eat fruits and vegetables:
- Diets that high in vegetables, fruits or fish may be lower the risk of prostate cancer
- Diets that high in calcium may be increase the risk of prostate cancer, so make sense to limit calcium supplements in the diet (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).
- Avoid stress as much as you can
- Avoid smoking & alcohol
What is prostate cancer screening?
There are many tests available for prostate cancer screening:
- Digital rectal examination
- DRE is the most common way to check for prostate cancer.
- Most prostate cancers develop in the peripheral zone of the prostate that is closest to the rectum and can easily be felt by the doctor during a DRE.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
- The PSA test helps detect problems with the prostate, including prostate cancer. It measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood.
- Prostate ultrasound
- Prostate biopsy
If you have any of the symptoms that might be a sign of prostate cancer, see your doctor as soon as possible. Keep in mind that these symptoms are also caused by other prostate problems that are not cancer, such as an infection or an enlarged prostate but you must check.