When it comes to their health, too many men don’t talk or take action to live a healthier life. Movember aims to raise awareness about some health issues that are most common among men including prostate and testicular cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men and as the name implies, it develops in a man’s prostate, found just below the bladder.
Symptoms & Risks Factors of Prostate Cancer
Frequent urination, blood in urine, difficulty starting or stopping urination and painful urination are some symptoms of prostate cancer. Other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) leading to enlarged prostate or prostatitis can cause similar symptoms to prostate cancer. Therefore, early detection is essential to get exact diagnosis. Risk factors include
- Growing old
- Family history i.e having a father or a brother with prostate cancer
- Obesity
- A diet too low in fruits and vegetables and high in fatty and processed meats which may boost the male hormone levels and fuel the growth of cancerous prostate cells.
Every man can lower his risk by:
- Including more fruits and veggies in his diet
- Limiting high-fat and processed meats
- Opting for whole grains instead of white flour or rice
Recommendations for screening tests:
- 50 for average-risk men
- 40 or 45 for men at high risk i.e having a father or brother diagnosed before age 65
- 40 for men with a one-degree relative diagnosed at a very early age
The good news about this particular type of cancer is that it usually grows slowly, so early screening can make a huge difference in detecting and treating prostate cancer before spreading outside the prostate.