Movember is an annual event that raises awareness about men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health. This year we will delve into prostate diseases and in particular prostate cancer. The three most common forms of prostate diseases are:
- Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), more common in younger men between 30 to 50 years of age;
- Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) amongst older males;
- Prostate cancer
A man may experience one or more of these conditions.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors:
- Age: Men older than 50 years old
- Family history: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles the risk of developing this disease
- Gene mutations
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. However, advanced prostate cancer can sometimes cause symptoms, such as:
- Slow or weak urinary flow
- Blood in the urine
- Feeling that the bladder is not fully emptied after urination
Follow up with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms.
How to lower your risk of prostate cancer?
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stay physically active
- Follow a healthy eating pattern, which includes a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains
- Limit red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and highly processed foods
Screening of prostate cancer can be done using:
- Prostate Specific Antigen Blood test (PSA) level;
- Digital rectal examination (DRE): DRE is less effective than the PSA blood test in finding prostate cancer, but it can sometimes find cancers in men with normal PSA levels;
- An imaging test of the prostate gland, such as MRI or transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) if the initial PSA level is abnormal.
When should you start screening for prostate cancer?
General guidelines recommend starting at the age of 55. However, you may need to start screening earlier between the ages of 40 and 54 if you have father or brother who has had prostate cancer.
References
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer
Lucy E., Rachel E. Perry, Verity A. Leach. A systematic review of dietary, nutritional, and physical activity interventions for the prevention of prostate cancer progression and mortality. Pages 1521–1550 (2015). doi.org/10.1007/s10552-015-0659-4
Better Health Channel: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/prostate-disease#types-of-prostate-disease
American Cancer Society: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/QualityMeasures/Core-Measures