PROSTATE CANCERPROSTATE CANCER

What you should know about Prostate What you should know about Prostate Cancer:Cancer:

Prostate cancer is the most common Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. men, other than skin cancer.

Prostate cancer is the Prostate cancer is the second leading second leading cause of cancer death in mencause of cancer death in men. Lung . Lung cancer is the first. cancer is the first.

Possibly because of the raised Possibly because of the raised awareness, the disease is being found awareness, the disease is being found earlier and the death rate for prostate earlier and the death rate for prostate cancer is going down as well.cancer is going down as well.

PROSTATE CANCERPROSTATE CANCER

SYMPTOMSSYMPTOMS EARLY:EARLY: There is usually There is usually NONO symptom. symptom. LATE:LATE:

Problem with the urine flow:Problem with the urine flow:• HesitancyHesitancy• Incomplete emptying of the bladderIncomplete emptying of the bladder

Blood in the urineBlood in the urine Weigh lossWeigh loss

PROSTATE CANCERPROSTATE CANCER

FINDING PROSTATE CANCERFINDING PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing the amount of Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing the amount of PSA PSA (prostate-specific antigen)(prostate-specific antigen) in your blood. in your blood.

Another way prostate cancer is found early is when the doctor does a Another way prostate cancer is found early is when the doctor does a digital digital rectal exam (DRE).rectal exam (DRE). Because the prostate gland lies just in front of the Because the prostate gland lies just in front of the rectum, during the exam the doctor can feel if there are any bumps or hard rectum, during the exam the doctor can feel if there are any bumps or hard places on the prostate. These might be cancer. places on the prostate. These might be cancer.

If you have had routine yearly exams and either one of these test results If you have had routine yearly exams and either one of these test results becomes abnormal, any becomes abnormal, any cancer you might have has probably been found at cancer you might have has probably been found at an early, more treatable stage.an early, more treatable stage.

The The definitive diagnosisdefinitive diagnosis is made by a needle biopsy. is made by a needle biopsy.

Since about 1990 it has become more common for men to have tests to find Since about 1990 it has become more common for men to have tests to find prostate cancer early. The prostate cancer death rate has dropped, too. prostate cancer early. The prostate cancer death rate has dropped, too.

PROSTATE CANCERPROSTATE CANCER

The Screening: What the American Cancer Society RecommendsThe Screening: What the American Cancer Society Recommends

Annual PSA blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam),Annual PSA blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam), beginning at age 50 to men who do not have any major beginning at age 50 to men who do not have any major medical problems and can be expected to live at least medical problems and can be expected to live at least 10 10 more years. more years.

Men at high risk should begin testing at age 45. Men at high risk should begin testing at age 45.

Men at high risk include African American men and men who Men at high risk include African American men and men who have a close relative (father, brother, or son) who had have a close relative (father, brother, or son) who had

prostate cancer before age 65. prostate cancer before age 65.

Men at even higher risk (because they have several close Men at even higher risk (because they have several close relatives with prostate cancer at an early age) could relatives with prostate cancer at an early age) could begin begin testing at age 40. testing at age 40.

PROSTATE CANCERPROSTATE CANCER

Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?

Because we don’t know the exact cause of prostate cancer, it is not Because we don’t know the exact cause of prostate cancer, it is not possible to prevent most cases of the disease. But some cases possible to prevent most cases of the disease. But some cases might be prevented. might be prevented.

Diet:Diet: You may be able to reduce your risk of prostate cancer by You may be able to reduce your risk of prostate cancer by changing the way you eat. The ACS suggests:changing the way you eat. The ACS suggests:

Eating less red meat and fat and eating more vegetables, fruits, and Eating less red meat and fat and eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.whole grains.

Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and watermelon are rich in substances Tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and watermelon are rich in substances

(lycopenes) that help prevent damage to DNA and may help lower (lycopenes) that help prevent damage to DNA and may help lower prostate cancer risk.prostate cancer risk. Research on this is still going on. Research on this is still going on.

Some studies suggest that taking vitamin E daily may lower the risk of Some studies suggest that taking vitamin E daily may lower the risk of prostate cancer. But others have found that vitamin E has no impact on prostate cancer. But others have found that vitamin E has no impact on cancer risk and might raise the risk for some kinds of heart disease. cancer risk and might raise the risk for some kinds of heart disease.

Selenium, a mineral, may also lower risk. Selenium, a mineral, may also lower risk. A research study revealed that a A research study revealed that a "chemical found in green tea appears "chemical found in green tea appears

to slow the progression of prostate cancer."to slow the progression of prostate cancer."

PROSTATE CANCERPROSTATE CANCER

The final words…The final words…

Prostate cancer is highly treatable if detected early.Prostate cancer is highly treatable if detected early.

So, please: So, please: See your primary care provider if you’re at risk for prostate cancer and See your primary care provider if you’re at risk for prostate cancer and have not had the screenings (DRE & PSA) done for a year or more.have not had the screenings (DRE & PSA) done for a year or more.

Help spread the awareness.Help spread the awareness.

The Wellness Center offers the PSA testing, with or without The Wellness Center offers the PSA testing, with or without other blood tests. Please call or email me if you’d like to other blood tests. Please call or email me if you’d like to get this test done.get this test done.

Thank you!Thank you!