by Nikki Denton
For New Pittsburgh Courier
Men, let’s talk about prostate health.
Do you find yourself going to the bathroom more than once during the night regularly? Have you discovered that your urine flow has weakened or is intermittent? Have you noticed blood in your urine or semen?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, it may be time to talk to your health care professional about prostate issues.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits under the bladder in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the narrow tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. The prostate gland grows a good bit during puberty and then doesn’t change much until about age 40, when it begins growing again and, in many men, doesn’t stop. Half of men aren’t bothered by their growing prostate. But the others will develop one of three prostate diseases; enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, or prostatitis. Other symptoms include painful or burning urination, difficulty with obtaining and keeping an erection, painful urination and ejaculation, and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
Risk factors
Age: Jeff Cohen, MD, urologist at Allegheny General Hospital, says that age is the number one risk factor in prostate cancer. “If they live long enough, most men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, because it’s a normal degeneration of the prostate.”
The incidence of prostate issues, including cancer, rises rapidly each decade after age 40. For example, the probability of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is 1 in 7,964 for men younger than 40 years, 1 in 37 for men aged 40 through 59 years, one in 15 for men aged 60 through 69 years, and 1 in 8 for men aged 70 years and older, with an overall lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer of 1 in 6. However, Cohen warns that autopsy studies reveal that the incidence of prostate cancer in males in there 20s is already 8 percent. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men.
Race: Cohen is particularly interested in treating and advising African-American men with prostate problems because the death rate of prostate cancer deaths among Black males is alarming. Is race a factor? According to the Centers for Disease Control race is a factor, especially being African-American. Black males are more likely to die of prostate cancer than any other racial group, followed by White, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander men.
Heredity: Having a first degree relative who had prostate issues also can put you at risk.
Prevention
As it is the natural degeneration of the prostate gland, there is no proven prostate cancer prevention strategy, however, it is generally recommended that men with an average risk make choices that benefit their overall health such as regular exercise and adopting sensible and healthy eating habits.
The medical community has no definitive agreement regarding the benefits of prostate cancer screening, though it is thought that regular screening can lead to finding and treating prostate cancer early, which results in more treatment options with potentially fewer side effects.
Digital rectal exam: During a DRE, the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to examine the prostate. Abnormalities in the texture, shape or size of the prostate gland, may lead the doctor to order additional testing.
Prostate-specific antigen test: A blood test that analyzes for PSA, a substance that’s naturally produced by the prostate gland. Small amounts of PSA are normally found in a man’s bloodstream, however, higher than normal levels may indicate prostate infection, inflammation, enlargement or cancer.
“PSA testing has pushed the diagnosis of prostate cancer back a good five to 10 years,” says Cohen. “We are seeing men much earlier and know where they stand regarding prostate health. If caught early, prostate cancer is treatable and can give the patient a better quality of life once diagnosed.”
It is recommended that African-American men should begin to have prostate screenings annually after age 40. The screening frequency can decrease after about age 70.
Treatment
There are many treatment options when it comes to prostate cancer:
Active Surveillance: This conservative option includes carefully monitoring the cancer for any progression. Active surveillance, or watchful waiting, is a viable option for men who decide not to undergo immediate surgery or radiation therapy.
Prostatectomy: This option involves the removal of all or part of the prostate.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation involves the killing of cancer cells and surrounding tissues with directed radioactive exposure.
Hormone Therapy: This option stops the body from producing testosterone, the fuel that cancer cells thrive on. By cutting off the source of fuel, the cancer cells may die or retard their growth.
Chemotherapy: The use of chemicals to kill or halt the growth of cancer cells.
The most important thing in dealing with prostate or any other health care matter is having an open and honest dialogue with your health care provider. Be sure to discuss your symptoms and follow-up with all testing and appointments. Doing so just could save your life.
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