Men's Health Includes Prostate Health

~ by Richard Sgaglio

Men’s Health Includes Prostate Health

September is designated as National Prostate Health Awareness Month in the United States, and with good cause. The American Cancer Society estimates that one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in our country. It often affects older men, and your ethnicity can also be a factor. African American men have a higher incidence of prostate cancer than their White, Hispanic, or Asian counterparts. Because many men believe prostate health is an embarrassing subject to talk about, they may ignore issues until there is a problem. One of the goals of a National Prostate Health Month is to bring the subject to the forefront and take away the stigma.

Prostate Cancer Can Be Inherited

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (“PCF”), scientists have found 16 specific genes that can run in families and make the prevalence of prostate cancer higher. This is similar to what we have learned over the years about the connection between genetics and breast cancer. These inherited genes can also be responsible for ovarian, colon, pancreatic, and brain cancers.  The PCF notes that many men may not know whether their ancestors had prostate cancer, as it was not something men discussed. There is a shortage of genetic counselors who focus only on prostate cancer, and relying on a self-administered genetic test can be risky.

Screenings Can Be a Life-Saver

Fortunately, today prostate cancer is usually found at an early stage, via a physical exam or laboratory test. Many physicians screen their male patients during an annual check-up, and men can also take advantage of preventative services to determine if their prostate is healthy.

A blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced in the prostate, remains the most effective tool for screening for prostate cancer. A PSA level higher than 4.0 nanograms/deciliter may indicate that the patient has prostate cancer, although an elevated PSA can occur in other conditions.  

According to The Cleveland Clinic, a leading healthcare organization, when a high PSA level is detected, the patient’s healthcare provider may order tests such as urinalysis, urodynamic tests, cystoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, rectal ultrasound, biopsy, and imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans. Once the results of these tests are gathered, the doctor uses this information to determine the best course of treatment, as there is no “one size fits all” solution.

Prostate Cancer Treatment is Individual

Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, most men don’t die from it unless it goes untreated. The American Cancer Society reports that more than 2.9 million men in the United  States diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. Perhaps this is due to both the reduced stigma in talking about the disease and the treatments and testing available today.

According to the American Cancer Society, the following are just some of the treatment options:

Surgery
Radiation
Cryotherapy
Hormone therapy
Chemotherapy

Men and their physicians should discuss multiple factors related to treatment, including the patient’s age, stage of his cancer, other health conditions, potential side effects, sexual issues, and the likelihood of a cure.

Early Screening and Treatment Saves Lives

The PCF recently outlined two new options under FDA review that may be used to effectively treat advanced prostate cancer. In the meantime, laboratory tests are currently the most important tool we have to determine the best treatment options for men with prostate cancer. There is no argument in the medical community that early detection and early treatment provide the best outcomes for men with prostate cancer. Let’s stop being embarrassed talking about men’s health issues. In the long run, it will help us lead better, healthier, and happier lives.

The information in the above article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.