Prostate Cancer Awareness

Hey Everyone- Hope you’re all having a great start to your fall! Weather is cooling off, football is kicking off, and as you may or may not know, September is prostate cancer awareness month. 

As a men’s sexual wellness company focused on the prostate, we feel it is our duty to spread awareness for prostate cancer and other men’s health and wellness topics. Too often men neglect their physical and mental health and suffer the consequences as a result.

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. While prostate cancer can be a serious disease, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer successfully undergo treatment and do not die from it. 

What is Prostate Cancer? 

Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells form and grow in the prostate gland. It begins when cells in the prostate, a small gland situated between the testicle and anus and below the bladder, start to grow uncontrollably. Early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial in managing the disease effectively.

Causes

• Age: As men age, their risk of getting prostate cancer goes up. Harm to the DNA (or genetic material) of prostate cells is more likely for men over the age of 55.
• Ethnicity: African American men have a higher rate of the disease. One in six African American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer occurs less often in Asian American and Hispanic/Latino men than in non-Hispanic white men.
• Family History: Men who have a grandfather, father or brother with prostate cancer face a higher risk of getting the disease. Having family members with breast and ovarian cancer also raises a man’s risk for prostate cancer.
• Weight: Studies link being overweight in your 50s and later to a greater risk of advanced prostate cancer. Doctors advise keeping to a healthy weight to reduce risk.

Symptoms

In its early stages, prostate cancer may have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can be urinary symptoms like those of an enlarged prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Talk with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

• Dull pain in the lower pelvic zone
• Frequent need to pass urine
• Trouble passing urine, pain, burning or weak urine flow
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Painful ejaculation
• Pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
• Loss of hunger
• Loss of weight
• Bone pain

Diagnosis/Screening

Regular screenings are crucial, especially for men over 50 or those with a family history of the disease. Catching prostate cancer early on gives you a great chance to successfully treat it.

• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: The PSA blood test measures a protein in your blood called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer, but can also be caused by other conditions, such as an enlarged or inflamed prostate.
• Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): During this exam, a doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate for any abnormalities.

If screening tests show an issue with the prostate, a prostate biopsy may be performed. 

Treatment

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer and other factors:

• Watchful Waiting or Active Surveillance: Suitable for low-risk cancers, it involves regular monitoring without immediate treatment.
• Surgery: A prostatectomy involves the removal of the prostate gland and is effective for localized cancers.
• Radiation Therapy: External beam radiation or brachytherapy (radioactive seeds) target and kill cancer cells.
• Hormone Therapy: Reduces levels of male hormones to stop the growth of cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Drugs used to kill or halt the growth of rapidly multiplying cancer cells.

**Complications from treatment
**Treatment of prostate cancer may lead to some of the below side effects.

• Urinary Incontinence: Difficulty controlling urine is common after treatment.
• Erectile Dysfunction: Many treatments can result in difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
• Spread of Cancer: If not detected or treated timely, prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body, making treatment more challenging.

Prevention Tips

• Diet: Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit red meats and high-fat dairy products.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight increases the risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk.
• Limit Calcium Intake: Excessive calcium might be linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
• Discuss Medications: Some drugs, such as finasteride, have been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.

In Conclusion

Having an understanding and awareness of prostate cancer, its risk factors, and early detection methods can make a significant difference in outcomes. Make sure to check in on you and your loved ones physical and mental health and encourage them to get screened if applicable.