South DSM News

PELLA, Iowa– In observance of National Cancer Prevention Month, Pella Regional Health Center is reminding the public about the importance of talking to their healthcare provider about prostate cancer. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. According the American Cancer Society, 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men and in non-Hispanic Black men. About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age of men at diagnosis is about 66.

Most prostate cancers are found early, through screening. Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. More advanced prostate cancers can sometimes cause symptoms, such as:

• Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED)
• Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord
• Most of these problems are more likely to be caused by something other than prostate cancer. It’s important to tell your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

The American Cancer Society also recommends changes in diet and activity to possibly reduce the risk of prostate cancer is to:

• Get to and stay at a healthy weight.
• Keep physically active.
• Follow a healthy eating pattern, which includes a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and avoids or limits red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and highly processed foods.To learn more about way to possibly reduce the risk of prostate cancer, go to the American Cancer Society Guidelines for Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention.

Starting at age 45, men at higher than average risk of prostate cancer should talk with a doctor about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of testing so they can decide if they want to be tested. This includes African American men and men with close family members (father, brother, son) who had prostate cancer before age 65.

Men with more than one close relative who had prostate cancer before age 65 are at even higher risk and should talk with a provider about testing starting at age 40. To talk with your provider about prostate cancer screenings at Pella Regional Health Center, call 641-621-2200 or go to https://www.pellahealth.org/request-an-appointment/

Original source can be found here.