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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and with one in six men developing the disease, there is no better time than now to educate and bring awareness. Prostate cancer will affect more than 240,890 men this year according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The most important factor in detecting prostate cancer is annual testing. While some critics claim that prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing may sometimes lead to over-diagnosis and unnecessary surgery, many men credit the test with saving their lives.
Prostate cancer survivor Alfred Diggs is a firm believer in the test. As an African American, Diggs knew he was at a higher risk of developing the disease, and began annual PSA testing at age 35. Twenty years later, his annual testing revealed that he had prostate cancer. He underwent a prostatectomy and remained cancer free for 11 years. Diggs recently learned that he has recurrent prostate cancer and is undergoing radiation, but he remains confident that he will overcome the disease. He credits the PSA and the digital rectal exam (DRE) tests with saving his life.
The PSA is a simple test that determines levels of a type of protein that can indicate prostate cancer when found in high levels in the blood. The DRE is a test in which the shape, size and texture of the prostate is medically evaluated. Without the PSA test, many more men would fall victim to the leading male cancer, says Pacific Urology prostate specialist Dr. Stephen Taylor.
“Annual testing is imperative for prostate health, says Dr. Taylor. “While the PSA test does not indicate prostate cancer, it is a first step in what may be many steps to determine what is best for a patient’s overall health. When detected and treated early on, prostate cancer is a very manageable and curable disease.”
Diggs is such a firm believer in early prevention that he now works diligently to promote prostate cancer awareness. Ten years ago he helped develop an American Cancer Society speaker’s bureau and continues to create presentations and train ACS organizations.
“The more people who know about prostate cancer, the more we can save people from dying from the disease,” he says. “It hasn’t been an easy road, but I am happy to be here and celebrating life.”
Statistical data shows that men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a relative 5-year survival rate of nearly 100% and a relative 10-year survival rate of 91%. To improve your health and prevent prostate cancer, Dr. Taylor has shared five simple steps to follow.
Five Steps to Prostate Cancer Prevention:
Test Annually
Men should undergo annual prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test screenings and digital rectal exams (DRE) starting at age 50 or earlier. High risk patients such as African American men and men with a first degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger age should begin testing at age 45.
Listen to Your Body
If you notice unexpected changes in your health, be diligent in addressing them. A change in the frequency, urgency and pressure during urination, painful urination or the presence of blood in urine is a warning sign. Painful ejaculation, blood in the semen and erectile dysfunction as well as bone pain and pelvic discomfort are additional warning signs.
Diet & Alcohol Intake
Eat healthy, balanced meals rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Some studies show that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and mackerel), soy products, legumes, drinking green tea and getting Vitamin D in your diet may reduce cancer risk. Limit yourself to no more than two drinks per day as studies show that regular heavy drinking increases prostate cancer risk.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Quite simply, a healthy body can fight disease. While a direct link between obesity and prostate cancer has not been established, obesity may affect hormone levels related to prostate cancer risk as well as increase the risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Exercise
Regular exercise keeps your body healthy and in shape. It is recommended to do at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to seven times per week.
For more information on prostate cancer, visit the Pacific Urology website.
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About Pacific Urology
With clinics in Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Brentwood, San Ramon, and Livermore, Pacific Urology is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s largest urology practices. Pacific Urology restores urologic health for men, women and children through treatment of various health issues such as prostate cancer and treatment, vasectomy and vasectomy reversal, kidney stones, bladder and kidney cancer, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, infertility and more. Pacific Urology was formed over 16 years ago and is comprised of Dr. Jeremy Lieb, Dr. Stephen Taylor, Dr. Judson Brandeis, Dr. Brian Hopkins, Dr. Parminder Sethi and Dr. Donald Hay. Pacific Urology has won numerous awards for patient satisfaction and offers a combined expertise of nearly a century of collective experience in urologic health. www.PacificUrology.com
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