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Prevent prostate cancer with checkupsOnce a man turns 50, there are two very important tests he must have to ensure he has good prostate health. According to Dr. Randy Shelley, of Paragould Urology, “Once a man turns 50, he needs to go to the doctor for his annual check up and get his PSA tested along with a digital rectal exam. Both exams are very important and both must be taken to learn as much about an individual’s prostate as possible. Each patient is different and we must be able to provide individualized treatment.” The Prostate Specific Antigen (or PSA) is a protein produced by the cells in the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. “The prostate specific antigen tells us a lot about the prostate,” Shelley said. It is typical to have low levels of PSA. If a man has increased PSA levels, it could mean there is just an increased level or that there is a chance of benign prostate conditions and the chance of prostate cancer increases. Benign conditions include prostatitis, or an inflammation of the prostate, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) , or an enlargement of the prostate. In cases of BPH, the prostate will expand around the urethra. “This condition forms in the inner lobes of the prostate, while cancer will form in the outer lobes,” he said. “Men will often need surgery to open the channel. We have to differentiate between the a BPH or a malignant prostatic hyperplasia. But, BPH is very common.” He said, “Treatment for these conditions will often lower the PSA levels.” The digital exam allows the prostate to be checked for cancerous tumors. The earlier cancer can be detected the better, according to Shelley. “There is a better rate of cure the earlier the cancer is detected,” he said. “There are more options available with less side effects when the cancer is caught sooner.” Shelley said once a man reaches the age of 75, the tests aren’t as necessary. He said, however, that a man may choose to continue receiving the PSA and digital exam. “It’s just a personal choice after 75,” he said. He said if caught early, prostate cancer is treatable. He said options include a robotic surgery method, X-Ray therapy, radiation pellets and cryogenics. For older men, there are medications available to control the disease. Shelley noted it is hard to get a man to come in for these checkups and prevention. “It’s hard to get them to come in initially, but it’s getting better with more information out there,” he said. Shelley said in the first three months of this year, he diagnosed 15 new cases of prostate cancer. “That seems kind of high,” he said. “But these men were caught through early detection.” He said those without insurance shouldn’t worry either. In the month of September, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, for example, provides a men’s health fair where men can receive a free PSA screening. He said those men who want a free digital exam as well could come to his office. “There really is no reason not to get checked out,” Shelley said. He said there are 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer per year and around 40,000 men will die each year from the disease. “There really is no reason not to do this test,” he said. He said a healthy, low-fat diet can help. He said foods loaded with antioxidants, lycopenes, selenium and vitamin E are essential. He said eating fruits and vegetables is key as well. Shelley said men will take over the counter prostate supplements. “I tell them that if it works, take them,” he said. The doctor said exercise will help with the aggressiveness of the disease. He said low-fat diets will also help cut the aggressive nature of cancer. “Diets high in fat will often increase the aggressiveness of the disease,” he said. NOTE: Issues on this site regarding men's health and their concerns, are provided for information only, and are not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional. Prostate-Report.org does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment. |
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