What are the symptoms of
prostate cancer to watch for?
Prostate cancer is a formidable
foe that kills tens
of thousands of men every
year.
The World Cancer Research
Fund International notes that
age-adjusted incidence rates of
prostate cancer have increased
dramatically, citing the increased
availability of screening
for prostate-specifi c antigen,
or PSA, for helping to fi nd
prostate cancer in men who
otherwise might never know
they were sick.
In fact, the Prostate Cancer
Foundation notes that there
usually aren’t any early warning
signs for prostate cancer,
which only highlights the importance
of routine screenings.
Tumors resulting from
prostate cancer may not push
against anything to cause pain,
even as they are growing. So
men who do not receive routine
COURIER L 18 IFE, SEPT. 11-17, 2020
prostate cancer screenings
may live for years with the disease
without knowing it.
Such screenings can be a
great ally in the fi ght against
prostate cancer, but men can
also remain on the lookout for
potential signs of the disease.
In rare cases, prostate cancer
can produce the following
symptoms, which men should
immediately bring to the attention
of their physician.
Issues with urination
A need to urinate frequently,
especially at night, might be a
symptom of prostate cancer.
Some men may experience
diffi culty starting or holding
back urination; those who are
experiencing these symptoms
should contact their physician.
Men with prostate cancer
may experience weak, dribbling
or interrupted fl ow of
urination. Such issues may be
symptomatic of other conditions,
so men should not immediately
assume they have cancer.
Erection issues
Some men experience diffi
culty in having an erection,
and that may or may not be a
byproduct of prostate cancer.
Men may also notice a decrease
in ejaculate or experience
painful ejaculations.
While these symptoms are not
always a result of prostate cancer,
they should be reported to
a physician who can then take
measures to confi rm or rule out
the presence of cancer.
Other symptoms
The PCF notes that conditions
such as prostatitis and
benign prostatic hypertrophy,
or BPH, are common, benign
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diseases that can cause symptoms
similar to prostate cancer.
But men should still report
symptoms such as blood in
their urine or semen; pressure
or pain in their rectum; and/or
pain or stiffness in their lower
back, hips, pelvis, or thighs to
their physicians the moment
they begin to feel such symptoms.
Men concerned about
prostate cancer or interested
in learning more about screenings
can visit pcf.org for more
information
— Metro Creative Connection
Men’s Health
n recognition of Prostate
Cancer Awareness Month,
Dr. Alfred C. Winkler,
chief of urology at NewYork-
Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
Hospital and assistant
professor of clinical urology
at Weill Cornell Medicine, offers
tips on what men need to
know about prostate cancer,
which is the most common
cancer in American men after
skin cancer, according to the
American Cancer Society.
“Older men are most likely
to develop prostate cancer, but
race, family history, physical
health, and lifestyle also play a
role in who is at risk,” says Dr.
Winker. “Following healthy dietary
guidelines, making simple
lifestyle changes and getting
recommended screenings
can reduce the risk of prostate
cancer, but men in high-risk
groups should be under a physician’s
care.”
Here are Dr. Winkler’s tips:
. Studies have shown
that obesity—a BMI greater
than 30—is a risk factor for
many medical conditions, including
prostate cancer. Reduce
the risk by eating a wellbalanced
diet, limiting the
consumption of fatty foods, exercising
and and maintaining
a healthy weight.
Heavy
consumption of red meat has
been associated with PhIP, a
chemical compound released
when red meat is charred,
which may increase the risk of
prostate cancer. By eating red
meat only on special occasions,
you can reduce your risk.
: Green, leafy vegetables,
such as spinach, kale and
broccoli, contain vitamins and
antioxidants that keep your
prostate healthy.
According to the CDC,
screening recommendations
for prostate cancer differ for
men in high-risk or averagerisk
groups. Those at greatest
risk include African Americans,
people of Scandinavian
descent, and anyone who has
two or more family members
who were diagnosed with prostate
cancer. Members of highrisk
groups should consider
getting screened for prostate
cancer starting at age 40. Men
who are at normal risk are encouraged
to consider screenings
starting at age 55.
African American men have
the highest risk of developing
prostate cancer and twice the
risk of dying from the disease.
Men with a father or brother
who had prostate cancer are
twice as likely to develop the
disease, and the risk escalates
if the relative was diagnosed
before the age of 55. If you are
in a high-risk group, speak to
your physician about the risks
and benefits of yearly rectal exams
and PSA tests.
Exercise has a preventive effect
on many conditions that
affect prostate health. Even
30 minutes of moderate activity
each day, like a brisk walk
or jog, can have far-reaching
health benefits.
Drinking
water can help keep your prostate
healthy and has many
health benefits. Drink at least
eight glasses of water every
day, and consume water during
and after exercise.
Although
stress may not directly cause
prostate issues, long-term
stress can weaken the immune
system, alter your hormonal
balance, and make you more
susceptible to disease. Meditation
is a great way to forget
about daily pressures and can
also help improve your mental
health.
Smoking
contributes to some of the leading
causes of death in men. The
carbon monoxide in tobacco attaches
to red blood cells until
the cell dies, which can cause
prostate cancer and other diseases.
If you’re a smoker, talk
to your doctor about the best
plan to quit.
For more information about
prostate cancer or to make an
appointment for a prostate cancer
screening at NewYork-Presbyterian
Brooklyn Methodist
Hospital, please call 718-230-
7788.
/pcf.org