Protecting Your Prostate Health
In November, we take time to raise awareness of men’s health issues like prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers in men worldwide and is the number two cause of cancer deaths among men in South Africa. More than 4 300 South African men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Early screening and diagnosis offers you hope for successful treatment and a long healthy life.
What Is The Prostate?
The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system that sits just below the bladder, in front of the rectum. You probably know that getting older raises your risk of prostate problems because the prostate gets bigger. When a man is in his 20s, his prostate is about the size of a walnut; in his 40s it is the size of an apricot, and by 60, it may be the size of a lemon.
Prostate Problems
The three most common prostate problems are inflammation (prostatitis), enlarged prostate (BPH), and prostate cancer.
1. Prostatitis
Prostatitis is inflammation or enlargement of the prostate gland. Prostatitis is fairly common – at least 50% of men at some time during their lives will have this condition. The good news is that it does not increase the risk of any other prostate disease.
Symptoms of prostatitis:
- Trouble passing urine
- A burning or stinging feeling or pain when passing urine
- Strong, frequent urge to pass urine, even when there is only a small amount of urine
- Chills and high fever
- Low back pain or body aches
- Pain low in the belly, groin, or behind the scrotum
- Painful ejaculation
2. Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Benign means that the growth is not cancerous. The symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH) and prostate cancer may be similar but BPH does not increase your risk of getting prostate cancer.
Symptoms of BPH
- Trouble starting a urine stream or making more than a dribble
- Passing urine often, especially at night
- Feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied
- A strong or sudden urge to pass urine
- Stopping and starting again several times while passing urine
3. Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer tends to grow slowly compared with most other cancers which means it can be identified early and treated early. Cell changes may begin 10, 20, or even 30 years before a tumour gets big enough to cause symptoms. Therefore, screening and early detection are so important.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
- Frequent urge to pass urine, especially at night
- Weak or interrupted urine stream
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Painful ejaculation
- Nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis
Risk Factors
There are three main risk factors for prostate cancer:
- Age: The older a man, the more likely he is to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- Family History: A man with a father or brother who developed prostate cancer is twice as likely to develop the disease.
- Ethnicity: Research has shown that black African men are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer than other race groups. Their cancer is also likely to be more aggressive and hereditary.
Prevention and Screening
Screening is when tests are done to look for cancer before a person has any symptoms. Annual screening from the age of 45 for white men and 40 for black men as well as men who have a family history of prostate cancer or breast cancer helps to detect cancer early. Screening should include a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test and a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE).
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
You have probably heard about PSAs but may not be totally sure what it means. Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced in the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in a man’s blood. High levels of PSA that may indicate the presence of prostate cancer but other conditions, like an enlarged or inflamed prostate, can increase PSA levels too. If the PSA count rises above 4, it raises suspicion of prostate problems.
“There is no magic PSA level below which a man can be assured of having no risk of prostate cancer nor above which a biopsy should automatically be performed. With your doctor, you need to consider, not only your PSA level, but also your other risk factors, overall health status, and the risks and benefits of early detection,” advises Dr Howard Parnes of the National Cancer Institute.
All of us, male and female, need to be pro-active about our health. By recognising the warning signs that may indicate prostate issues, getting regular check-ups and health screenings; managing stress; exercising and eating a balanced low-fat diet, all men can protect their health. Speak to your doctor about which health screenings are right for you based on your age and lifestyle.
If you would like support, guidance or more information on prostate health, please contact us on 0861 GOLIFE (465433), or SMS 43821, or email, golife@healthichoices.com.
References: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: What is Prostate Cancer?; Mayo Clinic: PSA Testing; National Cancer Institute: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test; WebMD: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test; Zero Cancer: The end to prostate cancer; Healthline: 8 Non-Cancerous Causes of High PSA Levels; Medicine Net: PSA Test (Prostate Specific Antigen) CANSA: Men’s Health; Department of Health: Prostate Health; Men’s Foundation: Prostate Cancer; Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa; The Urology Hospital: Prostate Cancer