Prostate Health
Universal recommendations are for men to keep annual medical appointments and screenings that follow prostate cancer testing guidelines, especially in high-risk populations of a family history of prostate cancer and men of African descent. Early-stage prostate cancer usually has no symptoms, thus early detection through screening is key. We encourage men to become familiar with informed decision-making when consulting their physicians.
Adopt a generally beneficial lifestyle. Heart healthy = prostate healthy.
Prostate Facts:
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It's a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the rectum.
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It's part of the male reproductive system. It produces a fluid that protects and nourishes sperm necessary for reproduction.
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It also wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the body through the penis. This is why prostate health issues can cause problems with urination.
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Prostate cancer occurs when cancer cells begin to grow in the prostate tissue. If those cells travel out of the prostate to distant parts of the body, it is called metastatic prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors:
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High risk baseline baseline: average prostate specific antigen (PSA) increases with age. Men with a higher than average baseline that is not due to certain conditions or activities are at the greatest risk for future development of aggressive prostate cancer. Consider a baseline prostate screening at 40, when elevations are less likely to be caused by enlargement or other prostate conditions.
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Other risk factors include race/ethnicity, family history of cancer/genetic mutations, some chemical exposures (such as Agent Orange), obesity/unhealthy diet - and age. If a man lives long enough he will develop prostate health problems.