Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, excluding skin cancers. At this time, one in five American men will get prostate cancer before they die. These are the figures from the American College of Preventive Medicine. Prostate cancer is second only to lung cancer for causing death in American men. This is a disease mostly older men acquire.
Prostate cancer shows no symptoms in its early stages. With advanced prostate cancer, the symptoms are: Trouble urinating; decreased force in one's urine stream; blood in semen; leg swelling; pelvic area discomfort, and bone pain. Anyone suffering from any of these symptoms should see a doctor immediately for a screening. The two prostate cancer screening tools are the DRE and the PSA. Both are highly effective in detecting prostate cancer.
These sobering facts make the following research all the more hopeful: New clinical studies are showing very promising results in the fight against prostate cancer. Men who get the most exercise early in life have a lower incidence of prostate cancer than men who get little or no exercise. This fitness examiner has written about several diseases that can possibly be prevented with exercise. It is time to take responsibility for our health, and demand of ourselves to make exercise as essential to our daily routine as brushing our teeth.
Diet can also make a difference. Men, eat lots of tomatoes and marinara sauce! The lycopene in tomatoes---both raw and cooked---help a lot. Avoiding high fat foods, and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains.
If a doctor determines you are at high risk for getting prostate cancer, there is a drug you can take to prevent or delay prostate cancer. Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) has been shown effective, but this drug is used only for those men who are especially at risk. Finasteride has possible sexual side effects.
Once you have prostate cancer, you have choices as to how you wish to cure the disease. You can opt for the standard open radical prostatectomy surgery, where the prostate is removed. You can also choose Cyberknife surgery. Reno Cyberknife is a local place to seek information about this new technology. Their number is 775-348-9900. The cyberknife uses a highly targeted beam of radiation that does not harm healthy tissues. The body is not opened for this procedure. This prostate cancer procedure is called the minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP). Its benefits are a shorter hospital stay, fewer blood transfusions, and a lower risk of respiratory or other surgical complications. Unfortunately, with this procedure comes twice the risk of genitourinary complications, a 30% increased risk of incontinence, and a 40% increased risk of erectile dysfunction eighteen months after the MIRP.
Young men need to exercise a lot and eat a lot of tomatoes. Teach your sons to do the same. For older men, hang in there and get through it. Take care of yourselves and heal. Your healing will go better if you are good to yourselves. Doing things that give you joy will remind you how good life is. You will know why you fought the disease so hard in order to stay alive. The best is yet to come. Joy to all!
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