Holzer Recognizes Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Holzer joins the American Cancer Society (ACS) in recognizing September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. It is estimated that in 2014, 233,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed, about 29,400 men will die of prostate cancer, and about one in 7 will have a diagnosis of prostate cancer in his lifetime.
The average age for diagnosis is 66 years. One man in 36 will die of prostate cancer. Even so, prostate cancer is usually a slow growing cancer. Today, over 2 million men count themselves as prostate cancer survivors. Prostate cancer can be treated and the sooner diagnosed; the better outcome that is expected. If you have other prostate issues, such as an enlarged prostate and it’s causing you discomfort, you’ll want to look into pills for enlarged prostate.

The causes of prostate cancer are unclear, but some studies do suggest the following:
• Slightly less risk is present in men with regular or vigorous exercise. Excess weight may suggest a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
• Diets high in tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, soy, beans, or fish may be associated with a slightly lower risk.
• In some studies, high calcium diets have shown a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer.

According to the ACS, the best advice to reduce the risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is to :
• Eat two and a half cups of a variety of fruits and vegetables every day ,
• Be physically active, and
• Stay at a healthy weight.

The ACS also reports that early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Advanced prostate cancers can cause some symptoms, such as:
• Problems passing urine, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night,
• Blood in the urine,
• Trouble getting an erection,
• Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas,
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.

Other diseases can also cause many of these same symptoms. However, it is important to tell your doctor if you have any of these problems so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Current recommendations to detect prostate cancer early include an annual prostate exams and PSA test [prostate specific antigen] for men 50 years and over, and men with a family history of prostate cancer or of African-American descent should have annual exams beginning at age 40.

For more information on prostate cancer, please visit the ACS website at www.cancer.org.