We were spreading the word about keeping our womanly bits healthy last month and raising awareness of the preventions and symptoms of breast cancer.
This month, it’s on to the boys.
Movember is kicking off in full force and there’s many a man around the country today willing their facial ‘fro to grow quicker. It’s a style statement, yes, but it’s a bigger statement too. It’s raising awareness of prostate cancer.
Spread the word. Keep your men, brothers, fathers, cousins and friends healthy with the following advice and tips.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Prostate cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.
But, people who are at a higher risk also include men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer. Others at risk include men who use too much alcohol, farmers, men who eat a diet high in fat and men who work in certain environments like tyre plant workers or painters.
How can I prevent prostate cancer?
There’s no proven prostate cancer prevention strategy. But you can reduce your risk of prostate cancer by making healthy choices, such as exercising and eating a healthy diet.
Choose a healthy diet
Choose a low-fat diet
Eat more fat from plants than from animals.
Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat each day
Eat fish.
Reduce the amount of dairy products you eat each day.
Drink green tea.
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise most days of the week
Chat about your health… don’t let health issues become taboo in your relationship.
What are the symptoms?
Cancers that are found within the prostate gland only are known as “early prostate cancer”. Men with early prostate cancer are unlikely to have any symptoms at all. Prostate cancers usually only cause symptoms when they are large enough to disturb your bladder or press on the tube that drains urine.
The symptoms of prostate cancer include:
Passing urine more often, especially at night
Pain or difficulty when passing urine
Trouble starting or stopping the flow of urine
The feeling of not having emptied your bladder
Frequent pain in your lower back, hips or upper thighs
Trouble having or keeping an erection
Blood in your urine or sperm (very rare)
If you have any of the above symptoms, get them checked out by your doctor immediately.
But remember that most prostate glands that are enlarged are not cancer and can be easily treated.
First, visit your GP if you are worried about any symptoms. Your GP can examine you and do some blood tests. If your GP is still concerned about you, he or she can refer you to a hospital specialist called a urologist for more tests.
Some Support…
The National Cancer Helpline offer information, support and advice in confidence to people who are affected by prostate cancer, or to people who have general questions about prostate health. Specialist cancer nurses at the Irish Cancer Society answer all calls to our helpline. Freefone 1800 200 700
Anyone concerned about prostate health can ring, email or drop in to access free, confidential advice and support. Information is also available about any aspect of prostate cancer including prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment or follow-on care.
You can call also email prostate@irishcancer.ie
Check out the Movember campaign here…
