June is Men's Health Month

This year Men’s Health Week is June 13-19, 20ll, ending on Father’s Day.

Men need to know their risk for prostate cancer. Risks include being over the age of 50, having a brother, father or son in the family who has had prostate cancer, or being an African-American male. The CDC states that prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in men. The CDC goes on to state that African-American men have a 1 in 5 chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and a 5% chance (1 in 20) of dying from it. Although this sounds alarming, prostate cancer can be prevented and treated when found early.

· Prostate Cancer Prevention: Increase intake of fruits and vegetables. Decrease red meats and saturated fats. Be more physically active!

· Symptoms of Prostate Cancer: Difficulty passing urine, frequent urination especially at night, blood in urine, pain when passing urine, weight loss, pain in bones of the pelvis, legs, lower back. In the early stages of prostate cancer, there are no symptoms.

· Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): The physician will determine the size of the prostate and feel for any lumps or other abnormalities.

· Prostate Specific Antigen test (PSA): This is a blood test that detects the level of PSA in the blood. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer.

Visit www.cdc.gov for more information about prostate cancer.