Prostate health – what every man over 40 should know

Prostate health may not be high on your radar in terms of your everyday concerns, but it is absolutely  worth thinking about. In fact, it’s an essential health alert for men over 40. This is because prostate cancer ranks amongst one of the most common cancers for South African men.

Here’s the good news – early detection can save your life!

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a gland that sits just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It’s a walnut-shaped gland and it carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As you get older, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases, but it’s not uncommon for younger men (even from age 40) to be diagnosed. This is where health screenings become essential.

Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate begin to grow uncontrollably. Most prostate cancers develop slowly over many years and may stay confined to the gland for a long time before spreading.

In its early phase, prostate cancer may not present with obvious symptoms. However, once it starts to advance, it can lead to urinary disturbances such as blood in the urine or semen, and persistent aches in the back, hips or pelvic area.

What does a health screening do?

As prostate cancer may not exhibit clear symptoms, common health tests like the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) can measure PSA levels. If the levels are elevated, it serves as a health warning to a potential problem (which isn’t necessarily cancer).

Your doctor could also do a digital rectal examination which allows them to check the prostate for any irregularities that might suggest a problem.

Symptoms to watch for:

• Needing to urinate often, sometimes with a sudden, strong urge at night.
• A weak urinary stream or one that starts and stops intermittently.
• Discomfort or a burning sensation during urination.
• Inability to fully control your bladder.
• Inability to control bowel movements.
• Painful ejaculation and/or erectile dysfunction.
• Blood in your semen or urine.
• Persistent pain in the lower back, hips or chest.

Taking care of your prostate health

Your risk of prostate cancer rises as you age with most diagnoses occurring after age 50, and about 60% happen in those over 65. A family history also plays a big role. If a close relative has had prostate cancer, your chances are two to three times bigger.

1. Your lifestyle choices matter more than you know. Try to maintain a healthy weight, and cut back on red meat and heavily processed foods.
2. Keeping fit and eating nutritious foods can go a long way in ensuring you stay healthy.
3. If you tend to binge-drink, cut back. The same goes for smoking. In fact, quitting is one of the best things you can do not just for your urological health – but for your health in general.
4. Make it a priority to eat more vegetables, fruit and wholegrains and choose lean cuts of meat over fatty, sodium-packed foods.
5. Let your doctor know if you have any worrying symptoms, and keep up to date with prostate screenings based on your personal risk factors. 

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.