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National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 13, 2010 - 11:20:12 by

Angela Burgin Logan

Angela Burgin Logan

Boo!! My daughter yells and her Poppa faithfully screams in response. My daughter loves to scare her grandfather in routine games of Peek A Boo. We had a real scare last year when a disease known for hiding threatened my father’s life. A routine annual exam indicated that my father’s PSA had risen. Further testing confirmed that he had Prostate Cancer.

The thought of a Prostate exam can be scary. However, what is far more chilling is not getting one and missing a chance for early detection. My father was able to detect the Prostate Cancer early and after radiation treatment is on the way to recovery.

Moms, where would we be without men? This September in honor of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month encourage the men in your life to get a prostate exam. The best defense is a good offense. Recommending that your fathers and even husbands get a Prostate check during an annual exam is critical. Most cases of Prostate Cancer are treatable if detected early.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. It is the abnormal growth of cells in a man’s prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and sits in front of the bladder. Researchers don’t know why men develop Prostate Cancer but there are some risk factors including age; as the disease is more prevalent in men over 65, race; as the disease affects African American men greater than the rest of the population and genetics; as family history often plays a role.

What can you do?

  • Get an annual exam.
    • Most Prostate Cancers are detected during annual exams with a rectal test or a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.
  • Watch your diet.
    • A diet consisting of high fat foods can contribute to disease such as prostate cancer.
  • Watch for symptoms.
    • In the early stages Prostate Cancer generally has no symptoms. However, as it progresses some of the symptoms that men may experience include:
      • Difficulty urinating
      • Frequent urination
      • Pain or burning when urinating
      • Blood in urine
      • Deep pain in lower back, belly, hip or pelvis