DON’T HESITATE TO CHECK YOUR PROSTATE

Let’s face it guys, no one wants to have a prostate exam but it can save your life!

Men are often uncomfortable talking about prostate issues so you may not know where or what it’s role in the male body is. Located directly below the bladder ,it has various functions such as nourishing sperm, regulating urine flow as well has having a role in hormone production.

There are five different types of prostate cancer which is why EARLY DIAGNOSIS plays a key role in treatment options. Catching cancer early often allows for more  choices for the treatment of the cancer. Early detection can often be found by prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) testing and digital rectal exam (DRE). Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms, however more advanced cancer can sometimes cause some of the symptoms listed below.

• Problems urinating or the need to urinate more often especially at night
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in hips, spine, ribs if cancer has spread to the  bones
• Trouble getting an erection (ED)                                                                                        

Some of these problems can more likely be caused by something other than cancer. For example, trouble urinating is much more often caused by BPH.     

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common in men over 50, but it is not a precursor to cancer. Put simply is just an increase in the size of the prostate gland. Because it surrounds the urethra, prostate problems can affect urine flow. Prostate problems can cause problems with sexual function, urinary tract infections, and bladder stones.

To help protect yourself there are things you can do now to lower your risk.

• Eat less red meat and dairy-they don’t cause   prostate cancer but there is a correlation between the cancer and consuming things like bacon and cheese!
• Eat Broccoli – cruciferous veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower contain a natural chemical that may prevent cancer from growing
• Quit Smoking! – it may be the same old bugaboo you’ve heard before ,  but it is linked to more aggressive forms of prostate cancer that are likely to spread
• Lose weight and exercise! Some Dr.’s feel  these two things are the single best way to reduce your prostate cancer risk
• Last but certainly not least, regular ejaculations may help flush out substances that are carcinogenic…Be sure to practice safe sex as STD’s have been linked to prostate cancer as well                                                                                                                   

In closing remember to get your regular checkup EARLY …. DON’T  BE LATE TO SAVE  YOUR PROSTRATE!                                       

Prostate exams are covered if provided by an in-network provider at 100% out of network at 40% as a routine, once per year physical, and every 3 years after age 49 and more frequently if recommended by an Iron Road Network Provider.