Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! 

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Much like putting away the lawn mowers, and making sure snow blowers are up and running, it is time to check in on your prostate health. Prostate cancer is the leading site of new cancers diagnosed and the number two cause of death for males! 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.    

In case you don’t know, the prostate is the gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of semen. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), almost all prostate cancers begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids. This is known as adenocarcinomas. 

Prostate cancer often has no early symptoms. Advanced cases can cause men to urinate more often or have a weaker flow of urine, but these symptoms can also be caused by benign prostate conditions. Different people have different symptoms for prostate cancer. Most men have no symptoms at all: however, early signs could include bloody urine, erectile dysfunction and discomfort when sitting down. If you have a family history of prostate cancer your risk is increased, so you may want to make a PSA test part of your regular yearly physical. Because of effective screening options for prostate cancer, the disease is often caught before it spreads, making survival rates good for this type of cancer.    

  Keep in mind that these symptoms may be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer. Your IronRoad Healthcare benefits are as follows:  PSA – covered at 100%   ironroadhealthcare.com