‘Don’t risk it’; Being proactive can help men avoid the 2nd leading cause of cancer death

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FEATURE —  In 2019, the American Cancer Society reported that an estimated 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer and an estimated 31,620 prostate-related deaths would occur in the United States.

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men and is the second leading cause of cancer death for this group behind lung cancer. It develops mainly in older men over the age of 65 or African-African men. The good news is that most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it.

Below are some other American Cancer Society’s prostate cancer statistics:

  • About 1 man in 9 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
  • About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40.
  • About 1 man in 41 will die of prostate cancer.
  • About 2.9 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.

Early diagnosis followed by noninvasive treatment can help avoid extreme costs, physical limitations, discomfort, pain and adverse effects on quality of life.   

Taking a proactive “don’t risk it” approach to prostate health can minimize the probability of more complicated prostate diagnosis and the serious, negative side effects of treatment, including premature death.

I am a prostate cancer survivor because of early detection, an accurate diagnosis and very effective noninvasive outpatient treatments resulting in minimal negative side effects.  

About three years ago, I noticed an abnormal urine condition.  I immediately set an appointment with my primary care physician, who ordered a Prostate Specific Antigen test, a routine blood test used to determine the general health of the prostate gland.  The normal range is generally 0-4 ng/ml. My test result was a 5.5 ng/ml.

Abnormal? Yes. Did it mean that I had prostate cancer?  Not necessarily.

It is common for men over the age of 50 to have an elevated PSA, which in most cases means that they have what is called benign enlarged prostate. A benign prostate condition is not life threatening and can be easily treated

I was referred to a urologist who specializes in diseases of the male urinary and reproductive organs. I wanted to know whether the elevated PSA reading was an indication of a benign prostate condition or if there was any indication of malignancy. My intent was to get an early and accurate diagnosis.

More diagnostic procedures followed, including a biopsy of the prostate gland. This was a necessary procedure to determine whether malignant tissue might be present. Tissue samples of the prostate biopsy were sent to the pathology laboratory for analysis. Malignant tissue was found localized to a small section of the prostate gland.

Alarming? Yes. Did I have a high probability of effective treatment? Yes.

Based on early detection and diagnosis for my low-level prostate cancer condition, I was a candidate for noninvasive, painless and highly effective proton radiation therapy. I was able to maintain my normal quality of life, including daily lap swimming and workouts at the local fitness center during my nine weeks of daily treatment.

To any man within the high-risk age group for prostate cancer, be very aware of the health condition of your prostate gland. Be certain to get an annual health exam, including an accurate evaluation of the health of the prostate gland.

Don’t risk it! Be proactive and informed about prostate health. Remember, early detection and treatment is always better than a later diagnosis in which malignant tissue at the prostate gland site can likely spread to other vital organs of the body. 

On a lighter note, Jay Leno said, “A new medical study reports that men who eat ten pizzas a week are less likely to develop prostate problems at age 50. That’s because they are usually dead by age 40.” 

Written by RICHARD K HARDER for St. George Health & Wellness.

This article was first published in the May/June 2019 issue of St. George Health & Wellness magazine.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2020, all rights reserved.

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