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2B %\)t Imafti <©a?ette Tuesday, September 7,2021
Prostate Cancer
Awareness Month
EARLY DETECTION IS KEY
The basics of prostate cancer
If asked to name the
most common non-skin
cancer in the United
States, few Americans
may point to prostate
cancer. But prostate can
cer is the most common
non-skin cancer in the
United States, and the
World Cancer Research
Fund notes it is the
fourth most commonly
occurring cancer across
the globe.
The Prostate Cancer
Foundation notes that
one out of every nine
men in the United States
will be diagnosed with
prostate cancer in his
lifetime. Such figures
underscore the impor
tance of learning about
prostate cancer. Knowl
edge of prostate cancer
and its risk factors and
symptoms may help men
improve their progno
sis if and when they
are diagnosed with the
disease.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a
walnut-sized gland that is
responsible for produc
ing seminal fluid. The
growth and function of
the prostate is controlled
by male hormones, in
cluding testosterone.
Are there early warn
ing signs of prostate
cancer?
The PCF notes that
there usually aren’t any
early warning signs for
prostate cancer. The
tumor associated with
prostate cancer does not
push against anything,
even as it grows, so
many men with prostate
cancer do not experience
pain until the cancer has
advanced beyond its
earliest stages.
What are the symp
toms of prostate can
cer?
According to the PCF,
in rare cases prostate
cancer can cause symp
toms. Some of the more
Georgia Department of Public Health
District 4 Public Health
LAMAR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Lamar County Health Department
100 Academy Drive
Barneville, GA 30204
Phone (770)358-1483
Make your appointment today!
Clinic: 1(800)847-4262 /(706)845-4035
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Serving: Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette,
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mild symptoms may
be mistaken as normal
byproducts of aging,
and their presence may
not necessarily mean a
man has prostate cancer.
However, the appearance
of any of the following
symptoms should be dis
cussed with a physician
immediately.
• A need to urinate
frequently, especially
at night. Sometimes the
need to urinate may be
urgent.
• Difficulty starting or
holding back urination
• Weak, dribbling or
interrupted flow of urine
• Painful or burning
urination
• Difficulty in having
an erection
• A decrease in the
amount of fluid ejacu
lated
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in the urine or
semen
• Pressure or pain in
the rectum
• Pain or stiffness in
the lower back, hips,
pelvis, or thighs
Does anything in
crease a man’s risk for
prostate cancer?
The WCRF notes that
there is strong evidence
to suggest that various
factors increase a man’s
risk of developing pros
tate cancer. Such factors
include:
• Body weight: Men
who are obese or over
weight are at increased
risk of developing ad
vanced prostate cancer.
• Height: Men who are
tall are at an increased
risk of prostate cancer.
• Diet: The evidence
regarding the effects of
diet on prostate cancer
risk is not as strong as
evidence linking body
weight and height to the
disease. However, the
WCRF notes that high
consumption of dairy
products and diets high
in calcium might increase
a man’s risk of prostate
cancer.
Is screening effec
tive?
The PCF notes that
there is controversy
about the risks and ben
efits of prostate cancer
screening. Men must
make their own decisions
regarding prostate can
cer screening, and such
decisions should only be
made after discussing the
disease and their fam
ily histories with their
physicians.
Prostate cancer affects
millions of men and their
families every year. More
information about the
disease can be found at
www.pcf.org.
Explaining prostate cancer exams
Every three minutes
a man is diagnosed with
prostate cancer. In fact,
the disease is so com
mon that one in nine men
will be diagnosed with
prostate cancer during
his lifetime. Fortunately,
men have lots of tools at
their disposal, including
prostate cancer screen
ings, that can help them
find prostate cancer in its
earliest, most treatable
stages.
The discussion sur
rounding prostate cancer
screenings has changed
in recent years. Whereas
such screenings were
once recommended
for all men once they
reached a certain age,
the American Cancer So
ciety now advises men to
gather as much informa
tion as they can, includ
ing speaking with their
physicians about the
uncertainties and risks as
well as the potential ben
efits of screenings, before
making their decisions
on their own.
There are two types of
prostate exams that men
can discuss with their
physicians. The Pros
tate Cancer Foundation
recommends men begin
these discussions around
the time they turn 50,
or earlier for men with a
family history of prostate
cancer.
• DRE: During a digital
rectal exam, or DRE, a
doctor will lubricate a
gloved finger and insert
it into a patient’s rectum.
The prostate is just in
front of the rectum, and
the DRE will let a doctor
know if the prostate is
enlarged or in irregular
shape. Many men find
the DRE uncomfortable,
but the exam is brief and
should not be painful.
• PSA test: The PSA
test is a blood test that
measures the level of
prostate-specific antigen,
or PSA, in the blood. PSA
is a protein that’s natural
ly produced by the pros
tate. Rising PSA levels
are often one of the first
signs of prostate cancer.
However, the PCF notes
that abnormally high PSA
levels are not necessar
ily indicative of prostate
cancer. So in order to
fully evaluate the results
of a PSA test, doctors will
consider a patient’s age,
the size of his prostate,
previous PSA test results,
and the patient’s medical
history, including past
and current medication
use.
If test results show an
irregularity or indicate
an enlarged prostate,
doctors may recommend
repeating the tests after
an interval of time. That’s
because an enlarged
prostate is not always
indicative of prostate
cancer, and sometimes it
may just be symptomatic
of a temporary condition
that goes away before the
next exam. If there are no
causes for concern after
an exam, doctors may
advise repeating the tests
at regular intervals of
one to two years.
There are risks associ
ated with prostate cancer
screenings, and men
should discuss these
risks with their physi
cians and their families.
More information is avail
able at www.pcf.org.
Early prostate cancer signs to know
Prostate cancer is one
of the most common
types of cancer. Prostate
cancer is a very slow-
growing cancer
that is often
confined to the
prostate. Pros
tate cancer may
require minimal
treatment or
no treatment at
all, advises the
Mayo Clinic.
Most prostate
cancers are
found early due
to screening,
which bodes
well for affected
men. When
caught early — when it’s
still only in the prostate
gland — the likelihood
of successfully treating
the disease is high. Men
can be their own best
advocates in
the fight against
prostate cancer.
Recognizing ear
ly symptoms of
prostate cancer
can give individ
uals an early leg
up on getting
help quickly.
The American
Cancer Soci
ety says most
early prostate
cancers cause
no symptoms.
However, other
prostate cancers can
cause symptoms such as:
• Problems urinating,
which includes slow or
weak urinary stream or
the need to urinate more
often;
• erectile dysfunction;
• blood in the urine or
semen;
• pain in the hips,
spine, ribs, or other areas
from cancer that has
spread to bones; and/or
• weakness or numb
ness in the legs or feet,
or even loss of bowel or
bladder control from the
cancer pressing on the
spinal cord.
If any of these symp
toms are present, a
person should consult
with a doctor for further
screening.
As COVID cases continue to rise across the:
state, please consider getting vaccinated.
It is your best defense against COVID!
We offer walk in vaccinations on
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Flu shots are in stock!
Flu season is quickly approaching,
and it’s time to go ahead and get your
flu shot to stay protected.
Flu shots are covered by most
insurance plans, or $25 for those
without coverage.
Stop by and get yours today!
www. h i nesrxsnopTcom
302 College
P: 770-358-226
Monday -
Saturday: 9a.m.
©o [S
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