LET’S TALK ABOUT THE PROSTATE

Protecting your prostate, as you age is one of the most important things you can do. Learn how to detect, test, and reduce your risk of getting prostate cancer.

Written by Dr. Johnny R Tice

Dr. Johnny R. Tice is a Clinical Assistant Professor at The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)-Capstone College of Nursing and serves as the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration Coordinator.

As a man, at some point or another you have heard about the infamous prostate gland and the associated “Finger Test,” formally known as the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE), that’s done to evaluate it. Men get squeamish about this test, but there’s a reason why prostate health and screening is so important. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men of all racial and ethnic groups with African American men 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with — and 2.2 times more likely to die from — prostate cancer than white men. This translates to about 200,000 new cases and 70,000 + deaths among African American men each year. So, what exactly is the prostate? It’s a small, walnut-shaped gland found only in men located in front of the rectum and under the bladder that produces a fluid partially responsible for semen production. The prostate is expected to grow as we age; however, this growth can be more amplified and uncontrolled for some men than others leading to conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cancer. Additionally, there can be an acute, short-lived, inflammation state known as “prostatitis,” often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia tra-

Prostatitis (Acute Infection/Inflammation)

Pain urinating or ejaculating Fever and chills

Pelvic pain Needing to urinate more often Cloudy urine Urinating frequently, especially at night Difficulty getting a urine stream going Feeling as if you are unable to get all the urine out Often has no symptoms Can occasionally cause obstruction of urine flow, like BPH. This symptom usually suggests more advanced prostate cancer.

BPH

(Chronic Enlargement)

Prostate Cancer

chomatis, or HIV. Symptoms associated with prostate problems can vary widely. The following table provides the symptoms for the three most common types of prostate problems. If you notice any of the symptoms below, schedule an appointment with a medical provider for further evaluation. While age is one of the most prominent risk factors associated with prostate problems, there are others including nonmodifiable ones such as race and family history and modifiable ones such as diet, weight, lack of medical care access, and geographical location. While we have no control over non-modifiable risk factors, we do have some level of control over those that are modifiable.

Tips for managing modifiable risk factors

You’re probably already aware of this, but choose a diet with foods and beverages in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Shoot for at least 2½ cups of vegetables and fruits each day. Choose whole grains instead of refined grains and products. Limit red meats, processed meat and high-fat dairy products, which are all associated with a higher prostate cancer risk.

While diet usually directly effects weight, be intentional in making efforts to achieve a healthy body weight. The body mass index (BMI), which is a calculated formula using individual height and weight, should be between 18.5–24.9, which indicates a normal/healthy body weight. Prostate Cancer Screening and Test Prostate screening is done to identify prostate cancer as early as possible to allow men to make the appropriate treatment decision for living a longer, healthier life. The American Cancer Society recommends the follow guidelines for prostate cancer screening: Age 50 – for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years. Age 45 – for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).

Age 40 – for men at even higher

Get the facts on good prostate health from the Bens Nature Health Prostate Chart.

risk (those with more than one firstdegree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age). It’s important to note that due to the prevalence of prostate cancer in African American men, screening starts five years earlier, at age 45 versus age 50, which is for the general male population. Importantly, it is recommended that those who have more than one first -degree relative start screening at the age of 40. There are two screening tests that are done to identify prostate gland abnormalities, which could indicate prostate cancer: The Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. If prostate cancer is confirmed, a complete treatment plan will be initiated usually in collaboration with a urologic oncologist. Hopefully, this article provides insight into one of the most common killers of African American men. We not only have to keep a watchful eye for common prostate problems such as prostatitis and BPH, but also prostate cancer, which has a high prevalence and death rate amongst African Americans versus all others.

Don’t shy away from talking about and dealing with your prostate health. Make an informed decision about your wellbeing, prevention, and early detection of prostate problems. Your family, friends, co-workers, and community will thank you, as well as get to enjoy many years of your presence in their lives and vice versa. ●