2015 November Balance Newsletter (Men's Health Month)

November 2015

In This Issue Tobacco Cessation-Class Schedule Nutrition Classes No Shave November/ Movember Men’s Health Risk Factors Tobacco Cessation Month Sleep and Stress Lecture Health Promotion Services Health Promotion Calendar Meet the Staff

Picture by: Intermountainhealthcare.org

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No Shave November

Prostate and Testicular Cancer BY: Lt Cmdr. Elizabeth Gloor, NP-C USNH Yokosuka Family Practice Prostate Cancer:

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in American men, and in most men, it grows very slowly. Age, race, diet, family history – even a sedentary lifestyle – may all play a part in contributing to your prostate cancer risks. To learn more, visit http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ prostatecancer/ Most prostate cancers are first found during screening with a prostatespecific antigen (PSA) blood test and/or a digital rectal exam (DRE). In 2013, the American Urological Association (AUA) published a new guideline on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening: Routine PSA screening is not recommended in men under 40 years. Routine PSA screening is not recommended in men between the ages of 40-54. *For men younger than 55 years at higher risk (i.e. positive family history or African American race), decisions regarding prostate cancer screening should be individualized.

For men ages 55-69 years, the decision to undergo PSA screening involves weighing the benefits of preventing prostate cancer against the known potential harms associated with screening and treatment. The greatest benefit of screening appears to be in men ages 55-69 years. A routine screening interval of two years or more may be preferred over annual screening in those men who have participated in shared decisionmaking and decided on screening. Routine PSA screening is not recommended in men age 70+ years or any man with less than a 10-15 year life expectancy.

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Testicular Cancer:

Testicular cancer, though rare, is the most common cancer in men aged 15-34 years. Caucasian men are four times more likely than African American men to have testicular cancer. It can usually be cured, even in late stages of the disease. There is no standard or routine screening test for testicular cancer. Most often, testicular cancer is first found my men themselves, either by chance or during self-exam. If a lump is found in the testicle by the patient or during a routine physical exam, tests may be done to check for cancer. To learn more, visit http:// www.cancer.org/cancer/testicularcancer/

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Men’s Health Risk Factors

Men’s Health Screenings By: Hospitalman Damarias Wilcox USNH Yokosuka Family Practice MEN’S HEALTH

Men’s health is important to us in the hospital, which is why it is stressed so often. Many men today come to a clinic or hospital with little understanding of what is being done or why it is being tested. All men should keep an eye on their glucose levels, blood pressure, prostate antigen levels (PSA), cholesterol, and testosterone.

The risk for type 2 diabetes typically increases with age. In the absence of risks, testing should begin after age 45. One of the biggest jumps in type 2 diabetes was among men. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese, sedentary lifestyle, a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates and low in fiber and whole grains, a history of type 2 diabetes in your immediate family (mother, father, sister, or brother). Having diabetes, in turn, increases the danger of heart disease, as well as a range of problems associated with impaired circulation, such as eye disease and nerve damage.

Typically, blood pressure increases with age. Risk of high blood pressure begins to climb when men hit age 45, although it can occur in younger men. African-Americans tend to develop it younger and have more severe hypertension. Obesity or a family history of high blood pressure also increases risk. High blood pressure is especially dangerous, because people can have it for years without knowing. In fact, one in three Americans with the condition doesn’t know it. Despite these gloomy statistics, high blood pressure is not inevitable. Normal blood pressure is considered to be anything below 120/80. Prehypertension is defined as a systolic reading between 120 and 139 and a diastolic reading between 80 and 89. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. For people over age 60, high blood pressure is defined as 150/90 or higher. To prevent high blood pressure, first consider your diet. A few other changes can also keep your blood pressure in check. Both excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can raise blood pressure. Men who drink alcohol should not consume more than two standard drinks a day.

High cholesterol, also called hypercholesteremia, puts men at greater risk for heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. For many men, the risk from high cholesterol starts in their 20s and increases with age. High cholesterol tends to run in families, so obviously genes play a role. But a variety of lifestyle choices, including diet, activity, and body weight, also affect cholesterol levels. The first treatment of choice for high cholesterol is adopting a healthier lifestyle. In many people who have cholesterol in the borderline high category, healthier habits can bring the numbers down to normal. If lifestyle changes are not enough to control high cholesterol, a variety of cholesterol-lowering medications are available.

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Tobacco Cessation Month Tobacco Cessation Month By: Hospitalman Shaquille Hill USNH Yokosuka Health Promotion Team Tobacco Use: The effects of using or being around those who use tobacco products can have multiple harmful effects on the human body.

There are a variety of different tobacco products available for sale around the world including the traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and pipes in addition to smokeless tobacco products available such as dip, E-Cigs, and hookah. All of these tobacco products are easily available for purchase but the cost to your health is so much more. Many people turn to smokeless tobacco because of the ease of use and a false believe that these are a better alternative to traditional tobacco.

Some harmful effects of dip and snuff can cause cancer in your gums, cheeks ,and esophagus; whereas traditional tobacco use can cause increased heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline, as well as lung cancer. Tobacco 6 is often used as a stress reliever which

actually has the opposite effect because the effects of tobacco increase adrenaline production in turn making a person feel more stressed.

FACTS: The annual death toll from tobacco use every year is 480,000. Since 1964 2.5 million people have died due to health complications from secondhand smoke. The use of E-cigs or vaping has had no studies to show that they are a safer alternative to other tobacco products. There are no safe methods of tobacco use available in this day and age. The only safe method is to not use any type of tobacco product at all.

Where to go For Help: For those looking for help to quit tobacco, the Health Promotion department offers a Tobacco Cessation course on Fleet Activities Yokosuka inside the Fleet Recreation Center on the 3rd deck. If you are interested, please call 243-9776 to set an appointment.

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HP@med.navy.mil

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Meet The Staff

From left to right: Ms. Rebecca Vetrano (Health Tech.), HN Mario Camacho ( Health Tech.), HN Shaquille Hill (Health Tech.), HM3 Brandon Fisher (Health Tech.), HM1 Michael Abrajano ( LPO), Ms. Mary Cobb (Secretary)