Prostate health screening for cancer is easy, safe and effective and should be performed annually for men over 50 years of age

The prostate gland is found only in men and is located at the bottom of the bladder just above the rectum. It's main function is to add fluids to the semen to help protect the sperm during and after ejaculation from acids that occur naturally within the vagina. There are many diseases related to the prostate such as cancer, and benign enlargement of the prostate, so maintaining good prostate health is essential since cancer of the prostate is one of the leading causes of death among men.

Prostate PSA

PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen is a molecule produced by the normal prostate and released in high amounts in semen. However small amounts do get into the bloodstream. When the prostate is diseased with cancer or some other disorder the levels of PSA in the bloodstream is elevated. This is extremely useful information because by performing a PSA blood test your doctor can easily tell if you have cancer of the prostate.

Prostate Cancer Prevention

Prevention of prostate diseases is closely linked to nutrition and lifestyle. Researchers have estimated that 75% of all prostate cancer can be prevented by a change in nutrition and lifestyle and early detection. It is vital that particularly those men who are at high risk for prostate cancer educate themselves on the best ways for prevention. Eat a diet low in fat because there is a direct correlation between weight and the occurrence and severity of prostate cancer. Increase your soy intake because soy contains isoflavones that have been clinically proven to stop the growth and cut off the blood supply of cancer cells. Make sure you get the recommended 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day because they provide antioxidants and other cancer fighting complexes. If you can’t get these things in your diet look for prostate vitamins to help increase your chances of preventing cancer.

Prostate Exam

Perhaps the best prostate disease preventive measure is also the simplest and most effective. A digital rectal exam can be easily done in the doctor's office and is very effective when combined with a PSA blood test.  All men 50 years of age and over should undergo an annual colonoscopy examination. A colonoscopy is an inspection of the entire colon using a long flexible, lighted scope which when hooked to a video monitor allows a doctor to detect problems before a patient is even aware of any potential problems.

Prostate treatment

Treatment for prostate cancer is varied based on what stage it is detected. Prostate cancer is relatively slow growing so many men have a high cure rate. If caught early enough most treatments are not extremely invasive. Often the doctor will suggest just watching the cancer carefully and making some of the changes suggested above. This will most often slow the growth enough that the cancer will never affect the man during his natural lifetime. But by watching carefully the doctor will know if the cancer should begin to grow rapidly and can suggest other treatment.

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