Written By: Dominique Huff
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
It is a month when men must get checked, talk with their doctors, and assess their overall health.
Dr. Henry Washington III, founder of the HW3 Foundation, is a survivor of prostate cancer who was diagnosed in 2014 as it ran his family. Both the late Henry Washington Jr. and Henry Washington Sr. succumbed to the disease.
“I was able to eradicate it as I started getting checked twice a year at age 25, given my family history. I didn’t realize it was in my genes, but my dad knew,” he said. “I am the lone survivor because my father educated and empowered me to handle this. I am on a journey to have other men get checked early.”
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) diagnosed in men in the United States. Furthermore, it’s the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer, in the United States.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It’s about the size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of semen.
Aging populations and increasing life expectancy will lead to higher numbers of older men in the coming years. As the main risk factors for prostate cancer – such as being aged 50 or older and having a family history of the disease – are unavoidable, it will not be possible to prevent the upcoming surge in cases through lifestyle changes or public health interventions.
“As more and more men around the world live to middle and old age, there will be an inevitable rise in the number of prostate cancer cases. We know this surge in cases is coming, so we must start planning and taking action now,” Nick James, Professor of Prostate and Bladder Cancer Research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said. “Evidence-based interventions, such as improved early detection and education programs, will help to save lives and prevent ill health from prostate cancer in the years to come. This is especially true for low- and middle-income countries, which will bear the overwhelming brunt of future cases.”
What are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. While not typical, symptoms of early prostate cancer might include:
Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night
Blood in the urine or semen
Coupled with these symptoms, a man with more advanced prostate cancer may suffer from:
Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED)
Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer that has spread to the bones
Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control, from cancer in the spine pressing on the spinal cord
Weight loss
Feeling very tired
How Does On Contract Prostate Cancer?
Honestly, it’s still being debated, researched, and examined by researchers and medical experts, but all men do have a risk for such, but some factors trigger it more than others.
Some of the risk factors for prostate cancer include:
1. Age: Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40, but the chances of developing it increase rapidly after the age of 50. About 6 in 10 prostate cancers are found in men older than 65.
2. Race/Ethnicity: Prostate cancer develops more frequently in African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races. It also occurs less often in Asian American, Hispanic, and Latino men compared to non-Hispanic White men. The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences are not entirely clear.
3. Family History: Prostate cancer seems to have a hereditary component, as it can run in some families. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing the disease, and the risk is higher for men with several affected relatives.
4. Inherited Gene Changes: Certain inherited gene changes can raise the risk of prostate cancer, although they likely account for only a small percentage of prostate cancers.
It's important to note that the exact role of diet in prostate cancer is not entirely clear, but factors such as consuming a lot of dairy products have been studied for potential effects on the risk of prostate cancer.
Other factors to consider are high dairy-based diets, calcium overloads, obesity, smoking, and chemical exposure, but are still under research and debate.
Screenings
Sadly, screenings are not fully reliable and have also been debated. The Centers for Disease Control notes two types of screenings: the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test and the Digital Rectal Examination.
One should consult with their doctor about a recommended screening that should be considered. Many free screenings are available through various organizations.
The HW3 Foundation works on such advocacy by promoting leading innovative research into prostate cancer health, implementing awareness and advocacy campaigns and education programs for the Atlanta Community, health professionals, and government, and supporting men and their families affected by prostate cancer through evidence-based information and resources, support groups, and prostate cancer specialist nurses.
Call To Action
Fellas, it’s time to think about your health. Use the month of September to educate yourself about prostate cancer and schedule a screening along with your annual physical. Not only should one be aware of this disease but other ailments such as obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction.
Let’s change the game, take a health challenge, get your checkup, encourage other men to join you, and let’s stay alive!
Winning The Battle Against Prostate Cancer
Get Your Copy of Game Changers Magazine 2024 Fall Edition featuring Kim Mays & Sherry DeVouse-Dennard
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