News

It's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

You’re active, you feel strong and healthy, so why would you spend time checking for prostate cancer? The answer’s easy: A simple test for PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels could help your doctor catch cancer at an early stage and begin treatment immediately, or even rule out cancer altogether.
Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages, according to the National Cancer Institute, but it’s rare in men younger than 50. The chance of developing prostate cancer increases as men get older.
Levels of PSA often are high in men with prostate cancer. But PSA also can be high with other prostate conditions, including a non-cancerous enlargement known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The Urological Sciences Research Foundation said eight in 10 men eventually will develop BPH. Overall, one in 10 men will develop prostate cancer.
What are some symptoms of prostate cancer? Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling, can be a signal. So can low-back pain and pain with ejaculation.
Screening — looking for cancer before symptoms show up — can help find abnormal tissue or cancer early and make it easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread. Two tests critical to screening for prostate cancer and other prostate diseases are the PSA test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).
The Cancer Institute says avoiding risk factors such as smoking, being overweight and lack of exercise may help prevent certain cancers. Pay attention to your family history; a man whose father, brother or son has had prostate cancer has a higher risk himself. African-American men are more likely to develop and die from it than white men.
During September, Prostate Health Awareness Month, Northwest Healthcare is offering free prostate cancer screenings on three different days. Screenings are from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 25 at Flathead Valley Orthopedic Center in Whitefish, and on Monday, Sept. 27 and Wednesday, Sept. 29, both from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Summit in Kalispell.
Most importantly, stay on top of your health all year, not just in September. It could mean a whole new lease on life.