Friday, September 10, 2010
Awareness is Key - Prostate Cancer
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and there are many locations that offer FREE screening for those who are not insured or are underinsured. Other than some forms of skin cancer, in the US, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer for men. Following lung cancer, prostate cancer is the seconding leading cause of cancer deaths and the seventh leading cause of death overall for men in this country. Prostate cancer is diagnosed every two minutes and fifteen seconds, and more than 217,730 new cases are expected in 2010. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in America among men.
There are several factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer.
• As men age there risk for prostate cancer increases.
• A family history of a father, brother, or son who has had
prostate cancer increases a mans risk two to three times of
developing prostate cancer.
• Prostate cancer is more common in African American men
and less common among Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander,
and Native American men.
There are several easy screening for prostate cancer.
The most common screening screening for prostate cancer is a blood test known as the PSA (prostate specific antigen). The test measures the enzyme produced only by the prostate to see if it is within normal limits. This test is monitored yearly to see if there are any changes to previous levels.
The other test is known as the DRE (digital rectal exam). The doctor is able to reach the back portion of the prostate (the area where most cancers of the prostate begin) by inserting a finger through the mans rectum, to feel for size and irregularities.
Check out this site:
Zero - The Project to End Porstate Cancer
The National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) partners with the Drive Against Prostate Cancer, LLC, to provide mobile screening program for prostate cancer. Check out the schedule on the website..screening is offered not only during the month of September.
Remember...prevention helps to maintain wellness