going deeper

Did you know that 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime? September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, an important time to remind the men we love to take a moment to consider their health.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men in the U.S. In 2017, 161,360 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and about 26,730 men will die, estimates the American Cancer Society.

It’s important for men to know the risk-factors and ways to reduce their risk for prostate cancer because many cases show few or no symptoms at all.

Risk factors include:

·         Age. Prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50.

·         Race/ethnicity. African-American and Caribbean men of African ancestry are at a much higher risk of prostate cancer.

·         Geography. Prostate cancer is more common in North America, northwestern Europe, Australia and on the Caribbean islands.

·         Family history. You are more likely to develop prostate cancer if someone in your family has had it.

·         Overall health. Factors like your diet, weight and smoking may have an impact on whether you develop prostate cancer.

Share these tips with the men in your life to help reduce their risk of prostate cancer.

·         Exercise regularly

·         Eat at least two and a half cups of vegetables and fruit daily

·         Maintain a healthy weight

Most importantly, men need to know their risk-factors and have an annual physical to get the proper screening. Generally, doctors recommend that most men begin annual prostate cancer screening at age 50, but your doctor might recommend starting earlier based on your risk-factors.

Encourage the men who matter to you to schedule a physical and ask about their risk of prostate cancer.

Are you or a loved one struggling with cancer? Learn about Adventist HealthCare’s comprehensive cancer care services, from diagnosis to treatment and support services.

Find more tips from Nurse Rose here: www.AdventistHealthCare.com/NurseRose