Speaking about your prostate, urinary signs, or sexual dysfunction might be uncomfortable, however it’s important to males’s well being. The prostate is a tiny reproductive organ the dimensions of a walnut positioned under a person’s urinary bladder. It’s answerable for making semen and tends to develop bigger with age.
“An enlarged prostate is usually known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a noncancerous situation which will have an effect on sexual operate,” says Steven Guarnaccia, MD, a urologist with Dignity Health Medical Group — Sequoia. “Its signs embody sluggish urine circulation, issue urinating, frequent or pressing have to urinate, dribbling after urination, and waking up at evening to urinate.”
Prostate most cancers is one other widespread type of prostate illness. It’s the most typical most cancers amongst males in the US after pores and skin most cancers and is usually detected throughout a routine checkup.
Fantasy 1: I don’t have any signs, so my prostate have to be tremendous.
The fact: Males with prostate most cancers might expertise signs otherwise. Some males expertise painful ejaculation or issue urinating or urinating too typically. Others don’t have signs in any respect. The underside line is that you possibly can have prostate points with out ever figuring out it. Usually, think about having your prostate checked at age 55. African Individuals and people with a household historical past of prostate most cancers might have to be screened earlier, beginning at age 45. Speak to your physician about when and the way typically to verify your prostate.
Fantasy 2: A excessive PSA degree means I’ve prostate most cancers.
The fact: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate. When there’s a downside with the prostate, extra PSA might be launched into the physique. Whereas a excessive degree of PSA in your blood might point out an issue together with your prostate, it doesn’t routinely indicate you could have most cancers. A bigger or tender prostate, urinary tract infections, or vigorous train, like driving a motorbike, can have an effect on your PSA rating. So, don’t panic in case your PSA degree is elevated. Ask your physician what may very well be the trigger so you may take the right steps to appropriate it. Though the PSA take a look at is essentially the most generally used take a look at for prostate most cancers detection, researchers are on the lookout for new methods to detect most cancers earlier and enhance its remedy.
Fantasy 3: My PSA take a look at was regular, so I don’t want a rectal examination.
The fact: Two forms of exams search for attainable indicators of prostate most cancers. The PSA take a look at measures the extent of PSA within the blood and is the present normal for prostate most cancers detection. In some circumstances, although, most cancers is present in males with regular PSA ranges, so your physician may advocate a digital rectal examination (DRE). It is a easy process wherein a physician examines the rectum and prostate gland. In case your physician feels a lump, adjustments in firmness or dimension, or the rest out of the unusual, extra exams could also be required.
Speak to your physician about which take a look at could also be best for you. If the take a look at or exams present that you simply may need most cancers, your physician will refer you to a urologist for a prostate biopsy.
Fantasy 4: Everybody has equal danger of getting prostate most cancers.
The fact: 1 in 8 males will get prostate most cancers throughout their lifetime. A household historical past of prostate most cancers is one other appreciable danger issue.
“Males are twice as more likely to have prostate most cancers when a brother or father has had the illness ,” says Dr. Guarnaccia. “The chance is way greater for males with a number of affected relations, particularly if these family have been identified at a younger age.”
African-American males are additionally at an elevated danger. They’re extra more likely to get prostate most cancers than different males. Additionally they are inclined to get most cancers at a youthful age, have extra superior illness when caught, and have a extra extreme kind of prostate most cancers than different males.
The takeaway:
The objective of prostate most cancers screening is to establish and deal with prostate most cancers earlier than it causes any signs. Your physician might advocate a DRE and a PSA blood take a look at to verify your prostate. Males between ages 55 and 69 ought to focus on the professionals and cons of each screening take a look at with their supplier. Make an appointment together with your Dignity Well being Medical Group physician to assessment screening choices and when or how typically to have your prostate checked. Use our “Find a Doctor” device to discover a Dignity Well being doctor close to you.
