This month is National Prostate Cancer Awareness month, an ideal time for increasing public awareness about this devastating disease that is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, primarily affecting men who are over 50. Your urologist Des Moines, Dr. Fawad Zafar, joins men and women across the country in showing support for men’s health by wearing a blue ribbon.
Prostate cancer is typically a slow-growing disease, and there are no obvious symptoms to indicate an early onset. Because of this, it’s recommended that men over the age of 50 get annual prostate cancer screenings.
Men should be screened beginning at age 50 using the prostate specific antigen—a blood test – and a digital prostate exam administered by your urologist Des Moines. If you’re an African-American man or a man with a family history of prostate cancer, you should begin getting screening at age 40.
Are there ways to prevent prostate cancer?
- Taking the natural supplement, anti-inflammatory Zyflamend, may decrease or reverse precancerous prostate lesions.
- Pomegranate extract can aid in the reduction of prostate cancer growth.
- Vitamin D can close off a particular pathway to prostate cancer cell growth.
- A plant-based diet is recommended.
- Reducing fats and eliminating fried foods and sugar also helps to reduce prostate cancer risk factors.
- Foods such as tomatoes and watermelon (high in lycopene) may also be preventative.
With over 30 million American men living with some form of a prostate-related condition, it’s very important to be aware of any potential symptoms such as:
- A need to urinate frequently, particularly at night.
- Difficulty starting or holding back urination.
- Being unable to urinate.
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
- Difficulty getting an erection.
- Pain accompanying ejaculation.
- Blood found in the urine or semen.
- Pain or stiffness found in the areas of the lower back or upper thighs.
It’s important to remember that having any of these symptoms does not mean that you have prostate cancer, but it’s critical to rule it out as quickly as possible. The good news is that with proper treatment from an urologist Des Moines residents have the opportunity to improve quality of life, gain peace of mind, be better informed, and help prevent the advent of prostate cancer.
For the very best in prostate cancer treatment Des Moines residents should contact Dr. Zafar’s office to schedule an appointment today!