Prostate Cancer: Daddy, What You Need to Know

Prostate Health Alert!

To all daddies over 50..

Let’s talk about something important that is often overlooked.

Certain signs, like frequent urination or changes in urine flow, might seem like minor inconveniences. But sometimes, they’re your body’s way of whispering that something deeper needs attention.

Sometimes, it’s something harmless. Other times, it could be a red flag.

A simple serum PSA test can help you catch prostate cancer early, when it’s the most treatable.

Read on to understand why this tiny hormone called testosterone can be both your strength… and your warning sign.

What if you have these symptoms?

Don’t panic. It might be due to either one of the most common conditions:

1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
2. Prostate cancer
   

BPH? No worries

It is a non-cancerous and age-related enlargement of the prostate gland. It is fairly common in men above 70 and is highly manageable with lifestyle changes and medication.

Prostate cancer? Still no worries

It is a very slow-growing cancer. Moreover, if detected early, it can easily be cured. Being the most common cancer in older men, it is wise to get your serum PSA levels, a simple blood test, to stay cautious.

What does your PSA level tell about your prostate health?

PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen, a protein often elevated when cancer cells are present. The maximum limit for PSA for a 70-year-old man is 6 ng/ml. Anything above this is worth getting this checked.

Testosterone: your power or your problem?

This hormone is responsible for a man’s strength, drive, and vitality. But the same hormone can act as a double-edged sword. Prostate cancer cells feed on testosterone. So, the more testosterone, the more aggressive your cancer gets.

This is why testosterone plays a crucial role in treatment.

The most common treatment strategy when you are diagnosed with cancer is hormonal therapy. Also known as androgen deprivation therapy, this completely blocks out testosterone produced by the testis and adrenal gland. While 90% of the testosterone is produced by the testis, a small percentage of this hormone is produced by your adrenal glands above the kidneys.

By completely blocking the production of testosterone, doctors can control the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Cancer cells are metastatic? Worry not. Radiation can help

Prostate cancer has a propensity to metastasize or spread to the nearby lymph nodes and bones. If this has happened, it can still be controlled through a combination of hormonal and radiation therapy.

Bottom-line

Like in all cancers, early diagnosis is the key when it comes to prostate cancer. However, there is still hope, even if not detected early on, as it is a very common and slow-growing cancer.

Let’s stay aware and stay healthy!

Do share it with your fellow daddies over 50.

Disclaimer: This post is intended for awareness purposes only. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.