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According to Dr. Jerome Hoeksema, a urologist at Rush University Medical Center, "If a man lives long enough, the question isn't whether he will get prostate cancer; it's when he'll get prostate cancer." Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States, with about 30,000 deaths annually -- so it's no wonder that prostate health is a hot topic.
BHP
The prostate continues to grow slowly throughout a man's life, such that he eventually experiences enlargement of the prostate, also known as BHP, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. This enlargement is non-cancerous, but can cause symptoms such as difficulty in urinating, dribbling of urine, frequent urination and a regular feeling of urgency. According to MayoClinic.com, by age 60 about half of men experience symptoms of BPH and by age 90 almost all men do.
Cancer of the Prostate
Because BHP is a normal condition that eventually affects most men, and because the symptoms of BHP are the same as the early symptoms of prostate cancer, it's important for men to be screened for prostate cancer as they age. Most men should be screened for prostate cancer annually once they reach age fifty, including a manual prostate exam and a blood test called PSA, which checks for antibodies your body makes in response to prostate cancer cells. Your doctor may advise you, depending on your health and family history, to begin screening at a younger age if you at particularly at risk for prostate cancer.
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
Men of African descent are more at risk for prostate cancer than men of other races. Other risk factors -- besides increasing age -- include obesity, a high-fat diet, low fiber consumption, and a family history of prostate cancer.
Diet and Lifestyle for Prostate Health
According to MayoClinic.com, the best diet to promote prostate health is a low-fat, high-fiber diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as foods high in folate, such as whole grains. Although you may have read miracle claims for lycopenes -- a component of tomato-based foods -- the jury is still out as to whether lycopenes really promote prostate health.
Managing Symptoms
If you experience BPH symptoms, some changes in your daily routine could help make the symptoms less bothersome. It's best to avoid drugs, such as alcohol and caffeine, that tend to cause you to produce more urine than usual. If your doctor has prescribed such a drug, called a diuretic, for a medical condition, he might suggest taking them only in the morning, to prevent frequent bathroom visits at night. Another way to prevent frequent waking is to limit your drinking at night -- some doctors recommend not drinking anything a couple hours before bedtime. Some men find that they manage their symptoms better if they schedule frequent bathroom visits, and plan other activities around that schedule.
