| Did you know that prostate cancer is the greatest killer | | | | and have the test! |
| of men in industrialized nations? The sad truth is 90% | | | | A general enlargement might indicate BPH. Some |
| of men develop some type of prostate problem by | | | | enlargement plus bumps or sponginess is often a sign |
| the age of 60. | | | | of prostatitis. This is an infection and inflammation of |
| Yet many have a cavalier attitude to prostate health. | | | | the prostate which can show up in the form urinary |
| They think it can't happen to them and they dismiss | | | | complaints, burning, itching and unusual discharge from |
| the warning signs and symptoms as a nuisance which | | | | the penis. |
| will go away. Sadly, unless treated, they won't go | | | | A rock hard prostate can indicate cancer. If any |
| away. | | | | irregularities are found, your doctor usually calls for |
| So what are the warning signs of potential prostate | | | | more tests. |
| problems, what tests can you have and what can you | | | | A healthy prostate will not feel painful when pressed |
| do to protect your prostate? | | | | on. This test can detect disease early and spare you |
| WHAT IS THE PROSTATE? | | | | from illness, debility and more unpleasant medical |
| Both a sex gland and a muscle, your prostate is | | | | procedures. |
| located just below the bladder and in front of the | | | | The second test is a Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA] |
| rectum. Its lobes wrap around tubing, called the urethra, | | | | blood test. |
| which carries urine out through the penis. In a young | | | | PSA is a protein that is present in blood samples and it |
| man the prostate is walnut sized. Later in life it typically | | | | is thought to be produced in the prostate. PSA |
| grows larger. | | | | numbers seem to rise when infection and inflammation |
| One of its main jobs is to produce secretions that | | | | are present in the prostate gland. As with DRE, all men |
| eventually nourish sperm. Its other function is as a | | | | should have their first test at age 40 and then annually |
| muscle involved in the process of ejaculation. | | | | beginning at age 45. |
| As a man ages, the gland can increase in size over | | | | The PSA test has been quite controversial, because |
| time and press against the urethra to the extent that | | | | results are not always consistent with the absence or |
| his ability to urinate and empty the bladder can be | | | | presence of prostate problems. |
| affected. This effect is known as BPH or benign | | | | A reading of 4.0 or below is considered safe. Above |
| prostatic hyperplasia. | | | | that figure is not a good sign and a score of 10.0 or |
| WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF BPH? | | | | higher is considered dangerous. A possible indication of |
| The most common signs are nocturnia [getting up | | | | cancer beyond the prostate. These figures can |
| several times a night to urinate], weak urine stream | | | | change each year, so don't be complacent if your |
| and a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. A | | | | score is 4.0 or below at present. Continue to have |
| man can also suffer from dribbling before and after | | | | your annual test. |
| urination, frequent daytime urination and increased | | | | When you have your annual PSA test, it is a good |
| urgency. | | | | idea to ask your doctor to check your blood ALBUMIN |
| WHAT TESTS CAN YOU HAVE? | | | | level. This is recommended by Dr Larry Clapp, author |
| There are 2 main tests that you can have. | | | | of "Prostate Health in 90 Days without Drugs or |
| The first is a Digital Rectal Exam or DRE. During the | | | | Surgery." Albumin protects tissues from free radical |
| exam, your doctor places his gloved index finger into | | | | damage [cellular damage that can progress to cancer]. |
| your rectum to evaluate the condition of your prostate. | | | | Healthy people tend to have high albumin levels. When |
| While many men dread this procedure, a DRE is a | | | | you are sick and your immune system is under stress, |
| must for any man at risk for prostate problems and | | | | your albumin level usually drops. |
| should be performed during an annual physical exam | | | | Never start a new treatment before consulting your |
| for men over 40. I am aged 68 and have this test as a | | | | doctor, especially if you are currently taking medication. |
| part of my annual physical check up. | | | | The information published in this article is not intended |
| You may feel uncomfortable the first time but it is a | | | | as a substitute for personal medical advice from your |
| very simple procedure, taking only seconds. My | | | | physician or other qualified healthcare practitioner. It is |
| message is: Your health is at stake here so get over it | | | | for information purposes only. |