November 15, 2009 To ConTaCT Usby PhoNe: 678-526-1910by FAx: 678-526-1909by e-mAil: editor@ocGNews.comvisit oNliNe: www.ocGNews.com Health & Wellness resources & lifestyle tips

By Bert Chen, MD

Georgia Urology, P.A.

As a man ages, his chance of having prostate cancer increases. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 192,280 or one in six men will be diagnosed with it this year. Unfortunately, 27,360 men in the United States will die from it in 2009. It is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. However, with prostate cancer screening and improved treatments, the death rate for prostate cancer is going down.

Part of the male reproductive system, the prostate is about the size of a walnut and weighs about an ounce. The prostate makes fluid for semen. The prostate wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. As a man grows older, his prostate can enlarge and cause urinary symptoms. These can include a weak urinary stream, more frequent trips to the bathroom, and getting up at night to urinate. This does not mean that he has prostate cancer. In its early stages, only a few men may have symptoms, such as urinary problems or pain, from prostate cancer. Because there are no warning signs of localized prostate cancer, screening tests that find cancer early may be recommended by your doctor.

How do doctors detect prostate cancer early?

Screening for prostate cancer can be done in your doctor’s office using two tests. One is a blood test for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA is a protein produced by the prostate tissue. In the United States, PSA testing is the most common way prostate cancer is detected in asymptomatic men. The other test is a physical exam called a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). With a DRE, your doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum and press on your prostate for just a few seconds. This will allow your doctor to feel for any irregularities in the size, shape or texture of your prostate that would indicate cancer. The PSA and DRE can be abnormal even when a man does not have prostate cancer. If either PSA or DRE is concerning for prostate cancer, a biopsy is needed to prove it.

The goal of prostate cancer screening is to detect the cancer before it has moved outside of the prostate.

If the cancer has moved to other parts of the body, the chance of dying from the cancer increases. Many newly found prostate cancers are confined in the prostate. If not treated, localized tumors can grow and spread to other parts of the body or metastasize. Some prostate cancer tumors grow very fast but most tumors grow very slowly over many years.

Prostate cancer screening can be a valuable part of an annual health maintenance exam. Men at higher risk for prostate cancer include men of African-American descent or men who have one or more immediate family members with prostate cancer. Screening for higher risk men typically begins at age 40. Regular screening with annual PSA and DRE is offered to all men over the age of 50. Not all men may be candidates for prostate

cancer screening based on their age or overall health. If you’re considering prostate cancer screening, have a thorough discussion of the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening with your doctor.

What treatment options are available if cancer is found?

Advancements in prostate cancer treatments have improved overall cure rates and quality of life for prostate cancer survivors. For example, robotic-assisted surgery with the

da VinciÆ system allows precise surgical removal of the prostate while preserving important structures for urinary control and sexual function. Accounting for the prostate cancer grade and stage, your age, overall health status, and personal preference, your doctor will discuss treatment options such as active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy or hormone therapy. Different treatments can have various benefits and side effects, so take the time to get educated about all your treatment options and review your decision with your doctor.

What you need to know about prostate cancerHealthy Living Tip

5 Foods to Protect Your ProstateBy Alice Schuler RD, LD,

DeKalb Medical

1. Eating mostly vegetables is the best defense against developing prostate cancer. Plant foods are naturally low in fat and high in fiber, keeping testosterone levels healthy and providing antioxidants to help your immune system protect you from cancer.

2. Tomatoes provide plenty of lycopenes, an antioxidant found only

in certain foods. Cooked tomato products like tomato paste, spaghetti sauce, and ketchup are excellent sources.

3. Broccoli and cauliflower contain other antioxidants that both prevent prostate cancer, and clean up damage from cancer-causing toxins in the body.

4. Soy foods are low-fat and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Spice things up by substituting a meat or dairy item with one made from soy like tofu, edamame or soy milk.

5. Fatty Fish including salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines provide omega-3 fatty acids that lower the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. Men who eat three servings (one serving = 3-4 oz.) of fish rich in omega-3s per week cut the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer by 50%.

Consuming large amounts of red meat or those processed using nitrite like hot dogs, bologna and deli meats have been linked to higher risk for cancer.