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| It's Movember
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| Be proactive with your prostate
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In case you didn't realise and you still have a clean-shaven face, it's MOVEMBER which means this month is dedicated to raising awareness of men's cancers, specifically Prostate Cancer and testicular cancer, as well as mental health and physical wellbeing in men.
The Movember Foundation is a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives.
Since 2003, millions have joined the men's health movement, raising $685 million and funding over 1,000 programs focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the diseases men can easily be treated for, if it's discovered early.
Prostate cancer has been regarded for many years as an old man's disease - something that is a slow reactor yet something that many men die with - but not necessarily from. However, younger men should also be aware and best tested as there has been a significant increase of younger men contracting the disease. Those that have a family history should consider regular PSA testing from 40 years of age.
However, as life expectancy has greatly increased - by more than 10 years during the past four decades alone - prostate cancer has become a much greater concern.
There are currently 10,000 men are diagnosed annually with prostate cancer in Australia, with the majority more than 50 years of age, and it can be expected that more than 2,600 people will die from prostate cancer.
Should the cancer have been diagnosed early enough, many of the men would have survived. There are now so many ways of curing a man with prostate cancer and early detection and promotion of the disease has become a much more important aspect in overcoming this major disease.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate makes and stores a component of semen and is located below the bladder and in front of the bowel. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder.
A healthy prostate is about the size of a walnut and if the prostate grows too large, it can affect the flow of the urine. A doctor, by inserting the finger into the anus, can detect anomalies that may be associated with prostate cancer.
There are several aspects of the prostate that could suggest that testing is necessary.
- Sudden need to urinate
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Slow flow of urine and difficulty in stopping
- Problems in beginning to urinate
- Painful ejaculation
- Pain when urinating (a burning sensation)
- Inability to gain an erection
- Decrease in libido
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
Any men who experience one of the above on a regular basis should consult a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and subsequent treatment may save potentially lethal health problems. A doctor can either perform a physical test if necessary or organise a blood test to determine if a problem exists.
The symptoms above could be related to the following:
- Prostate Cancer - is potentially a life threatening disease that can develop even without any of the symptoms above. Regular testing should be undertaken on an annual basis for men when they turn 40.
- Prostate cancer - is the condition in which cells of the prostate reproduce more rapidly than in normal prostate, creating swelling or a tumour. The prostate cancer cells eventually break out of the prostate and attack different parts of the body producing secondary tumours.
- Prostatitis - is the inflammation of the prostate and is the least common, found generally in younger men. It can be treated, generally by antibiotics.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - is the enlargement of the prostate and found more often in older men. The enlarging of the prostate causes the urethra to be squashed and passing of urine becomes quite difficult. Treatment may be with antibiotics but some cases may need an operation to widen the urethral passage. This is undertaken by an instrument that is passed up through the urethra through the penis and parts of the prostate is removed. It is performed under general anesthetic and will need several days of hospitalization
What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is on the increase and starts as an abnormal growth or tumour that develops in one or both testicles. More than 90% of testicular cancers develop in germ cells, which are responsible for the production of sperm.
Secondary testicular tumours are caused by cancerous cells that have spread to the testicles from other parts of the body (metastasis). These cancers are much rarer than the previous forms of testicular cancer.
Know the risk factors
Young men between the age of 15 and 40 years are at the highest risk of developing testicular cancer.
The causes of testicular cancer are unknown, however there are possible factors that may increase a man’s risk including:
- Family history such as a brother or father diagnosed with testicular cancer.
- Previous occurrence of testicular cancer.
- Undescended testes at birth.
- Down syndrome is thought to increase risk of testicular cancer.
There is no known link between testicular cancer and injury to the testicles, sporting strains, hot baths or wearing tight clothes.
Symptoms, testing and treatment
Men may experience few or no symptoms of testicular cancer, however important warning signs to watch for include:
- Swelling or a lump in either testicle (usually painless)
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- Change in the size and shape of the testicles
- Aches or pain in the lower abdomen or groin
- A sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum
- Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
- Enlargement or tenderness of the breast tissue
Test yourself
Regular self-examination of the testicles is important for young men, particularly those at risk of testicular cancer.
Being familiar with the size, shape and usual level of lumpiness can help you determine if something is not quite right.
A testicular self-examination can help a man find any changes in the testes early, so that if treatment is needed it can start as early as possible.
For more information on these diseases and how to get involved (both men and women) in Movember, go to https://au.movember.com
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