As the coronavirus pandemic continues, it is important to not only mask up, social distance and practice good hand hygiene but also not to delay care for other illnesses or overlook symptoms unrelated to the virus.
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men and affects as many as one in every nine men. While prostate cancer is typically slow growing and can be successfully treated if detected early, some types are extremely aggressive and can spread rapidly.
Prevention and Reducing Risks
Although COVID-19 affects all genders, age groups and ethnicities, the risk for severe disease and death is higher in older men and particularly those with underlying health conditions—the same group most at risk for prostate cancer. African-American men and Caribbean men of African descent have the highest rate of prostate cancer.
According to American Cancer Society guidelines, men can reduce their risk by:
Symptoms
As men age, the prostate can become enlarged and cause frequent urination. An enlarged prostate doesn’t always signal cancer, but watch for:
Screenings
The American Cancer Society advises men to begin screening tests at:
For more information contact Thibodaux Regional Cancer Center, 985-493-4008.