The American Cancer Society and the American
Urological Association recommend an annual DRE
(digital rectal exam). A doctor feels the
prostate through the wall of the rectum to check
for abnormalities. Men, 40 and older, should
have this test, annually. The other test is the
PSA (prostate specific antigen). This is a blood
test that measures a protein made only by the
prostate. It can detect cancers at an earlier
stage than ever before. This single test,
performed annually after the age of 50, could
catch some 70 percent of positive cases, and
discovery could save your life.
What is a prostate gland? The prostate gland
is under a man's bladder. The urethra (a duct
that carries urine out of the body) passes
through the prostate gland. Because of this,
disorders of the prostate could cause urinary
symptoms such as decreased strength of urine
stream, difficulty starting to urinate and
painful urination.
In my table-hopping at various senior
centers, the subject will always surface one way
or another. Initially, someone will talk about
losing sleep and being more tired than ever
before. Still, men are reluctant to speak about
their waterworks system. Men identify weakness
anywhere in their bodies as unmanly. However,
without fail, another speaks up about the
problem, and the rest will join in.
My own problem began about 10 years ago when
I noticed difficulty maintaining a steady stream
of urine until completion. Gradually, the
condition worsened, and I found myself every two
or three hours, standing at the toilet, half
asleep, waiting to finish, and never quite
feeling relieved. My sleepless nights continued.
I never connected the fact I had unreasonable
pressure to urinate ... only hours after I had
relieved myself.
It was a physical examination by my Kaiser
doctor, David Carrington, that enlightened me to
the fact that there was relief for my condition
in the form of a small pill. Since that time, I
sleep like a baby and spread the word to all men
who will listen. I am reluctant to name the pill
I take, because it is best to contact your
physician for medication that will work best for
you.
Remember, a swollen prostate might feel like
a cantaloupe pressing on your urethra, but
medication can reduce the pressure so you can
sleep through the night. This subject is so
important I marvel that more men, after their
50s, are not aware of treatment and live with
the condition year after year.
The following symptoms suggest you should
make a medical appointment to be examined: a
weak or interrupted stream of urine; a frequent
urge to urinate, especially at night; difficulty
in starting to urinate; blood or pus in the
urine; pain or burning upon urination;
continuing pain in the lower back, pelvis, or
upper thighs.
Please remember that any one of these
symptoms does not indicate prostate cancer but
does flag that medical assistance is indicated.
New drug therapies designed to curb the growth
of prostate cells are rapidly being developed.
Early detection is vital to prevent prostate
cancer before it starts.
Those individuals who are at highest risk are
African-Americans and those with a family
history of cancer. Of all the cancers, lung
cancer is the No. 1 killer in America, and
prostate cancer is No. 2.
-- David Nankivell is a Star columnist.
Mahalo
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