Dr. Richard Windsor is a urologist with BayCare Clinic. He joined us on Wisconsin Tonight to talk about Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
The prostate gland makes fluid that is part of semen. It is about the size of a walnut and sits just below the bladder in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, which empties urine from the bladder.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in America. It affects the tissues of the prostate gland. It usually grows slowly. More than 220,000 men were diagnosed with it last year, second only to skin cancer. More than 27,000 men died of it last year, the second-leading cause of death among men with cancer.
What causes this type of cancer?
That isn’t known, and there often aren’t any early warning signs because it lives on the outside shell of the prostate. When it is advanced, you may see blood in the urine and experience difficulty with urination, but the problem with prostate cancer is that you really don’t see those until it’s advanced. A weak urine flow or frequent urination may be signs of prostate cancer. However, they also can be caused by prostate conditions that are not cancerous.
Why the focus on prostate cancer this month?
It’s about being informed and aware. One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. That makes it an important men’s health issue. Men at risk of prostate cancer are strongly encouraged to discuss with the healthcare provider recommended screenings. Early diagnosis offers multiple treatment options for patients.
Who should be especially interested or at least aware?
* Men with a father, brother or son who’ve had prostate cancer have a higher-than-average risk of getting it and should be aware of that risk.
* African-American men are more likely than white men to get prostate cancer and to die from it. They need to be aware of that risk and the importance of early detection.
* Men under testosterone treatments or regularly taking vitamin E and folic acid supplements can increase the risk of prostate cancer.
* Men with a diet high in dairy foods and calcium may have a slightly elevated risk of contracting prostate cancer.
* Although the risk of prostate cancer increases as men get older, most men with prostate cancer don’t die from it.
What are the key takeaways from the month’s spotlight on this disease?
* More than 2 million men have survived prostate cancer.
* Prostate cancer is treatable and curable when found early.
* When found early, the potential for prostate cancer cure is very high, a 90, 95 percent chance of being cured.
* The best way to be proactive about prostate health is to talk to your doctor about your risk factors, if any, and discuss whether you need screening tests.
For more information call 888-437-9613 or visit baycare.net
