Every year, Septembers is observed as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer organisations around the world come together to increase awareness about prostate cancer. Did you know that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer types in men? September month is dedicated to educating more and more people about prostate examination, prevention and overall well-being of male health. It is recomended that men aged 50 and above must discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) also advises men who may be at a higher risk must have this conversation at age 45.  It is important that we curb the  Prostate health issues at the bud and experts are of the opinion that prostate cancer, not all type, is easier to treat before it spreads. Age acts as a major factor here and it is of utmost importance that men above the age of forty, especially the ones at a high risk must consider talking to their doctors to check if you need screening.  Doctors might prescribe an annual prostate exam as part of your yearly checkup if they deem necessasary.

Two types of prostate exam:

  • digital rectal exam

  • Prostate-specific antigen exam

It is important to take note of various symptoms of prostate cancer at home and therefore it is important that you must know of the symptoms that may cause prostate cancer. When you’re checking for prostate cancer, you must check for some of the signs of prostate cancer so that it can be caught early. However, symptoms highly vary from person to person but some of the common symptoms might include:

  • Frequent urination especially at night

  • Weak  urine flow

  • Blood in the urine or seminal fluid

  • Erectile dysfunction

  • Pain or burning during urination

  • Discomfort or pain while sitting down because of enlarged prostate

  • loss of breath

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Hip or back pain

  • Leg swelling or weakness

New research provides insights on the potential causes of racial disparities in deaths following prostate cancer surgery. The findings are published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Black men not only have a higher rate of developing prostate cancer compared with white men, but they're also more than twice as likely to die from the disease.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2020 01:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).