The prostate is a ping-pong ball-sized gland found in the groin whose function is to provide men with seminal fluid, which helps sperm travel and survive in its endeavors to fertilize the egg. As with any gland, cancer could arise within it, and there are a number of risk factors that may increase your likelihood of developing the disease, such as diet, age, race/ethnicity, geography, genetic changes, and family history.
There are also a few things you can do to help potentially reduce your chances of developing prostate cancer, such as being physically active, staying at a healthy weight, eating fruits and veggies, and being aware of risk factors you’re vulnerable to.
The American Cancer Society lists a handful of potential signs that could point to prostate cancer:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Blood in the semen or urine
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain in the back, chest, or hips
- Trouble urinating, such as a weak urinary stream
- The urge to urinate frequently, especially at night
It’s important to note that many of these problems could be caused by other conditions as well, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Nonetheless, you should see your doctor as soon as possible if you present with any of the above symptoms.
If your doctor suspects you may have prostate cancer, they may perform a prostate exam, which could lead to a number of complications such as infection. Here at Ezra, we take a different approach, one that begins with a MRI. If your Ezra physician finds any cause for concern, they’ll connect you with a doctor who can perform a much safer, more specific prostate fusion biopsy.
It may be encouraging to learn that while the treatments for prostate cancer are sometimes riddled with side effects, exercise can help alleviate them. And the Prostate Cancer Free Foundation says that a healthy diet rich in isoflavones, carotenoids, cruciferous veggies, vitamin D, and polyphenols may reduce your risk of developing the disease.
If you catch prostate cancer early, the chances you’ll survive five years or more is almost 100%, making early detection incredibly important.
All of the Ezra scans could help you detect prostate cancer. If you’d like to learn more about our screening options and payment plans, you may do so by following this link.
