5 Facts You Need to Know About Prostate Health

We all know that prevention is key when it comes to wellness. But, there are some topics that no one wants to talk about. Prostate health is one of them. We asked one of our Crittenton nurses, Cynthia McKenna from the Crittenton Wellness Center at the OPC, to provide some basic facts that everyone needs to know about prostate health.

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, aside from skin cancer, in the United States.  According to the CDC, it is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among men of all races.
• The prostate is a small gland about the size and shape of a walnut that is part of the male reproductive system.
• As a man ages, the prostate can grow larger, and by the time he reaches 60 years of age, it could be the size of a lemon.  An enlarged prostate can often cause problems in the passing of urine.  A common condition of an enlarged prostate is called benign (noncancerous ) prostatic hyperplasia  (BPH).
• Eight out of every 10 men will eventually develop an enlarged prostate. To maintain prostate health, it is important for men who have early symptoms of BPH to see their doctor since it is a progressive disease.
• Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate, and can affect men as early as their late teens through adulthood.  Its symptoms include trouble passing urine, chills,  fever and sexual problems.  Prostatitis is not contagious and treatment usually includes antibiotics.

Prostate Health Prevention

Currently, both the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) are used for prostate cancer detection. The DRE is the standard prostate test where the doctor feels the prostate from the rectum and checks for size, lumps, and firmness.  PSA is a protein that is produced by prostate cells.  Elevated levels in the bloodstream may be an indication of cancer.

Crittenton Hospital Medical Center Health and Education Department offers PSA testing as an additional screening as part of its One Stop screening program.  The test costs just $15.  Individuals can walk-in to outpatient registration for testing. Tests can be done Monday through Friday 6 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.-12 p.m.  Results will then be given directly to the individual for review with their physician.

In addition, Crittenton offers a prostate support group open to the public on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. For more information on the group, call the Crittenton Community Health and Education Department at 248-652-5000.

The information provided in this article is meant for education and should not be used for medical diagnosis. Consult your physician with questions regarding your health. Find a Crittenton physician today.