Problems with the urinary tract can be harrowing, making it difficult to pass urine. Patients battling prostate cancer, kidney stones, overactive bladder, and UTIs need constant care to help them cope. Jaspreet Singh DO is a leading specialist in urology in New Windsor ready to address your problems with the reproductive system.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer occurs when the cells inside the prostate gland start growing uncontrollably. The primary type of prostate cancer is adenocarcinomas, and it develops from the gland cells. Other forms include sarcomas, small cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and transitional cell carcinomas. The risk factors for prostate cancer include:
Age
Men above forty have a higher chance of getting prostate cancer, and these chances increase after reaching fifty years. Research surmises that six in every ten cases happen in men who are over 65 years.
Gene mutations
People who have inherited mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are more likely to get breast and ovarian cancers and prostate cancer in men. This cancer runs in the family, so subsequent generations of males are born with defective genes, making them susceptible to prostate cancer.
Interestingly, the risk is higher for men with a brother who has prostate cancer than those with a father suffering from this ailment. The problem is also more significant for men with several relatives with prostate cancer, especially if they are diagnosed young.
Race
African-American men have a significantly higher risk of contracting prostate cancer compared to men from other ethnicities. On the other hand, Asian-American and Hispanic men are less likely to get this disease. There is no scientific explanation of these trends; they are just based on data collected thus far. More so, incidences of prostate cancer are less common in Africa, Latin America, and Asia than in North America and western Europe. Better screening processes may contribute to more cases being detected.
Apart from the above risk factors, diet, obesity, STIs, exposure to certain chemicals, smoking, and so forth may increase the chances of prostate cancer. Some research derives that men who have had a vasectomy stand a higher risk for prostate cancer.
How can I prevent prostate cancer?
The above risk factors notwithstanding, men can take specific measures to boost their health and reduce the risk for this disease.
Proper diet
Nutrition is at the heart of physical and mental health. You can speak to a nutritionist to advise you on the right kinds of food to incorporate into the diet. Physical exercise is vital to help you maintain a healthy weight too.
Prescriptions
5-alpha reductase inhibitors and aspirin are believed to lower the risk of prostate cancer. However, it would help if you spoke to a certified physician before settling for this option. They can also advise on taking Vitamin E and selenium supplements for the same reason.
Urological problems are common among men, and they can present in many shapes and forms. Prostate cancer is a severe disease that calls for early detection and intervention to save patients’ lives. Book a consultation today for screening and start treatment.