continued......(previous page)
The good news is that when prostatic hypertrophy is mild, the problem does not need
any treatment. However, when symptoms are not tolerable, medications can be used
to relax the prostate, or shrink it. Sometimes, if medications don’t work or aren’t an
option, surgery is needed to widen the passageway for the urethra (called trans-
urethral resection of the prostate, or TURP).
Most cases of prostate cancer occur in men older than 50, and more than 70% of
these cases are in men over the age of 65. For unknown reasons, African American
men are at higher risk than white men, as are men who have a family history of the
disease.
The good news is that prostate cancer can be detected at very early stages now by
regular screening tests. Undergoing evaluation of your prostate health every year
after the age of 50 is important (or after age 40 if you have a brother or father with the
disease, or if you are African American). Sexual activity (whether with a partner or
alone) does not increase a man’s risk of prostate problems of any kind.
Additional Information Sources for You
The National Prostate Cancer Coalition has more information on the prostate and how
prostate cancer is detected and treated. See www.pcacoaliton.org.
The good news is that when prostatic hypertrophy is mild, the problem does not need
any treatment. However, when symptoms are not tolerable, medications can be used
to relax the prostate, or shrink it. Sometimes, if medications don’t work or aren’t an
option, surgery is needed to widen the passageway for the urethra (called trans-
urethral resection of the prostate, or TURP).
Most cases of prostate cancer occur in men older than 50, and more than 70% of
these cases are in men over the age of 65. For unknown reasons, African American
men are at higher risk than white men, as are men who have a family history of the
disease.
The good news is that prostate cancer can be detected at very early stages now by
regular screening tests. Undergoing evaluation of your prostate health every year
after the age of 50 is important (or after age 40 if you have a brother or father with the
disease, or if you are African American). Sexual activity (whether with a partner or
alone) does not increase a man’s risk of prostate problems of any kind.
Additional Information Sources for You
The National Prostate Cancer Coalition has more information on the prostate and how
prostate cancer is detected and treated. See www.pcacoaliton.org.
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