Prostate Cancer

Fact or Fiction: Dissecting Myths About Prostate Cancer

male-patient-consults-with-doctorPart of our medical philosophy here at Abraham Family Medicine is that it is incredibly helpful for people to be as knowledgeable about their health and common medical conditions as possible. It can pay massive dividends for people to have a basic understanding of their risk factors in order to seek treatment as quickly as possible in the case of a change in their health. In honor of the upcoming Prostate Cancer Awareness month, our expert healthcare providers thought it would be helpful to debunk a few common myths about prostate cancer.

Myth #1: Only Older Men Are at Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer

This is not true. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, about 1 in 9 men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. There are several prostate cancer risk factors for men to be aware of. Age is certainly one of them, as about 65% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older. However, that also means that the remaining 35% are diagnosed at an earlier age.

Myth #2: The PSA Test is a Prostate Cancer Screening Method

This is a common misconception. While a PSA test is incredibly helpful in detecting irregularities with the prostate, it cannot alone be used to determine if someone has prostate cancer. PSA (or prostate-specific antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate in response to many potential prostate issues, large and small. This includes inflammation, infection (prostatitis), enlargement of the prostate, or prostate cancer in some cases. Once a PSA test is done, additional prostate cancer screenings or tests will be performed in order to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Myth #3: Getting a Vasectomy Will Increase the Risk of Prostate Cancer

While this was once thought to be true, the fact is that after years of testing and research, there is no link between having a vasectomy and developing prostate cancer. Conversely, opting for a vasectomy can lead to the prostate being checked more often and early detection of prostate cancer in cases where it does occur.

Because prostate cancer is so common, understanding risk factors and knowing the facts about it can be incredibly beneficial for men of all ages. For more information on prostate cancer or to schedule your screening appointment today, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

Men’s Health Month at Abraham Family Medicine This June

male-consults-with-doctorJune is Men’s Health Month in the US, which is why the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine thought it would be a great time to discuss what men can do to promote long-term health and wellness. Doing so requires knowledge of common health concerns that affect men as they age, as well as what can be done to prevent them. In our office, our providers believe that prevention is often the best treatment for any health condition. So with this in mind, we wanted to provide a few facts and tips for guys to live by.

Understand Which Concerns To Keep Tabs On

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), of the 15 leading causes of death in the US, men die at a higher rate than women for all of them (with the exception of Alzheimer’s disease). However, men should be especially cognizant of their potential risks of developing prostate cancer, lung cancer, and heart disease.

Never Miss Regular Screenings or Exams

As we previously mentioned, preventing serious health concerns before they occur should always be the goal. And attending annual wellness exams, as well as other recommended health screenings (depending on your age), is a critically important part of this prevention plan. In addition to gauging health metrics like blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol, undergoing annual screening appointments like a prostate exam, colonoscopy, and eye exam are also essential. Screenings for chronic health issues like diabetes and heart disease are also extremely important.

Adjust Your Routine As You Age

Getting the recommended amount of weekly exercise (150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity) is critical. And while it’s important to be physically active and exercise regularly, it’s also important to know your limits and adjust your exercise regimen when appropriate. Injuries occur more regularly for men starting in middle age, and it’s important not to put unnecessary strain on back, knees, or other parts of the body that may be susceptible to injury.

Here at Abraham Family Medicine, we perform annual exams for men of all ages to provide our patients with a better understanding and a more complete picture of their overall health status. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

What To Know About Prostate Cancer Screenings

What To Know About Prostate Cancer ScreeningsSeptember is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. With this in mind, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to take some time to discuss a few things men should know about prostate cancer screenings. It’s a fact that making and keeping annual screening appointments is a critical step for men trying to maintain their health and wellness as they age. However, it’s critical for men to fully understand the importance of screening appointments and their personal prostate cancer risk.

While it may not be possible to prevent illnesses like prostate cancer, regular screening appointments can ensure that the cancer is detected while it is in its earliest and most treatable stage. Thankfully prostate cancer is slow to metastasize relative to many other cancers. Still, if left untreated prostate cancer can spread throughout the body and become life-threatening for men.

There are two commonly used prostate cancer screening methods. Traditionally, healthcare providers have used what is known as a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) to manually detect abnormalities within or around the prostate area. However, many doctors today prefer the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. PSAs are ​​ substances naturally produced by the prostate. Elevated PSA levels can be a sign of breast cancer or other conditions that affect the prostate like inflammation.

One thing men can do to better understand their risk of developing prostate cancer and how proactive they should be about starting annual prostate exams is identifying the risk factors commonly associated with the disease. Prostate cancer risk factors include:

  • Being 50 years of age or older
  • Having a close relative (a father, brother, or uncle) who developed prostate cancer before the age of 65
  • Being of African American descent
  • Eating a diet high in animal fats and low in fresh vegetables

We hope our readers found this helpful and informative. It’s not hyperbole to say that regular screening for prostate cancer can be legitimately life-saving for men as the years go on. We strongly recommend speaking with your healthcare provider about prostate health during your next annual physical appointment. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville and Stone Mountain.

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