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Prostate Cancer:  #2 Cancer Killer of Men
11/24/08 - 05:40 PM

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This year more than 30,000 will die of prostate cancer.  What’s worse, many men don’t know there’s something wrong until it’s too late.

“Prostate cancer has reached epidemic proportions,” says Urologist Dr. Neal Dunn. 

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.  Dunn says one in six men will develop prostate cancer in their life.  The risk goes up for African Americans or if your relative has it. 

Some symptoms:
-Frequent urination
-Blood in urine

Dr. Dunn says symptoms don’t normally show up until it’s too late.  “The bad story is there’s more prostate cancer than ever.  The good story is we’re actually now catching it earlier.  We have better screening tests and we also have better treatments.”

It’s up to men to voluntarily get tested.  Dunn recommends men start screenings at age 50.  The age dips to 35 if the disease runs in the family.  African American men are typically more prone and should always start at 30 years.  Checkups should follow every year.

The screenings include blood work and a rectal exam, but “Guys don’t like to get rectal exams. Here’s a hint, Urologists don’t like to give rectal exams, but it’s really an important test.  A very minor, rude, painless test.”

Dunn says the same number of men die from the disease as women from breast cancer.  Current treatments are medication, surgery or radiation.  Dunn’s mustache is in honor of “Movember,” a world wide charity event held during November that raises funds and awareness for the prostate cancer.

“Men are generally less healthy than women.  We are behind them in life expectancy and are less aware of our health issues.  This gives us a reason to prod people into conversation and bring up all sorts of men’s health issues.”

Movember wraps up this Saturday with a special fundraiser in Pier Park.  The public is invited to the Hoffbrau Beer Garden at 6:30.  There will be a mustache contest with prizes given away.  Money raised goes to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, to find better treatments or a cure.