Learn About Prostate Cancer Screening And Why It's Important
You should know the risk factors for prostate cancer. This way, you will know what things to watch for and when you should go in for prostate cancer testing. Also, you should go in for the testing once you reach a certain age and then according to the schedule you are given by your health care provider. This article will cover some risk factors, as well as provide you with other information you should know about.
Risk factors for prostate cancer
- Being over the age of 40
- Genetics
- Race
- A diet that is high in animal fat and low in vegetables
- Agent Orange exposure
- Obesity
- Tobacco use
- Family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer
- Excessive radiation exposure
- Some types of viral infections
The benefits of prostate cancer screening
Prostate cancer screening is likely something you will not be looking forward to doing. However, once you do, you may feel much better. If you come up clear, then you will feel that weight come off your shoulders because you will know you are okay. If the screening shows something, then there is a chance that it has been caught in time for you to have a better prognosis than if you had waited.
When cancer is found earlier, not only will there be a better chance of curing it, but the treatment used to treat it may also be easier. Also, you may not have to undergo treatment nearly as long as if it were discovered in the later stages. Less aggressive treatment means you can avoid some of the side effects that come with those more aggressive treatments.
Treating cancer in the earlier stages can also help you to avoid some or even all of the symptoms that you may end up experiencing if the cancer were allowed to get into the later stages. Some of these symptoms can include having a difficult time urinating, an interrupted flow of urine, the inability to fully empty the bladder, pain when urinating, frequent urination, blood in the urine, and more.
Conclusion
Now that you have read about some of the risk factors for prostate cancer and the benefits of early screening, you may want to make an appointment to have yourself screened. With all the good reasons for doing so, you may see how it will be to your advantage to put your discomfort about the screening to the side and follow through with it.