Men's Health Month Spotlight: Prostate Cancer
Posted in
It's June, which means it's Men's Health Month. We've been talking to men, and the people who love them, about preventable health problems, early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
Today we want to talk about cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Oklahoma men who are between 55 to 74 years old, and prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed. According to Dr. Michael S. Holzer, an INTEGRIS urologist and robotics surgeon, "all men are at risk" for prostate cancer. He says one in six men in the U.S. will develop the disease.
But prostate cancer is very curable if found early. Dr. Holzer says annual screenings, which include a blood test and rectal exam, are essential for all men beginning at age 55 until they hit 70; for men younger than 55 he recommends discussing a screening with your primary doctor or urologist first. (He also assures nervous men that rectal exams are less terrible than they might fear).
Watch the video featuring Dr. Holzer to learn more about prostate cancer prevention, risk factors, warning signs and treatment options.