It's September (Part 2)

Looking back fondly on last year and my first published nursing "article", I present you with the actual text of the piece I wrote almost two years ago. It's fairly short, but I was absurdly proud of it at the time. Enjoy a small slice of my history.

September: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Introduction

It’s September and the smells of football, barbecue, and beer fill the air. Probably the last thing on your mind is your prostate, but according to the American Cancer Society, one in every six men will have prostate cancer in his lifetime (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2008). That’s better than Auburn’s chances of winning a National Championship, so we should probably turn our attention, at least for a moment, from SportsCenter to prostate health.

Explanation and Risk Factors

The prostate is a small gland located just in front of the rectum that contributes to the production of seminal fluid. Only men have prostate glands, and therefore, only men can have prostate cancer. With cancer of the prostate, the cells multiply out of control due to a genetic abnormality and can spread to other parts of the body invading other tissues where they begin to interfere with the body’s normal function. Frequent urination can be merely a symptom of the mass amount of alcohol fans consume on game days, but if you’re over 55 and trips to the restroom extend past the weekends and begin to interrupt your week, you might want to think about heading to your doctor for an exam because this could be a symptom of highly developed prostate cancer (ACS, 2008). However, early prostate cancer generally doesn’t have many obvious symptoms, so if you’re in your late fifties and at high risk it’s a good idea to get a regular exam even if there don’t seem to be any signs of the disease (Smith et al., 2002). Cancer of the prostate occurs most frequently in men in their mid-to-late fifties, and is especially prevalent in African-American populations and those with a family history of prostate cancer (ACS, 2008).

After Diagnosis

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer there are many options and courses of action you can take. First, the cancer must be staged to determine tumor size and spread, presence in the lymph nodes, and whether the cancer has metastasized, that is, moved to other parts of the body. Once it has been staged, you and your doctor can determine the best treatment plan for you. If caught early on, one common route is the “watchful waiting” method that requires no active treatment unless symptoms develop and the cancer grows. This option allows patients, under careful screening, to continue with their daily activities without the risks of surgery. It is good to know that the survival rate of prostate cancer has greatly increased in the past couple of years but, without early detection, this cancer can require a radical prostatectomy, which involves the removal of the prostate and surrounding tissues, or, if it spreads, can lead to death (National Cancer Institute [NCI], 2000).

Conclusion

So, what can you do if you are at high risk? Please visit and talk to your physician soon. There are many doctors in the area that can perform a simple Digital Rectal Exam to determine if further tests might be needed. In addition, the East Alabama Urology Associates in Opelika offers the services of two expert physicians who specialize in men’s health (East Alabama Urology Associates, 2000). Alright, you can turn the television back on. It’s September, and I hope this year, with the smells of football, barbecue, and beer, you’re thinking, “War Eagle. It’s about time for my prostate check-up.”