It’s that time of the year again, autumn has come and gone and the cold winter winds have begun to roll in and you might notice a sudden increase in the number of men sporting mustaches of varying styles. This isn’t a sudden fashion trend that you’re missing out on, but rather an incredible cause and form of charity focusing on men’s health! We’re of course talking about Movember, a foundation dedicated to bringing attention to prostate and testicular cancers as well as suicide awareness!
The Integrative Hormone Center is dedicated to everything about the good health of Men. Our mission is to help obtain optimal health and encourage preventative measures to keep them healthy and living the best life possible! We understand the health challenges that afflict men, like heart disease, prostate cancer, and general stress! We also encourage men to get informed, encourage others to learn, and be aware of health concerns they face as men!
Prostate Health
Prostate health is a topic that we at IHC feel isn’t addressed openly enough! Men are the only ones born with prostates, as they are part of male sexual function, and they are notoriously problematic later in life! We agree that there needs to be more discussion around normalizing prostatic cancer screenings as well as information around when to get checked, warning signs to watch for, and preventative measures to keep men healthy!
How Serious is Prostate Cancer?
The obvious answer is that it’s cancer, and all cancers are incredibly serious! The National Institute of Health reported that in 2018, there were over 1.2 million new prostate cancer diagnoses and +350,000 deaths.
However, relatively speaking, most prostate cancers appear to be slow-growing and less aggressive than other forms of cancer. At IHC, we don’t think of this as a benefit, rather a curse. It’s due to this slow and quiet progression that so many men avoid prostate checks or fail to recognize symptoms in the latter stages.
Prostate cancer is most curable in its early stages, while the condition is still localized. It becomes incredibly problematic when it begins to spread, especially into the nearby bones and tissues. That is why early detection and prevention can quite literally save your life!
What Causes of Prostate Cancer?
While the exact cause remains somewhat of an unknown, the general scientific community is in agreement with the following risk factors that may increase your chances of developing prostate cancer. Factors such as:
Family history – Do any of the men in your family have a history of prostate cancer? A father or brother with prostate cancer doubles the likely hood of you developing it in your lifetime, if BOTH, your risk elevates to five-fold likelihood!
Racial Ethnicity – medical data collected around the world have indicated that Black men are particularly at risk for developing prostate cancer, while Hispanic men are 33% less at risk.
Genetics – Although no specific gene has been isolated as the cause of prostate cancer, there are some that have been implicated and present in a large majority of men who develop prostate cancer
Prevention is the Best Answer!
At the end of the day, the best we can do is raise awareness and follow the recommended guidelines to detect prostate cancer early, and act quickly! Men should be routinely screened for prostate health beginning in their late 40’s or early 50’s to be safe!
If you would like to learn more about men’s health or prostate prevention methods, reach out to the specialists at the Integrative Hormone Center! Call or book an appointment online and take the first step towards a healthier, fuller life!
