Health
Study Links Neglecting This Practice To Sharp Increase In Prostate Cancer Risk
One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, according to the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is currently the second most common cause of cancer-related fatalities, after lung cancer. Many people, however, make it through this experience and lead healthy lives. One of the most important risk factors for prostate cancer that affects a person’s chances of surviving the disease is early identification.
How To Lower Your Prostate Cancer Risk
You should be aware of a number of risk factors for prostate cancer. These include ageing, genetics, family history, lifestyle, and ethnicity (African Americans are more likely to get prostate cancer). Additionally, there are a number of risk factors that may be changed, including nutrition, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking. However, getting frequent tests is the most crucial thing you can do to reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Men may significantly increase their risk of prostate cancer by 45% simply by omitting this screening. Early detection enables prompt therapy implementation, which greatly enhances results.
The PSA Screening Studies
For the past 20 years, data has been gathered by the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, or ERSPC. Tens of thousands of males from seven European nations participated in the study. Based on their research, it was calculated that regular screenings could lower the risk of dying from prostate cancer by 20%. However, it has been shown that fewer and fewer men do, in fact, have these examinations every year. Prostate cancer risk has been closely associated with this decline in attendance. Researchers at the University Medical Center’s Erasmus MC Cancer Institute in the Netherlands produced this discovery.
Findings of the Netherlands Study
One in six of the 72,460 male participants in the sample had missed all of their appointments. According to the study, these individuals had a 45% increased chance of passing away from prostate cancer. Dr. Renée Leenen, the study’s primary author, proposed that those who forego routine examinations are “care avoiders.” These individuals tend to disregard preventative measures and healthy habits. Conversely, people who do go to screenings typically lead healthier lives overall.
Encouraging Attendance
The reasons why some men attend these examinations while others do not remain a mystery to researchers and medical professionals. Dr. Leenen thinks it’s critical to understand why some men choose not to show up for these vital meetings. They could more successfully develop programs that inform and motivate men about the advantages of screenings if they could identify the variables that prevent men from going. The European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid, Spain, recently featured the findings collected for this study. Their objective is to raise awareness of these problems and, ideally, spur global action.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Men who regularly attend screenings also tend to have healthier lifestyles, as was previously established. Your risk is influenced by a number of factors, including your level of stress management skills, exercise habits, and dietary choices. Regular screening attendees are also more likely to take into account the other risk factors for prostate cancer, according to research. However, what about people who don’t show up for screenings? Why do they do it? Denial, fear, and hectic schedules appear to be the primary causes of males skipping these examinations or ignoring their health in general. Prostate screenings may also be viewed by some men as evasive and emasculating, which may deter them from participating.
The Advances in Prostate Screening
Because they view screenings as intrusive, many men try to avoid them. This is primarily due to the fact that physicians once used a method known as the digital rectal exam. To assess the prostate gland’s health using this method, a physician must stick a finger into the rectum. Although it is still occasionally used, the Prostate-Specific Antigen test, a straightforward blood test, has mostly taken its place. By measuring the blood levels of this antigen, this test enables medical professionals to identify any prostate problems. Despite only requiring a brief blood sample, this test has the potential to be life-or-death.
The Bottom Line
If you want to prevent prostate cancer, you should take into account a number of risk factors. However, getting frequent tests is the simplest method to find out if there are problems or to get treatment in a timely manner. They’re not as evasive as they used to be, but they’re also effective. Biopsies and MRI scans are two more diagnostic methods that doctors can now use to further improve the accuracy of a diagnosis. There is a lot of peace of mind to be gained and nothing to lose by taking the test. You won’t have to worry about anything for another year if the test is negative. You will have detected it early enough to obtain appropriate treatment if the results are positive. However, skipping the appointment could have highly detrimental effects and raise your risk of prostate cancer considerably.
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