September marks
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. In Singapore, prostate cancer is the third most common cancer affecting men, according to
statistics from
National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), a member of the
SingHealth group.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
The most common symptoms of prostate cancer include:
Elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA)
Lower urinary tract symptoms e.g. frequency and hesitancy
“However, the same symptoms may also occur in men with
benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). Therefore, it is important to seek the advice of your doctor whether additional testing is required when such symptoms arise,” explained
Clinical Assistant Professor Jeffrey Tuan, Senior Consultant and Head, Department of Gastrointestinal, Hepato-Pancreato-Bilary and Urology, Division of Radiation Oncology at NCCS.
3 simple ways to maintain good prostate health
For a start:
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Include more green, leafy vegetables in your daily diet. This is a good first step towards a healthy prostate as leafy vegetables contain important vitamins and antioxidants
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Exercise
regularly. Studies have shown that exercise is beneficial for prostate health
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Consider prostate cancer screening, if you are above the age of 55. Consult your doctor regarding the pros and cons of going for screening. Prostate health can easily be determined with a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a simple blood test (prostate specific antigen)
Does eating charred meats increase cancer risk? How is prostate cancer treated? Find out here!
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HealthXchange.sg are meant for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional surgical, medical or health advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Photo courtesy of iStock.