Tips for Better Prostate Health

Here's what you can do to keep your prostate as healthy as possible.

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and a good time to take stock on some of the more common health issues men face. One such area of concern is the prostate. Many men secretly worry about their prostate and how to keep it healthy. That's because the prostate is a key driver of urinary control and erectile function. If anything happens that affects the health of the prostate, these two vital functions may be in jeopardy.

One of the biggest concerns men have regarding their prostate is getting prostate cancer—and with good reason. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men behind skin cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men after lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Other issues related to the prostate include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate, and prostatitis, which is associated with inflammation of the prostate gland and often causes pain.

Although there is no way to guarantee you won't get prostate cancer or another issue related to your prostate, the steps below may improve the health of your prostate and lower your cancer risk. As an added bonus, many of the tips will also make you healthier overall.

Exercise regularly. Although an exact link between exercise and prostate cancer hasn't been established, regular physical activity has been shown to help people lose weight and/or maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is linked to an increase in several types of cancer, so lowering your body mass index (BMI) may keep you protected from prostate, as well as other types of cancer. Regular exercise is also good for your heart, which is something men can benefit from at all ages.

Get screened. There are differences of opinion about prostate cancer screenings in relation to when they should happen, how often and how effective they are. The best way to determine if and when you should be screened for prostate cancer is to talk to your doctor. Together you can weigh the pros and cons of screening and decide if it's right for you.

Know the warning signs. See a doctor if you have any of these symptoms that may indicate a health issue related to your prostate: urinating frequently; needing to get up many times during the night to urinate; painful urination; dribbling of urine; blood in urine or semen; painful ejaculation; or frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal area.

Rutland’s Marble Valley Urologists suggest that you talk to your primary care provider at the first sign of urinary issues. Urologic conditions can sometimes cause discomfort or embarrassment that affects your quality of life. Getting a diagnosis and treatment early can help you avoid long-term struggles so that you can get on with your life. Learn more at https://www.rrmc.org/services/urology/