February is National Cancer Prevention Month, which is a good time for men to get an annual check-up and talk with their doctor about their overall health and risk factors like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. For men over 40, another risk factor they should not ignore is prostate cancer. It is a disease that affects approximately one in seven men every year in the U.S.
Many men think the odds are in their favor that they won’t get prostate cancer. However, don’t bet your life on it. I know because in November of 2018, I was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer after an annual physical that included a PSA blood test. I was blindsided by my advanced-stage cancer diagnosis. This is why February, National Cancer Prevention Month, should serve as a reminder for all men, to talk with their doctor about getting a PSA test. It is what you don’t know about your health that can hurt you.
According to Dr. Gregory S. Merrick, who is an internationally recognized uro-oncologist and the Director of the Urologic Research Institute at the Ohio University Medical School, “Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer diagnoses in the United States.”
Dr. Merrick also points out that prostate cancer is only one aspect of men’s health which is why this month should serve as a wake up call for every man. Dr. Merrick says, “quality of life and overall survival can be positively influenced by 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise, resistance training three times per week since, after the age of 50, men develop osteoporosis as fast as women, a heart healthy diet, no tobacco products, alcohol in moderation and appropriate cancer screenings to include a colonoscopy.” However, the road to good health is not a “one size” fits all solution. This is why it is so important that you talk with your doctor first and let them prescribe a diet and exercise program that is based on your overall health.
So let this February, National Cancer Prevention Month, motivate you to see your doctor. Be proactive with you health and identify any diseases in the early stage so as to lessen the necessary treatments. Your health is your responsibility and it just may save your life!
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