Over 50? Get Your Prostate Checked Today

Prostate cancer/Benign Prostate Enlargement (BPH) is to men what breast cancer is to women (meaning it is very common).

So if you are over 50 or your dad is, this message is for you-- you need to have your prostate checked (or urge your dad to do so).

It'll only take a few minutes at the clinic and your doctor will let you know if you have anything to worry about or not.

How will the doctor check? He/She will place a finger in your rectum to feel any changes in the prostate, such as swelling and hardening.

After a rectal examination your doctor will decide if any other tests, such as a blood test and a biopsy (where a small sample of the prostate gland is removed for further testing) is required.

Usually, the prostate gland becomes larger in older men. This can place pressure on the bladder and urethra, causing symptoms such as:

• difficulty beginning to urinate
• a flow of urine that's weak or stops and starts
• having to push or strain to pass urine
• a frequent need to urinate
• waking up frequently during the night to urinate

Prostate enlargement (BPH) can be troublesome to live with, but it doesn't pose a threat to health. However, its symptoms are similar to the symptoms of prostate cancer, and a rectal examination is one way of finding out whether the symptoms are caused by prostate enlargement or prostate cancer.

Blacks have been found to have the highest prevalence of prostate cancer, the earliest age of onset, and the greatest mortality rate from the disease. So early detection makes a huge difference in survival.

Remember to pay attention to your health and those of your loved ones.