With all the hype about ‘Movember’, Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez feels the need to look past the moustache into the deeper reason for this campaign. It’s really about two words: Men’s health.
Movember asks men to grow their moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness and encourage donations toward men’s health. And the most serious health risk currently limited to only men is prostate cancer.
So this week, your Miami urologist – who is a pioneer in prostate cancer treatment methods – would like to discuss the disease in general for those who may have questions.
What is a prostrate?
The prostate is a small gland located in the man’s pelvis between the penis and the bladder. It’s about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis.
The main job of the prostate is to produce a thick white fluid that mixes with the sperm produced by the testicles, to create semen.
What causes prostate cancer?
Like other cancers, prostate cancer does not have any known precise cause. However, there are a number of well-established risk factors being linked to prostate cancer. These include age, family history, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
When should you have an examination?
Prostate cancer typically develops slowly, so there may be no signs of the disease for years. Symptoms often only appear when your prostate is large enough to affect your urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. When this happens, you may notice that:
- You need to urinate more frequently (often during the night;
- You have to rush to the toilet to make it in time to urinate;
- It’s difficult to start urinating, causing you to strain;
- Your urine has a weak flow that leaves you feeling like your bladder has not emptied fully.
Keep in mind that these signs do NOT overwhelmingly mean that you have prostate cancer. It’s likely that they are caused by something else, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is a condition caused when the prostate just grows in size and becomes larger.
What should you do when you notice any of these symptoms?
The best course of action is to immediately visit your Miami urologist to rule out prostate cancer.For many men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, treatment is not needed right away.
Remember, all cancers are treatable if detected early, so don’t hesitate! Call the office of Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez today to schedule a confidential consultation.
