Health Ministry Updates
In an effort to keep the Metropolitan family informed, well and aggressive about their health, the Health Ministry presents detailed facts about newborn screening, prostate cancer and sickle cell anemia on the church website.
Prostate Cancer
The chance of getting prostate cancer goes up as a
man gets older. Most prostate cancers are found in men
over the age of 65. For reasons that are still unknown,
African American men are more likely than white men to
develop prostate cancer. Having one or more close
relatives with prostate cancer also increases a man’s
risk of having prostate cancer.
What is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive
system. It is surrounded by other glands, nerves, and
organs involved in sexual function. It is wrapped around
the urethra and helps control the flow of urine. While
you can live without a prostate, its location makes
prostate cancer difficult to treat.
Sometimes cells keep growing beyond their natural
lifespan and can swell up into a tumor. Tumor may be
harmless (benign) or harmful (malignant) to the cells
around them. Prostate cancer is a common, but usually
slow-growing cancer compared to other types of cancer.
Who is at Risk?
The average man has about a 17 percent chance of getting
prostate cancer and a three percent chance of dying from
it. Your risk increases with age. More than 65 percent
of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age
65. African-American men have a 60 percent higher risk
of getting prostate cancer than white men and are 2.5
times more likely to die from it.
Treatment:
For early or localized prostate cancer (that has not
spread outside the prostate gland or nearby area), the
most common treatment options are:
- Active Surveillance: Closely monitor the disease
and take action if necessary. Prostate cancer can
grow slowly, allowing you time to carefully evaluate
your options.
- Surgery (prostatectomy): The surgical
removal of part or all of the prostate, and other
nearby areas, if necessary.
- Radiation: Killing cancer cells with
radiation, either with an external source, or by
implanting tiny radioactive “seeds” into the
prostate tissue (brachytherapy).
- Some of the possible negative side effects of prostate cancer treatment include: incontinence, impotence, pain and depression.
What you can do:
The American Cancer Society recommends that men make an
informed decision with their doctor about whether to be
tested for prostate cancer. Research has not yet proven
that the benefits of testing outweigh the harms of
testing and treatment. Starting at age 50, talk to your
doctor about the pros and cons of testing, so you can
decide. If you are African American or have a father or
brother who had prostate cancer before age 65, you
should have this talk with your doctor starting at age
45. If you decide to be tested, you should have the PSA
blood test with or without a rectal exam.