The Doctor Is In: Prostate Health

Content sponsored and provided by Henry Ford Health System

Henry Ford Experts:

Mani Menon, M.D.
Director, Henry Ford Vattikuti Urology Institute

Bethany Thayer, M.S., RDN
Director, Henry Ford Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  Each year, more than 28,000 men die from prostate cancer. If diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate is almost 100 percent. At ten years post diagnosis, 98%of men diagnosed early remain alive.  The American Cancer Society recommends that men make an informed decision with a health care provider about whether to be tested for prostate cancer. Starting at age 50, men should talk to a health care provider about the pros and cons of testing so they can decide if testing is the right choice for them.

Research has found risk factors that increase your chances of getting prostate cancer include:

Age: The older a man is, the greater his risk for getting prostate cancer.

Family history: A man with a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer is two to three times more likely to develop the disease himself.

Race: Prostate cancer is more common in African-American men. It tends to start at younger ages and grow faster than in other racial or ethnic groups, but exact reason remains unknown.

Different people have different symptoms for prostate cancer. Some men do not have symptoms at all.

Symptoms can include:


Difficulty starting urination.
Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
Frequent urination, especially at night.
Difficulty emptying the bladder completely.
Pain or burning during urination.
Blood in the urine or semen.
Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn't go away.
Painful ejaculation.

The Urologists at the Henry Ford Vattikuti Urology Institute specialize in the world's most state-of-the-art treatments for prostate cancer.

Your treatment for prostate cancer may involve one or a combination of the following therapies:
Watchful Waiting
Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Hormone Therapy
Chemotherapy

New, minimally-invasive treatment options
Focal "precision prostatectomy" surgical procedure
Removes the cancerous portion of the prostate, while sparing the healthy portion to minimize side effects.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Uses soundwaves to heat and destroy cancer inside the prostate.
No weeks of radiation, no surgery and no side effects, like incontinence. Patients out that same day.

Lifestyle Recommendations
Diet and exercise are important lifestyle factors in lowering the risk of developing prostate cancer.
To reduce the chance of developing prostate cancer, men should maintain a diet that:
Is low in fat from red meat and dairy products.
Is rich in fruits and vegetables.
Is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly found in fish.
Even moderate exercise, for example walking at a moderate pace for a few hours per week, can significantly lower an individual's likelihood of developing prostate cancer.
Individuals who exercise regularly and do develop prostate cancer tend to develop a less-aggressive form of the disease versus those who do not exercise.

GAME DAY GUACAMOLE

Ingredients:
         2 1/4 cups diced avocado (2 avocados)
         1/3 cup reduced fat sour cream
         1 tablespoon lime juice
         1/3 cup salsa
         3 tablespoons finely diced red onion
         1 tablespoon finely diced jalapeno pepper
         1 garlic clove, minced
         6 ounces baked tortilla chips

Method:
In a medium size bowl, mash avocados and sour cream until fairly smooth.  Stir in the lime juice, salsa, onion, jalapeno pepper and garlic.  Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours before serving.  Serve with baked tortilla chips.  One serving consists of 2 1/2 tablespoons guacamole and a 1/2 ounce of baked tortilla chips.

YIELD:
12 servings

NUTRIENT ANALYSIS:
Calories = 113                                    Fat = 5 gm                                      Saturated fat = 1 gm
Trans fat = 0 gm                                Cholesterol = 3 mg                          Protein = 2 gm
Sodium = 139 mg                              Carbohydrate = 16 gm                   Fiber = 3 gm
Calcium = 40 mg                                Calories from fat = 40%