Prostate cancer is a major health issue in North Carolina

Posted Monday, March 9, 2009

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Pittsboro, NC - Prostate cancer is a major health issue in North Carolina. The death rate from prostate cancer in North Carolina is one of the highest in the nation; African-American men in North Carolina have one of the highest death rates from prostate cancer in the world.In Chatham County, African American men have a death rate of 67.2 whereas white men have a death rate of 24.2 from prostate cancer. African American men are almost 3 times more likely to die of prostate cancer than white men.

Men are you ready to get in the game? Don’t let prostate cancer take the win.

Get Screened! Prostate screening can help identify several non-cancerous conditions that can become uncomfortable if left untreated. It is also currently the only known method of detecting prostate cancer during its early silent stages. This means the availability of better options, and can often mean more time to research and consider those options.

Know the Symptoms! Some physical symptoms can include a need to urinate frequently; difficulty starting urination or holding back urine; weak or interrupted flow of urine; painful or burning urination; difficulty in having an erection; painful ejaculation; blood in urine or semen; frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs. However, the most common symptom is no symptom at all—so that is why getting screened is so important.

Reduce the Risk! Check out the tips below:

· Heart Healthy Diet = Prostate Healthy Diet

• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day
• Maintain a Healthy Weight
• See Your Doctor for Annual Physicals
• Keeping your cholesterol under control may also help to reduce risk
• Work with your physician to keep your prostate healthy by addressing other common issues such as inflammation and enlargement.
• Make sure you have an annual prostate screening and keep track of your results. Early detection of prostate cancer can be critical to survival.

For more information or to volunteer to promote men’s health, call Megan Bolejack at 919-545-8518. You can also learn more about prostate cancer by visiting these websites: www.pccnc.org or www.cdc.gov/cancer .