Taking Charge of Men’s Health: A Guide to Prostate Awareness and Prevention
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect opportunity to focus on men’s health education and bring awareness to this disease.
Prostate cancer is the leading type of cancer among men in the United States (aside from skin cancer). In fact, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. This month serves as a crucial reminder for awareness, preventive care, and healthcare discussions.
At The Moorings at Lewes, we understand how important senior health care is. That’s why we offer a full continuum of care, ranging from independent living to assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, all with a strong focus on wellness for older adults.
Understanding Prostate Health For Seniors and Early Detection
Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland, located just below the bladder, which plays a vital role in producing seminal fluid and regulating certain hormones.
As men age, their risk of developing prostate cancer rises significantly, especially after the age of 50. For men considered high-risk, such as those with a family history of prostate cancer or African American men, screenings may be recommended as early as age 45. Preventive care through regular screenings, including the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, is one of the most effective ways to detect issues early, when treatment is often most successful.
Although prostate cancer typically progresses slowly, it’s important to understand that factors such as age, family history, genetics, and race all influence an individual’s risk. Being proactive with screenings and staying informed can make a meaningful difference in outcomes and long-term health.
Lifestyle Choices For Prostate Health
Healthy eating and lifestyle choices can drastically impact a man’s risk for prostate cancer. Here are some of the top prostate-supporting foods for men to add to their diet:
- Tomatoes
- Cruciferous Vegetables
- Berries
- Eggs
- Pumpkin Seeds
Other factors to keep in mind include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting alcohol
- Not smoking
These foods provide antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients to support and promote prostate health. In addition to eating healthy, it’s important to maintain an active lifestyle. At The Moorings at Lewes, our award-winning multi-dimensional senior wellness program, LivWell, focuses on whole-person wellness that supports physical, intellectual, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, and vocational needs.
Making Prostate Health for Seniors a Priority: Essential Next Steps:
Taking proactive steps toward prostate health can help with early detection, prevention, and peace of mind. Since early detection is key, we recommend that you have regular appointments with your doctor, where you honestly discuss any potential issues you have noticed with your prostate health, such as:
- Difficulty initiating or stopping urination
- Weak or interrupted urinary flow
- Frequent urination, particularly at night
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- Presence of blood in urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvic area
- Bone pain (indicative of cancer spread to bones)
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
It is important to note that these symptoms could also be signs of other conditions, but bringing them to the attention of your doctor is critical in maintaining prostate health.
Prostate Health Matters: Take Action Today
National Prostate Month is a reminder to take initiative when it comes to prostate health. While the statistics may seem daunting, early detection and healthy lifestyle choices are ways to help prevent early death from prostate cancer.
The key to successful men’s health management lies in taking small, consistent steps, including scheduling that overdue screening appointment, incorporating more prostate-supporting foods into your daily meals, staying physically active, and maintaining open conversations with your healthcare provider about your individual risk factors.
At The Moorings at Lewes, comprehensive senior health care extends far beyond medical treatment. Don’t wait until symptoms appear to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Ready to learn more about how The Moorings at Lewes supports comprehensive men’s health and wellness for older adults? Contact us today to discover how our Life Plan Community can be part of your proactive approach to healthy aging.
