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The INDEPENDENT, May 19, 2011
EMS week offers chance to plan
To Your Health!
By Judy Hargis, P.A
Prostate Cancer
Screening
Prostate cancer is the
most common type of can-
cer in men, other than skin
cancer.
The American Cancer
Society estimates that
there were 217,730 new
cases diagnosed in 2010. The prostate lies just
below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
Size and shape varies with age. In younger men
it is the size of a walnut but in older men it can
be much larger. It contains cells that make some
of the seminal fluid (semen) that protects and
nourishes sperm. The urethra (the tube that car-
ries urine) runs through the center of the
prostate. If the prostate becomes enlarged it can
interfere with urination and sexual function.
The question of prostate cancer screening is
a complex one. There is no unanimous opinion
in the medical community. Most prostate cancers
are very slow growing. Studies have shown that
by the age of 80 years, most men will have evi-
dence of prostate cancer. Most men who have
prostate cancer will die from other causes.
Prostate cancer treatment may lead to side
effects that outweigh the benefits of treatment.
Treatment for prostate cancer may have risks
and side effects including erectile dysfunction,
urinary incontinence and/or bowel dysfunction.
Screening for prostate cancer can include a
blood test for prostate specific-antigen (PSA)
and a digital rectal exam (DRE). PSA is a protein
produced by both cancerous (malignant) and
noncancerous (benign) prostate tissue. This can
complicate testing, because an enlarged
prostate, a prostate infection (prostatitis), and
other less common conditions, can cause PSA
to be elevated. False positives are common.
Only one in four men who have a positive PSA
M
test will turn out to have prostate cancer.
DRE is also an important way to evaluate the
prostate for abnormalities. Most men are aware
of this exam, which involves a health care
provider inserting a gloved finger into the rectum
to feel for abnormal changes in the prostate.
Risk factors for prostate cancer are important
in determining whether a screening for prostate
cancer is appropriate for an individual. Age is im-
portant because as you get older the risk of
prostate cancer greatly increases. The majority
of prostate cancers are found in men age 65 and
older. Ethnic background can play a role in risk
factors. For reasons, not clearly understood,
African American men have a higher risk of de-
veloping and dying from prostate cancer. Family
history is an important risk factor. If you have a
family member who developed prostate cancer
before 65 years, your risk is greater. If you have
several first-degree relatives who have been di-
agnosed with prostate cancer at an early age
(father, grandfather, brothers etc.) you are con-
sidered very high risk. It is also thought that obe-
sity and a high fat diet may increase risk.
It is hard to sort though the various recom-
mendations. The American Urological Associa-
tion, ACS, UPTFS, CDC, and NIH are the major
organizations making recommendations for
prostate screening. There is no unanimous con-
sensus on prostate cancer screening at this
time, so it is important to educate yourself on this
issue. A positive PSA test may be a lifesaver for
some men. It is important to have PSA testing if
you have increased risk of developing prostate
cancer, However not all men need the screen-
ing.
This is an important conversation to have with
your health care provider. He or she can evalu-
ate your risk factors and overall health, and de-
termine when and if you should start or discon-
tinue prostate cancer screening. There is no
easy answer, so educating yourself is critical.
Here are some websites on prostate cancer
screening that can be helpful:
• USA.gov: Prostate Cancer
Screening: A Decision Guide is
available to download from this
site.
• ACS.org: good resource for
current information on cancer.
al Marijuan
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a
ivery Service
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High Quality
Fast Service
503-805-2663
O.M.M.P. card required
Visit us online at www.goweed.org
503-901-1705
From page 7
us to help them help us,” said
Murphy. “Planning for disasters
means that we must plan for
the Whole Community, includ-
ing people of different ages and
those with access and function-
al needs. It means planning for
children, planning for the elder-
ly, and planning for families
without access to personal
transportation. It means meet-
ing our first responders more
than half way when the chips
are down.”
Tips to help us be better pre-
pared for emergencies, and en-
hance access to help during
disasters include:
• Build a “72 hour Disaster
Kit” make a disaster plan, and
keep a well-stocked First Aid
Kit.
• Make a list of emergency
phone numbers. Write down
the numbers you need in your
disaster plan and display them
near all telephones in the
house.
• Make sure your house
number is visible from the
street. Make it easier for police,
fire officials or emergency med-
ical personnel to find your
house. Put large house num-
bers in a highly visible area.
Make sure the numbers are
well-lit and can be seen at
night.
• Keep a clear and up-to-
date record of immunizations.
This can help doctors do a bet-
ter job of diagnosing problems
in an emergency.
• Write down medical condi-
tions, medications and dos-
ages. Being prepared in ad-
vance helps assure proper
treatment and prevent drug in-
teractions.
• Make a list of allergies and
reactions, and consider med-
ical I.D. bracelets or tags.
• Take first-aid classes. A ba-
sic class will teach CPR and
proper ways to treat burns,
wrap sprains, apply splints, and
perform the Heimlich maneu-
ver.
FEMA’s Resolve to be
Ready in 2011 campaign pro-
motes Whole Community in-
volvement in disaster pre-
paredness. “Become involved
in programs that strengthen
your community’s disaster re-
silience. Investigate training
and volunteer opportunities
available through the American
Red Cross, Citizen Corps or
Community Emergency Re-
sponse Teams,” continued
Murphy. “No matter how busy
or hectic our daily routine, we
all need to take the time to take
positive action to prepare our-
selves, our loved ones and our
communities in the event of se-
vere weather, earthquake, or
any other major disaster.”
For more information on Na-
tional EMS Week observances,
visit: http://www.acep.org/ems
week/ . For more information
on the Ready Campaign and
Citizen Corps, visit www.fema.
gov, Ready.gov and Citizen-
Corps.gov.
Columbia County
Mental Health
800-294-5211
-----------------
Suicide Hotline
1-800-
784-2433
or
1-800-273-
TALK(8255)
Domestic Abuse
Hotline
503-397-6161
or
866-397-6161
-----------------
Military Helpline
888-HLP-4-VET
(888-457-4838)