Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/408004
28 | HOLIDAY 2014 bcliving.ca health & fitness Dr. Rhonda Low is a family physician and TV and radio health journalist in Vancouver. Keep up @doctorrhonda s ince its start in Melbourne over a decade ago, Movember has grown into a global movement in sup- port of men's health. For the month of November, men trade in their clean-shaven faces to proudly sport a "hairy ribbon" to raise funds for research and treatment of male diseases, most prominently prostate cancer. Beyond raising funds, Movember also aims to raise awareness – and there's a lot to know. Although current screening methods have limitations – and even the experts can't agree on what age to start getting examined – it's important for men to educate themselves about prostate health. Urgent need to urinate or difficulty doing so Frequency of urination especially at night Burning or pain when urinating Inability to urinate or trouble starting or stopping urine flow Painful ejaculation Blood in urine or semen e Blood Test e less intimidating part of the screening process involves a blood test to detect levels of a protein called the prostate specific antigen (PSA). e levels of this protein rise as the prostate gland gets larger with normal aging. While the blood test cannot diag- nose prostate cancer, it can indicate that something is wrong. So when should you get a PSA blood test? It depends on whom you ask. In B.C., a PSA test is not recommended for mass screening and is not paid for by the Medical Plan unless a man has symptoms (see below). Prostate Cancer Canada suggests that average-risk males should get a PSA test in their 40s to establish their baseline level, earlier if they're at higher risk. Mean- while, the Canadian Urological Association recom- mends PSA testing among men age 50 and over. e Prostate Exam Ah yes, that test (see opposite page for a first-hand account). Technically called a digital rectal exam (DRE), this check-up involves a doctor manually inspecting the prostate to evaluate its size as well as check for any bumps, hard spots or other abnormali- ties. e prostate gland should be about the size and shape of a walnut, and, as men age, the gland naturally grows larger. A study in e Journal of Family Practice suggests that the accuracy of detect- ing prostate cancer is, overall, about 28 per cent while another published in the Annals of Internal Medicine estimates that an abnormal DRE screening doubles the odds of finding a clinically important cancer. put Your prostate to the test The Concerns Screening for prostate cancer can come with risks – that's because PSA testing is not perfect. An abnormal result may lead to unnecessary biopsies (which carry the risk of infection and bleeding) and over-diagnosis of cancers that may never have caused problems – but their treatment could cause permanent harms such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence. For tips on reducing your risk of prostate cancer, visit BCLiving.ca. The (ahem) BoTTom Line Because the blood test and rectal exam provide different information, combining the DRE with the PSA blood test can increase the overall rate of cancer detection. While not perfect, for men age 50+, it remains the best option to detect prostate cancer early. Be PRoaCTiVe Every man should see his doctor for an assess- ment of his individual risk for prostate cancer, then an appropriate screening schedule can be made according to that risk and his beliefs. Possible symPtoms of Prostate CanCer For more information visit Prostate Cancer Canada at prostatecancer.ca is the five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer in Canada About one in eight Canadian men is expected to develop prostate cancer during his lifetime 96% SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society