One in every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most common malignancy in men. There have been calls for men to be screened for the disease beginning in middle age, predominantly using the PSA blood test that you had.
PSA is a protein produced by the prostate, a gland the size of a walnut located below the bladder, and the amount shed into the blood can provide physicians with information about its health. This test is far from perfect, as PSA levels can be elevated by a variety of factors besides cancer, including exercise, sexual activity, an enlarged prostate, constipation, and infection.
As you learned, a false negative result might also signal cancer when there is none. Physical examination is vital for this reason.
In your case, the cancer was detected as a result of your doctor’s rightful desire to investigate urinary tract symptoms.
However, a DRE (digital rectal examination) can only detect prostate tumors in the front and back, and 25% of prostate tumors occur elsewhere in the organ.
In terms of screening, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most reliable method because it enables gland visualization. However, its limited availability on the NHS is a problem.
Separately, researchers are investigating methods to detect cancer-related DNA fragments in the circulation. Consult your physician if you have symptoms or are 50 or older and wish to have your PSA levels measured.
Men with a first-degree relative (e.g., a father or brother) who was diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65 and black men (who, for poorly understood reasons, are at higher risk) should be screened only if they are at higher risk.
I hope your prostate cancer is localised like 78% of patients at diagnosis.
If this is the case, surgical removal of the organ is the most likely treatment option. I hope for your swift and complete recovery.
There is a lot of uncertainty about osteopenia versus osteoporosis and whether calcium supplements are recommended.
Osteopenia refers to the inevitable loss of bone minerals — primarily calcium — as we age. The body’s reabsorption of calcium from bones, where it strengthens, causes it.
It is not a medical diagnosis, but rather an indicator that your bone density is decreasing. Osteoporosis lowers bone mineral density and increases fracture risk.
In addition to being female (as a result of the decline in estrogen during menopause), risk factors include age, body mass index, familial history, and medications such as glucocorticoids. A calcium and vitamin D-deficient diet is another factor.
A daily calcium supplement can be beneficial, especially when taken with a vitamin D supplement, which enhances calcium assimilation. The recommended dosages are 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D.
These supplements appear to cut bone resorption by 25%, avoiding osteopenia from becoming osteoporosis.
However, Long-term calcium supplement use may increase heart disease risk in some people. Therefore, it is a decision that should be made after consulting with your physician.
In the interim, you should prioritize consuming a diet abundant in calcium-containing foods, such as milk, cheese, and green leafy vegetables, as these foods do not have this negative effect.
