With October coming to an end, it is time to welcome in a new holiday season. We trade our spooky decorations for promises of family, friendship, and joy as we prepare for Thanksgiving. Besides turkey and stuffing, however, the next month also brings the tradition of “No Shave November”. Some may see it as an excuse to be lazy or as a way to rebel against social norms. Whatever the reason, it is definitely for a worthy cause. “No Shave November” and its brother movement “Movember” are meant to spread awareness about prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the US according to cancer.net.
Curious to see who would be participating, I polled my hallmates. Although not very many decided to do it (about six total), it is still a significant number. When you see someone who usually doesn’t have facial hair rocking a beard, you tend to take notice. Hopefully those joining in on the “celebration” will remind others about the importance of prostate cancer and how negatively it affects men in America. I recognize that this is a male centered health issue, but with Thanksgiving fast approaching, remember those men you love in your life and encourage them to get a check up. Preventative measures can save a life. For more information, here’s a list of fast facts from Genesis Health:
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About 238,590 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2013. About 29,720 men will die of prostate cancer.
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About one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
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Your chances of getting prostate cancer are one in three if you have a close relative with the disease. The risk jumps to 83 percent if two close relatives – father or brothers – have been diagnosed with the disease.
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African-Americans have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world.
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Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of male cancer-related death in the U.S.
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Prostate cancer occurs primarily in older men. Nearly two-thirds of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are 65 or older.
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There are no consistent or noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer while it is still in the early stages.
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Before early detection through PSA screening, only 1 in 4 prostate cancer cases were found while still in the early stages.
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There is new debate about the effectiveness of the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening. Consult with your primary care physician about whether you should be screened.
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Nearly 100 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer while the cancer is in early stages are still alive five years after diagnosis.
Sources: American Cancer Society and National Prostate Cancer Coalition.
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