David Samadi, MD, Vice-Chair of Urology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, knows that many men put off caring for their health, even when they have a family. But just a loving nudge from his family can help keep Dad on track for long-term prostate health, prostate cancer prevention, and prostate cancer awareness.
A new grill, tickets to the game, golf clubs, a PSA blood test…all perfect Father's Day gifts, says Dr. Samadi, one of the world's leading experts in robotic prostatectomy. "Sometimes all it takes is little reminder from the wife and kids to get men to the doctor each year and to commit to their annual PSA test," he says.
Father's Day love is the perfect disguise for a little bit of healthy nagging with these Top Five Prostate Wellness Tips:
•Grandpa's Genes Matter - If Dad's father or brother had prostate cancer, he's two times more likely to be diagnosed; three times more likely if he has three relatives with the disease. African American men are 60 percent more likely to get prostate cancer. Make sure Dad knows his risk factors, which should not be ignored and provide strong reinforcement for the next tip;
•Power of the PSA - A quick and easy Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is the only early indicator of prostate cancer. Annual PSA testing has reduced prostate cancer mortality rates by 40 percent.
•Risk increases with age, so a baseline test is recommended at age 50 (40 for those high risk) to begin monitoring PSA trends. "One spike in Dad's PSA level doesn't mean he has prostate cancer," explains Dr. Samadi. "A qualified prostate cancer expert watches the data each year looking for problematic elevations. If needed, further testing is done to determine if prostate cancer is present." Tell Dad to get tested;
•Please Pass the Pasta - There are many ways to slip cancer-fighting nutrients into Dad's everyday meals. Tomatoes (yes, even pasta sauce and pizza), fish, broccoli, watermelon, cabbage, and green tea are among the foods believed to help ward off prostate cancer. A balanced diet goes a long way in arming the body with the nutrients it needs for disease prevention, so don't just give Dad the right foods but make sure he also is aware of what to eat: