It’s a Guy Thing – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

We all know that cancer is a killer. It changes the lives of those who have it, those who treat it, and those who know someone who has succumbed to this devastating disease. It is known as the ‘silent disaster’, killing more than 300,000 people worldwide each year. Cancer affects all parts of the human body, and is considered one of the top four epidemic non-communicable diseases.
Prostate cancer accounts for more than 3200 deaths in the Philippines each year, and is ranked as one of the top five most frequent cancers. June is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to raise the public’s consciousness surrounding this type of cancer.

Prostate cancer only affects males, because, quite simply, only males have a prostate. The prostate is a small gland around the size of a walnut, located between the bladder and the penis. The prostate releases a fluid that protects and nourishes sperm on its journey to outside the male body.

There are a number of things that can go wrong with the prostate, from Prostatitis (inflammation), an enlarged prostate, which can make urination difficult, and prostate cancer, where the cells within the prostate gland grow and multiply abnormally, invading other tissues, and damaging the DNA.

The best way to care for your prostate is to be body aware. There are a number of signs to look out for, which can include:

• Problems urinating (a slow pace, or the need to urinate frequently)
• Hip, back or rib pain
• Blood in the urine
• Impotence

Naturally, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

Did you know that up to 10% of prostate cancer may be attributed to an inherited gene tendency? This is known as HPC1 (Hereditary Prostate Cancer Gene 1). For men wanting to see if they have an inherited tendency to developing prostate cancer, Easy DNA Philippines offers the Genetic Predisposition Health Test. This test analyses your unique DNA, and provides vital information about your susceptibility to developing prostate cancer. Additionally, the test provides results that will reveal your genetic predisposition to developing 33 other diseases and conditions, enabling you to take control of your health future, and make any changes that will improve your health and potentially extend your life.
Your results will comprise of a personalised report, which ranks prostate cancer (and all other diseases and conditions on the list) according to your lifetime risk of developing that disease. You will either be ‘high’, ‘medium’ or ‘low’ risk, so it is easy to remain cognisant of your assessed risk.

The test is a simple, painless home DNA kit, which you can do form the comfort of your own lounge room. After ordering, you will receive everything you need to take the test yourself, including oral swabs, sterile envelopes and full instructions, as well as return details. You will receive your personalised report in a timely manner, providing peace of mind.

So man up, and take control of your prostate health with a balanced combination of self-checks, heightened awareness, a fit and active life, and a DNA test from EasyDNA Philippines. Bust the myth that men don’t seek medical advice when something goes wrong. It may be a guy thing, but you can make it a regular thing.