September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. It’s the month for wearing sky blue ribbons and bracelets, participating in fundraising walkathons or other activities, and receiving a reminder from the prostate-conscious woman in your life to go get a PSA blood test (if she hasn’t already done so).
About 10 years ago, the American Foundation for Urologic Disease launched a broader awareness program called Prostate Health Month. While it never quite gained the traction that focusing on prostate cancer contributed to raising awareness, the idea of broadening out to include such conditions as BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), prostatitis, and other related problems leads ultimately to a men’s health “superhighway.”
At the Sperling Prostate Center, we too embrace the philosophy that prostate health is best served by total personal health. We know the science that supports all of the following measures to enhance pelvic health in addition to prostate health:
- Diet, nutrition and supplements
- Exercise and fitness
- Additional lifestyle changes for a vibrant life (stress management, social support, etc.)
We also recognize the power of the mind-body connection. We approach each patient who comes to see us in a spirit of positivity, which we see as having “contagious” benefits. Our bodies want to be at optimal health, and a positive outlook affects heart health—with a ripple effect on other systems.
I want to mention two other important elements that help psychological and mental health: close relationships with loved ones and friends, and service. Both emotional intimacy and helping others may not appear to have tangible health benefits, but there is a constructive association between nurturing your emotional, giving self and increasing your desire to achieve optimum wellness on all levels, including physical health.
So, if you have not yet committed yourself to a program of whole-person prevention and well-being, September’s Prostate Health Month as a good starting point. But if you’re reading this at another time of year, don’t wait for September to roll around. When it comes to the health of your prostate, every month can make an important difference in your life.
NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you have health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.
About Dr. Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
