What’s Your Prostate IQ?

A recent study found that 49% of men are not knowledgeable about prostate cancer (PCa). That’s not surprising for guys below age 50, since prostate problems like PCa or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) don’t occur very often among younger men. However, since 1 out of 8 men will get PCa, and at least 50% of men over age 50 have BPH, there’s no excuse for ignoring the part of your body that makes the fluid for male orgasm, makes peeing more frequent or more difficult as you grow old, and can even be a silent killer because early prostate cancer has no symptoms.

A prostate quiz

Knowing about your prostate gland—let’s call it your PROSTATE IQ—is an investment in your wellness. Keeping your prostate in tiptop condition through diet, exercise and stress management has been shown to help prevent or slow PCa and reduce the risk or growth of BPH.

How’s your Prostate IQ? Here are a few questions for you to quiz yourself (answers in footnotes as inserted at the end of each question):

1. What is the size of a normal prostate gland? [i]

1. A pea
2. A pecan
3. A walnut
4. A Brazil nut

2. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for prostate cancer? [ii]

1. Too much masturbation
2. A family history of breast cancer
3. Exposure to Agent Orange
4. Smoking cigarettes

3. Radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer causes which side effect? [iii]

1. Dry orgasm
2. Chronic lower back pain
3. Low testosterone
4. Numbness in the legs

4. What is prostatitis? [iv]

1. An allergic reaction to supplements containing saw palmetto
2. A condition to which cyclists are prone
3. A prostate irritation caused by too frequent sexual activity
4. An inflammation of unknown origin that can cause pelvic pain

How did you do?

Did you pass with flying colors? In a brief online interview, Dr. Daniel Spratt, an oncologist and professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Cleveland OH), expressed his concerns about implications of prostate ignorance. He believes that lack of education and a stigma attached to talking about prostate cancer leads to things like avoiding annual PSA blood tests and thus greater risk of being diagnosed with PCa when it’s already at a later stage. He emphasizes “that the treatments have evolved greatly, that not all patients who undergo PSA testing will even have prostate cancer, and not all patients that have prostate cancer will even need to have treatment.”

The American Cancer Society promotes early detection. In keeping with current guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that doctors and patients share discussion and decision-making about PSA screening, the ACS recommends the following ages to being that discussion:

• Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.
• Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
• Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).

Even though your prostate gland is tucked in your pelvic bed where the sun never shines, don’t be in the dark about taking care of your prostate health and lifestyle choices that can help prevent prostate problems.

NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

QUIZ ANSWERS
[i] Question 1 answer: c) A walnut.
[ii] Question 2 answer: a) Too much masturbation
[iii] Question 3 answer: a) Dry orgasm
[iv] Question 4 answer: d) An inflammation of unknown origin that can cause pelvic pain