June is Men s Health Month

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1 June 2011 Health & Wellness Information June is Men s Health Month Prostate Cancer: A man in his lifetime has a 1 in 6 chance of being diagnosed and a 1 in 33 chance of dying from prostate cancer. The older you are, the greater the risk for getting and being diagnosed with prostate cancer. A Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test can detect a prostate problem. Many men have no symptoms, that s why it s important to get a PSA test every year beginning at age 50, or earlier if there s a family history of prostate cancer. Did you know? The top three causes of death for men in the United States are heart disease, cancer, and unintended injuries. Testicular Cancer: The most common cancer in the age group. The best time to do a testicular self-exam is during or after a bath or shower. Hold your penis out of the way and check one testicle at a time. Hold the testicle between your thumbs and fingers of both hands and roll it gently between your fingers. Look and feel for any hard lumps or smooth bumps or any change in the size, shape, or consistency of the testes. If you have any doubts, see a doctor. If You will learn what is normal for you and be able to tell when something is different. Always report any changes to a doctor right away. Depression: Affects the body, mind, mood, and thought. It affects the way one eats and sleeps, how one thinks about things, and one s perception. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Treatment typically involves medication and/or short term 1 psychotherapy Source: CDC.gov, Cancer.org, Cancer.gov, nimh.nih.gov, 2011

2 This newsletter is a monthly publication of Healthstat, Inc., for its clients and their employees. It is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to replace medical advice Charlotte Park Drive Suite 390 Charlotte, NC (704) Prepared & Reviewed by: Jesse Martin, Wellness Coordinator & Doug Knoop, MD Executive Medical Director Comments/Questions send to: Jesse.martin@healthstatinc.com Additional Information about Men s Health, visit these informative websites: Centers for Disease Control (CDC): American Cancer Society: National Cancer Institute: National Institute of Mental Health: United States Department of Agriculture: Source: CDC.gov, usda.gov,

3 June 2011 Men s Health Month Prostate and Testicular Cancer: A Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test can detect a prostate problem. Men should get a PSA test every year beginning at age 50, or earlier if there s a family history of prostate cancer. The best time to do a testicular self-exam is during or after a shower. By doing testicular self-exams, you will learn what is normal for you and be able to tell when something is different. If you have any doubts, see a doctor. Nutrition and Physical Activity: Fruits and Vegetables can help with weight control and chronic diseases. A healthy diet also includes whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts, and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. The amount of physical activity that should be performed each week includes: 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate intensity OR 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous intensity Strength training activities should be done at last 2 days each week. Depression: Affects the mind, mood, and thought. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Treatment typically involves medication and/or short-term psychotherapy. Source: CDC.gov, Cancer.org, Cancer.gov, nimh.nih.gov, usda.gov, 2011

4 Health & Wellness Information June 2011 June is Men s Health Month The top three causes of death for men in the United States are heart disease, cancer, and unintended injuries.

5 Why is Men s Health Important? Prostate Cancer. A man in his lifetime has a 1 in 6 chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and a 1 in 33 chance of dying from prostate cancer. Testicular Cancer. The most common cancer in the age group. However, over 90% of cases are curable. Fruits and Vegetables. Compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases. Physical Activity. Physical Activity is generally safe for everyone. The health benefits you gain from being active are far greater than the chances of getting hurt. Depression. In any given one year period in the United States, depressive illnesses affect more than 6 million men.

6 Prostate Cancer Symptoms- Many men often have no symptoms, but if they appear they can include blood in the urine, the need to urinate frequently, weak or interrupted urine flow, pain or burning feeling while urinating, the inability to urinate, or constant pain in the lower back, pelvis, or upper thigh. Who is affected?- The older you are, the greater the risk for getting and being diagnosed with prostate cancer, your risk is higher if your father, brother, or son had prostate cancer, and it is more common among African American men than white or Hispanic/Latino men. Prostate Specific Antigen- PSA is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. The higher the level in the blood, the more likely a prostate problem is present. How often should I get screened?- The recommendations are for every year beginning at age 50, or earlier if there s a family history of prostate cancer.

7 Testicular Cancer Symptoms- a painless lump or swelling in a testicle, pain or discomfort in a testicle or scrotum, any enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back, or groin, or a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum. Testicular Self-Exams (TSA)- The best time to do the self-exam is during or after a bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed. 1. Hold your penis out of the way and check one testicle at a time. 2. Hold the testicle between your thumbs and fingers of both hands and roll it gently between your fingers. 3. Look and feel for any hard lumps or smooth rounded bumps or any change in the size, shape, or consistency of the testes. Each normal testis has an epididymis, which feels like a small bump on the upper or middle outer side of the testis. Normal testicles also contain blood vessels, supporting tissues, and tubes that conduct sperm. If you have any doubts, see a doctor. If you choose to check your testicles, you will learn what is normal for you and be able to tell when something is different. Always report any changes to a doctor right away.

8 Fruits and Vegetables Weight Control. As part of a healthy diet, eating fruits and vegetables instead of high-fat foods may make it easier to control your weight. You may also feel full on fewer calories. That s because most are also lower in calories and higher in fiber than other foods. Chronic Disease. Fruits and Vegetables are great sources of many vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Some of these nutrients may also be found in other healthy foods. Think Color. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Examples include green spinach, orange sweet potatoes, black beans, purple plums, and red watermelon. For more variety, try new fruits and vegetables regularly. Eat more. Easy ways to eat more fruits and vegetables: add fruit to your cereal, low-fat or fat-free yogurt, or oatmeal; snack on fruit during the day; make fruits and vegetables about half your plate; eat a colorful salad at lunch; munch on raw vegetables with a healthy low-fat or fat-free dip; have fruit for dessert. A Healthy Diet. In addition to fruits and vegetables, a healthy diet also includes whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts, and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.

9 Physical Activity The benefits. Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can help: control your weight; reduce high blood pressure; reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and some cancers; strengthen your bones and muscles; improve your mental health and mood; and improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls. Moderate Intensity aerobic physical activity should be completed for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes each week: walking briskly, water aerobics, bicycling slower than 10 mph, doubles tennis, ballroom dancing, and general gardening OR Vigorous Intensity aerobic physical activity should be performed for at least 1 hour and 15 minutes each week: race walking, jogging, running, swimming laps, singles tennis, aerobic dancing, jumping rope, and hiking uphill or with a heavy backpack. Strength Training activities should be done at least 2 days each week. Overcoming barriers. Identify at least three 30-minute time slots you could use for physical activity; develop new friendships with physically active people by joining a walking or hiking group; plan ahead by making physical activity a regular part of your daily or weekly schedule and write it on your calendar; join an exercise group or class; select activities that require minimal facilities or equipment, such as walking, jogging, or jumping rope.

10 Depression What is it? Depression is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mood, and thought. It affects the way one eats and sleeps, how one thinks about things, and one s perception. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition one can wish away. What are the symptoms? Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. The severity of symptoms varies among individuals and time. Common symptoms include: persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood; feeling of hopelessness or pessimism; feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness; loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyable; decreased energy; difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions; trouble sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping; thoughts of suicide; and persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain that does not respond to routine treatment. How should it be treated? Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. However, appropriate treatment, often involving medication and/or short term psychotherapy, can help most people who suffer from depression. How to help yourself. Engage in mild exercise; go to a movie, a ballgame, or participate in religious, social, or other activities that make you feel better; set realistic goals; break large tasks into small ones.

11 Additional Information about Men s Health, visit these informative websites: Centers for Disease Control (CDC): American Cancer Society: National Cancer Institute: National Institute of Mental Health: United States Department of Agriculture: