Cancer Awareness...How aware are YOU???

     Good morning, Everyone!!!  I sure hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.  I know I sure did.  Although it rained like crazy initally, the day cleared up and we had a great Family gathering on Sunday.  My Sister Tracey's take on the rain, was that it was 'tears from Heaven' being shed by my dear Aunt Dolores and her brother--my Dad--as this was the first time that they were not here on Earth to celebrate the Holiday with us.  Their presence was missed by many...

     Well, I am just stopping by to inform you (if you didn't already know), that September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness month and National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer  among women.  Ovarian cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to detect.  Why?  The ovaries are located deep in a woman's pelvis.  If there is abnormal growth or by the time symptoms start to appear, ovarian cancer is already in an advanced stage.  Some of the symptoms are common, like bloating, abdomnial pain or pressure, feeling the need to urinate more often, constipation, indigestion, lack of appetite,  vaginal bleeding that occurs in between periods.  Most women would ignore the majority of those symptoms.  Bloating.   Who doesn't have that? Abdomnial pain/pressure.  Sounds like a cramp to me.   The need to urinate more than usual.  That happens quite a bit--especially if you are a water drinker, like me.   So why would you be alerted by these symptoms?  That is why it is so important, once again, to KNOW YOUR BODY.  If something doesn't feel right, get it checked out.  A pelvic exam may reveal an ovarian or abdominal mass.  At that point your physician may order additional tests.  So, Ladies, please keep up with your annual exams.
     According to the American Institute for Cancer research, some of the risk factors for ovarian cancer are:

•           older age (55 and up)
•           family history of ovarian cancer
•           taking hormone replacement therapy after menopause
•           obesity--let's drop that excess weight...

Just know that cancer waits on no one.  Stay on top of your health, Ladies.

     Prostate cancer is another cancer where there are no signs or symptoms for early diagnosis.  Once a malignant tumor causes the prostate gland to swell or cancer starts to spread beyond the prostate, then symptoms may start to show.  According to WebMD the symptoms could be an urgency to urinate, difficulty starting or stopping urine flow, leaking of urine when laughing or coughing, painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen.  Other symptoms that  are not indicative of cancer, but may be caused by the blockage from the cancer growth--which could mean advanced prostate cancer--include a dull, deep pain or stiffness in the pelvis, lower back, ribs, upper thighs, loss of weight and appetite, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, swelling of the lower extremities, and weakness or paralysis in the lower limbs.
     As with any cancer, there are factors that can increase your risk of prostate cancer and they are:

•           Older age
•           Ethnicity--black men have a greater risk than other races and no one seems to know why
•           Family history of prostate cancer
•           Obesity

     Yes, the DRE (digital rectal exam) and an PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test are screening tests that your physician can use to identify if you have prostate cancer in its early stages.  Fellas, I cannot comment  on your daily aches and pains, but I can say, KNOW YOUR BODY.  If something does not feel right, PLEASE get it checked out.   Cancer waits on no one.  When it's ready to rear it's ugly head, it will do so.  Although you may be or you think you may be the most elite specimen of a Man walking on this earth, you may have some health issues you need to get checked out, so keep up with or catch up with your yearly physical exams. 
For some more detailed information check out www.cdc.gov .  Let's stay healthy, Fam!!!  SMOOCHES...

(special thanks to WebMD, Mayoclinic.com, National Institute of Health, American Institute for Cancer Research)