Can regular "shooting" prevent cancer? Does strength training make cancer cells grow faster? Doctors reveal 3 major myths about the prostate
Is “No More Heroes” Prostate Cancer? How much “shooting” can help prevent cancer?
Prostate cancer is the fifth among the top ten cancers in men. Once diagnosed with prostate cancer, may “masculinity” be lost? Dr. Cai Shuwei, the attending physician of the Department of Urology at Cathay General Hospital, said in an interview that malignant prostate tumors will invade the surrounding “sexual nerves” and may indeed cause sexual dysfunction, but it is not the only cause of men’s “loss of virility.”
Dr. Cai Shuwei pointed out that most prostate cancer patients are middle-aged and elderly people over 50 years old. They may have metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The vascular lesions associated with these diseases may lead to poor blood congestion and neuropathy. This can lead to sexual dysfunction. In addition, as we age, the decrease in male hormones may also be one of the main reasons for the decline in sexual function.
In the past, a Harvard University study claimed that men who ejaculated 21 times a month were about 30% less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who only ejaculated 4-7 times. Is fixing the frequency of ejaculation helpful in preventing cancer? Dr. Cai Shuwei believes that there is currently insufficient evidence to confirm the causal link between ejaculation and prostate cancer. He advises men to have moderate sex. Excessive sex may still damage mental and even urinary tract health.
Will strength training encourage cancer cells? Does hormone treatment cause early menopause?
Protective cancer cells rely on “androgen” as a growth signal. Does it mean that strength training and intense exercise may increase the concentration of male hormones, leading to accelerated cancer growth? Dr. Cai Shuwei said that men can safely train moderately, but if they take additional androgen supplements, they should be aware that long-term male hormone supplementation will increase the chance of prostate cancer. Usually androgen supplementation is limited to 3 months, and “intermittent” is adopted. “Sexual supplementation”, combined with regular PSA testing.
Dr. Cai Shuwei said that prostate cancer is often treated clinically by suppressing androgens. However, frequent hormonal therapy may cause patients to enter male menopause early. Mild symptoms include easy fatigue, lack of energy around things, and night sweats. In severe cases, it may cause gynecomastia.
Dr. Cai Shuwei pointed out that thanks to medical progress, there are also new types of hormone therapy drugs that can block the supply of androgens and prevent androgen from binding to tumors to achieve a two-pronged control effect and extend the effective time of hormone therapy. They can be considered in conjunction with the above-mentioned traditional hormone therapy. used together. High-risk patients who are eligible for health insurance benefits are advised to discuss appropriate treatment with their attending physician.
The higher the PSA index, the greater the risk of cancer? 5 conditions will affect the value
The special antigen test (PSA) is commonly used clinically to detect prostate health. Does the higher the value, the greater the chance of cancer? According to Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, Health Promotion Administration, PSA values are easily affected by various factors such as age and race. Some ethnic groups may have naturally higher PSA levels. In addition, sexual intercourse, prostate hypertrophy, prostate infection, prostate inflammation or regular check-ups within 48 hours before the test will affect the PSA value.
Since PSA is susceptible to various factors, a high value does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer, and not all prostate cancer patients will have a high PSA. Therefore, checking PSA still requires the judgment of a professional physician, as well as imaging examinations, Tools such as biopsy tests can determine whether it is prostate cancer.
Taiwan Health Promotion Administration reminds that there are various health check-up items in the market. The public should carefully consider whether the check-up can really achieve the health benefits of “prevention is better than cure”, and also consider whether it will cause unnecessary invasive harm. To prevent prostate cancer, men should still lead a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising regularly, and eating more fruits and vegetables. This is the fundamental way to reduce prostate cancer and various cancers.
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