During June, the medical community encourages men to look closer at their health. June is National Men’s Health Month, a time dedicated to discussing many illnesses and diseases affecting males and how they can be prevented through regular screenings.
It is well known that men have a poor reputation when focusing on their health. Statistics show that men, on average, visit a family doctor half as often as women, many times ignoring signs and symptoms of serious health problems. Yearly checkups and regular health screenings are encouraged for men of all ages, but more specific screenings are needed as they age.
Prostate cancer is one of the most serious health risks for men as they age, affecting one in seven men. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men after skin cancer. Regular visits to a family doctor and working to reduce existing health problems can significantly lower a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.
In March 2023, Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) Diagnostic Center team began performing the region’s first PET scan designed specifically to detect prostate cancer. The Prostate PET scan can be used as tool to diagnose or help guide treatment for prostate cancer. Knowing if cancer has spread beyond the prostate at diagnosis is a monumental step in helping patients achieve the best possible outcome. In its early stages Prostate Cancer may not exhibit any symptoms, but as it advances may cause men to experience trouble urinating, decreased force in the urine stream, blood in the urine, weight loss without trying or erectile dysfunction.
For more information about this new technology at Pikeville Medical Center, please visit https://www.pikevillehospital.org/services/diagnostic-center/.
