By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
Prostate and ovarian cancers are a scary diagnosis. This month, we are focusing on these types of cancer to ensure both men and women are aware of the symptoms and risks.
Ovarian cancer is known as the “silent killer” as many women don’t know they have it until the advanced stages. Prostate cancer is similar in that there are no early warning signs and without regular screenings, it can go undetected for years.
Let’s discuss ovarian cancer first. What is it? According to Target Ovarian Cancer, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer charity, it arises from the cells in and around the ovaries which are two small organs located low in the tummy just above the pubic area. They form part of a woman’s reproductive system, storing eggs which are released into the womb for fertilisation. The ovaries also are responsible for making the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Sometimes cells around these organs can form tumours, and in some of these cases, the tumours are cancerous. Post-menopausal women in particular need to watch out for symptoms that might indicate a type of ovarian cancer.
Some of the symptoms that should be watched include:
- Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain
- Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating – not bloating that comes and goes
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Needing to urinate more urgently or more often than usual
If you have any of these symptoms and they aren’t normal for you, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Some of the risks include age, family history, weight, use of Hormone Replacement Therapy, ovarian cysts and endometriosis. But the good news is, you can reduce the risks by using the combined contraceptive pill, having children and breastfeeding them and living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise.
Now let’s talk prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer.org, prostate cancer begins in the gland cells of the prostate, which is found only in males.
The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. The only confirmed factors currently known to increase one’s risk for prostate cancer are family history, age, African-American ethnicity, diet and chemical exposure.
Common symptoms include:
- Frequent urination (especially at night)
- Weak urinary stream or an inability to urinate
- Interruption of urinary stream (stopping and starting)
- Pain or burning on urination
- Blood in the urine or ejaculate
- Bone pain in the hips, ribs or general back pain
- Back pain
Because there are no early warning signs for prostate cancer, and sometimes there aren’t any noticeable symptoms, men can undergo a screening for the disease. Screenings do not provide a diagnosis, but they provide valuable information in finding the disease early. Screening commonly involves two tests: the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and the digital rectal exam (DRE).
While there’s no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, there are ways to reduce your risk. In general, doctors recommend that men with an average risk of prostate cancer make choices that benefit their overall health if they’re interested in prostate cancer prevention. Preventative measures include choosing a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising most days of the week and discussing risks with your doctor. These aren’t guaranteed to decrease your risk of prostate cancer, but making these choices will benefit your overall health.
The key with both of these cancers is to know how to minimize risks, understand symptoms and schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible so that diseases don’t go undetected. Early detection can save a life. The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre also is a resource for a range of screening services, support and educational programs at 441-236-1001 or www.cancer.bm.
Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.
