Passionate About the Prostate

We are incredibly pleased to present Puja Patel, a pharmacy student Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Puja is in her 3rd year of pharmacy and like us, noticed a discrepancy in men’s healthcare. She immediately acknowledged there are many topics men don’t want to discuss, she is passionate about health and is here to help us discuss the things guys don’t want to. Thank you for helping us break the stigma Puja here is her first blog post:

Let’s first talk about a topic a lot of men try to avoid- the prostate!

It can sometimes be hard for men to discuss about their prostate to their doctor, but it’s very necessary to! Why is discussing about the prostate important? Here are the some reasons why:

-          A prostate is necessary for fertility

-          As a man gets older, their chances of being diagnosed with prostate cancer increases

-          If left untreated, prostate cancer may grow and spread to other organs such as the liver and lungs

Here is some information all men should know about the prostate and how to keep the prostate healthy: 

What is the function of the prostate?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that secretes out an alkaline fluid that contributes to the seminal fluid (the fluid that carries sperm).

What can you do to have a healthy prostate?

-          Consume green leafy and deep, bright colored vegetables and fruits every day

-          Make sure to get vitamin D every day- Taking in some sun every day can reduce the risk of prostate cancer

-          Exercise daily- men who have regular physical activity have a lower risk of prostate cancer as wells as other types of cancers

-          Avoid processed sugary foods such as candy, sodas, high sugar sports drinks, etc.

-          Consume proteins such as fish and eggs and avoid red meat as much as possible 

Should you be worried about prostate cancer?

You should not be worried if you take action on getting checked and going to your doctor if any signs arise such as blood in the urine, frequent bathroom visits at night, and interrupted urine flow. Men who are 55 and older should be checked by their doctor to see if any abnormalities of the prostate occur. It is always important to see your doctor once a year for a check-up and ask if receiving any testing prior to 55 for prostate cancer is necessary for you. As always, ask a doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding your health!

Puja Patel

PharmD Candidate c/o 2022