The Co. Donegal Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Association is set to support any new initiatives that promote a healthier lifestyle for farmers.
A recent survey found that four out of five farmers screened as part of an Irish Heart Foundation programme were at risk of heart disease.
Commenting on the survey, Donegal IFA Chairman, Michael Chance said that very high levels of blood pressure problems and obesity were also found.
Speaking at the monthly executive meeting, he described the findings of the survey as “frightening for farmers” and said that the general health of farmers was worse than the general population.
He also revealed that old 35% – 40% of those with a high risk actually followed up the tests by going ot a doctor.
He said farmers must not put things off “to next week, and the next week, and the next week”.
Donegal Farm Family Committee representative Lisa McMonagle stressed the importance of exercise for both physical and mental health.
(Source – Donegal Now – 17/06/2015)
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing
Prostate cancer is a serious condition. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test used by your doctor as a screening tool in order to see if you may have prostate cancer and in order to monitor treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Having an increased PSA result does not mean, however, that you have prostate cancer, as the PSA blood level is also increased in other medical conditions.
WHAT IS THE PROSTATE GLAND?
The prostate gland, which is only found in men, lies just beneath the bladder and is normally about the size of a chestnut. The tube which passes urine from the bladder (the urethra) runs through the middle of the prostate gland and the main function of the prostate gland is to produce fluid which protects and enriches sperm.
The prostate gland gradually gets bigger (gradually after the age of about 50 years and by the age of 70 years, about eight in 10 men have an enlarged prostate gland. As a result, it is common for older men to have urinary symptoms caused by a non-cancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate gland. Some men also develop prostate cancer.
WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?
Prostate cancer is a cancer which develops from the cells within the prostate gland. In Ireland, prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men, second only to skin cancer. Each year over 3,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, which means that one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Although there are many men with this disease, most men do not die from it. Most cases develop in men over the age of 65 years. Prostate cancer is different to most other cancers because small areas of cancer within the prostate gland are actually very common, especially in older men. These may not grow or cause any problems for many years (if at all).
WHAT IS A PSA TEST?
The PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in your blood. PSA is made by the prostate gland and the PSA level in your blood stream is measured in nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml).
When you have a PSA test, it is important that you do not have:
- An active urine infection;
- Ejaculated (produced semen during intercourse) in the previous 48 hours;
- Exercised heavily in the previous 48 hours;
- Had a prostate biopsy in the previous six weeks; or
- Had a digital rectal examination (examination of the back passage with a gloved finger) in the previous week.
Each of these may produce an unusually high PSA result.
The normal range changes as you get older. The PSA cut-off values for different age groups are as follows: age 40-49, PSA Cut-Off 2.7; age 50-59, PSA Cut-Off 3.9; age 60-69, PSA Cut-Off 5.0; age 70-75, PSA Cut-Off 7.2 The higher the level of PSA, the more likely it is to be a sign of cancer. The PSA test can also be misleading and give false reassurance. About 15 out of 100 men with prostate cancer will have had a normal PSA result. As a result, a once-off test is not reliable and repeating the test may provide important information.
WHAT CAUSES A RAISED PSA LEVEL?
A raised PSA level may mean you have prostate cancer, however, about two out of three men with a raised PSA level will not have prostate cancer.
Other conditions may also cause a raised PSA level, including:
l. Acute retention of urine (unable to pass urine, causing an enlarged bladder).
2. Enlargement of the prostate gland which is non-cancerous (benign).
3. Older age.
4. Urine infection.
5. Acute prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland).
6. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) operation. TURP is an operation used to remove the prostate if you have benign enlargement of the prostate.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A PSA TEST?
If your PSA level is not raised: You are unlikely to have cancer. No immediate further action is needed, but you may need further tests to confirm the result. If your PSA level is slightly raised: You probably do not have cancer. You will, however, require further tests, including more PSA tests.
If your PSA level is definitely raised: Your GP will perform a digital rectal examination of the prostate. He or she will also refer you to see a hospital doctor, known as a Urologist, for further investigations in order to find out whether or not you have prostate cancer. The Urologist will usually arrange for you to have a biopsy of your prostate gland in order to confirm the diagnosis and in order to decide on treatment options for the future.
(Source – Sligo Champion – Dr Michelle Cooper – 20/06/2015)