National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, is observed every September in North America by health experts, health advocates, and individuals concerned with men's prostate health and prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society states that in 2020 there will be an estimated 191,930 new cases of prostate cancer. Early detection is key for detecting prostate cancer and making treatment easier. The American Cancer Society recommends that screenings should begin at age 40 for men with high risk. High risk includes African American males and men with more than one first-degree relative (brother or father) who had prostate cancer at an early age. Men can reduce their risk for prostate cancer by choosing a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising weekly. For more information about prostate cancer, please visit: American Cancer Society/Prostate Cancer
Brachytherapy is one type of radiation therapy that's used to treat prostate cancer. Brachytherapy is sometimes called internal radiation. This allows doctors to deliver higher doses of radiation to the prostate, compared with the conventional form of radiation therapy (external beam radiation) that projects radiation from a machine outside of your body. Brachytherapy may cause fewer side effects than does external beam radiation, and the overall treatment time is usually shorter with brachytherapy. To learn more about Brachytherapy, visit Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Website:
Z&Z Medical is proud to offer Brachytherapy Shields for men who have radioactive seed implants and are concerned with radiation to loved ones or pets. Recommendations for the first two months after seed implantation might include limiting close contact with children and pregnant women and not allowing children or parents to sit on the patients lap for extended periods. These shields minimize the risk associated with these implants to others. To learn more or to purchase a brachytherapy shield, CLICK HERE.