Sparks holds prostate cancer 'Talk with the Doc' Sept. 19 at Shuffield Center

Sept. 09--A free "Talk with the Doc" seminar hosted by Dr. John David Terrell of Sparks Urology Group will be Sept. 19 in the Shuffield Education Center at Sparks Regional Medical Center as part of the health-care group's observation of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

The event will begin at noon. Lunch will be provided for those who register by calling (479) 709-DOCS, or register online at SparksHealth.com.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Men over 45 are encouraged to make themselves familiar with the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, one in seven men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime, a Sparks news release states.

"There are certain groups of people at higher risk -- both for being diagnosed with, and dying from, prostate cancer," Sparks advises. "They include race and ethnicity. Prostate cancer is more common in African-American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry, than in men of other races. These men are also more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as white men. Reasons for these racial and ethnic differences are not clear."

Family history is also a factor. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man's risk of developing this disease. The risk is much higher for men with several affected relatives, particularly if their relatives were young when the cancer was found, the Sparks release adds.

"Early detection offers a better opportunity for successful treatment and it may be necessary to work with your doctor to define a screening plan for prostate health, especially if you fall into one of the high-risk categories, or are experiencing any urinary or sexual dysfunction symptoms," the release noted.

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