Chronic Disease Risk Assessment
Jerrod H. Hasenbank
Sci 162
March 23, 2014
Debra Santi
Chronic Disease Risk Assessment
The Chronic Disease Risk Assessment I took was for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a disease that affects only men usually above 50 years of age. About one in five men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. The prostate is a gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The gland is roughly the size of a walnut. It is positioned just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The primary purpose of the prostate gland is to produce fluid that is part of semen. The National Cancer Institute defines prostate cancer as “Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate gland.” (National Cancer Institute, 2013).
Some of the known un-modifiable risk factors for developing prostate cancer are age, family history, and race. Other modifiable risk factors include being overweight, smoking, not eating a healthy diet and not getting enough physical exercise.
As a man ages, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases. Prostate cancer diagnosis is unusual in men under the age of 50.
Male family medical history plays a role in raising the chances of a man being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
African American men have been shown to have an increased risk of prostate cancer than in white men.
Men can reduce their chances of developing prostate cancer greatly by incorporating some of the following lifestyle changes.
Quitting smoking is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors a person can do in order to prevent prostate cancer, cancer of all kinds or any number of chronic diseases.
Eating a healthier diet and cutting back on daily caloric intake, cholesterol, saturated fat, refined sugars and red meats. Increase consumption of healthier white meats and fish over red meat. Eat more natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains preferably organically grown, as often as possible. Eat lycopene rich vegetables from tomatoes especially. Lycopene is the chemical that gives tomatoes their red color. Lycopene has been proven to prevent cancer cells from developing. Studies have also shown that even a single serving a week of tomato based food lessens a person’s chances of developing cancer, although it is shown that the risks go down greatly the more servings of tomato based foods a person gets.
Get out and get moving start a daily exercise regimen and stick with it! It is suggested that we get at least 3 hours of exercise a week, but studies have shown the risks go down with the more exercise we get. Some studies suggest at least 6 hours of vigorous exercise to decrease the chances of prostate cancer.
By implementing the last two changes in lifestyle managing weight should come naturally. Overweight and obese people have a greater risk of developing not only cancer but many other chronic diseases.
Get regular physical exams and if you are a male over 40, the Prostate Cancer Foundation suggests you and your doctor should consider a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test and a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam). It is widely debated when and who should get a PSA test, and it is advised to discuss this with your doctor to see if your risk factors make it appropriate for you. The PSA test is usually done through a blood test and can now be done through a urine sample. Early detection and treatment of prostate cancer greatly increases a patient’s chance for a full recovery.
|Week 5: Assignment—Chronic Disease Risk Assessment |
|03/23/2014 |
|Resources: Axia College Material: Chronic Diseases |
| |Points Possible/Earned |Comments |
|Content and Development |
|Chronic Disease Risk Assessment (using 500 –750 words) includes: |25/25 |Jerrod, nice work on |
|Description of the disease |25/25 |the assignment. Your |
|Risk factors for the disease |25/25 |description and risk |
|Lifestyle choices you can make in your life to decrease your modifiable risk | |factors for prostate |
|factors for this disease | |cancer were presented |
| | |in an organized manor.|
| | | |
|Mechanics |
| | | |
|Adheres to format; rules of grammar usage, spelling, and punctuation are |25/25 | Sentence structure, |
|followed. | |spelling and flow of |
|Sentences are well constructed, complete, and concise; flow of ideas occurs | |ideas are appropriate.|
|with good transitions; and citations and references are included, as | | |
|appropriate. | | |
|Late Penalty (10% per day - cannot exceed two days) | | |
|Submitted signed copy of the Certificate of Originality as a separate | |N/A |
|document. | | |
|Total |100/100 | |
|Comments: Jerrod, you did a terrific job on the assignment. Very thorough you did a great job including your sources. |