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After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting American men. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. This year alone, 164,690 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed.

Mention “rectal exam” and many people cringe and even avoid making that doctor appointment. But what exactly does a digital rectal exam entail, and who needs one? Doctors may perform a rectal exam to look for tumors or cancers inside the rectum, assess the functioning of your anal sphincter, evaluate for hemorrhoids or determine other causes of pain or bleeding. Both women and men may find themselves in need of this exam. However, due to the increasing risk of prostate cancer that comes with age, men are the more likely candidates for a rectal exam. 

As a urologist who specializes in sexual health and male infertility, I’ve had concerned patients ask if COVID-19 will affect their current and future fertility potential. Many couples are already dealing with fertility issues beyond their control and see the virus as an additional stressor. 

Sleep apnea is a condition of aging. It occurs when the airway becomes obstructed while we sleep, interrupting our breathing. The older we get, the higher the risk of developing this condition and its associated complications — such as stroke. By knowing the signs of sleep apnea and being screened for it, you can avoid or reduce the likelihood of having a stroke or other serious complications. 

You may be in the shower, getting dressed or getting intimate with your partner when you first discover a cluster of bumps . . . down there. Genital warts, the result of contracting one of over 70 strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that almost a half million people a year contend with and worry about to the point of sometimes avoiding medical care out of misplaced embarrassment.

Both men and women produce testosterone, but for males the hormone plays a star role in puberty when it enables the development of hair growth, libido, muscle mass, bone strength and, most importantly, sperm production. A natural decline in male testosterone occurs after age 30 and begins to drop 1 to 2 percent a year around age 40. 

Al Roker’s recent announcement of his prostate cancer diagnosis is a perfect example of why men in his demographic need to visit their doctor for regular exams. If cancer is found and discovered early enough, it can be managed and potentially cured. The red flag that arises during the routine screening and lab test concerns the PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, but there are also other tests that can be run with new technology to arrive at a diagnosis. For the many men who remain hesitant or anxious about a rectal exam and prostate check — especially African-American men who don’t obtain regular screenings and therefore die of this cancer in greater numbers — Roker’s diagnosis is a wake-up call with this message: Come in and get checked.  

People from up north – or Floridians who have recently moved here from colder climates – may roll their eyes, but the winter months can get pretty chilly in the Sunshine State. Cold enough, in fact, that many people who stay active when the weather’s nice, cut way back on their exercise routines at this time of year.

Training for a triathlon can be intimidating for anyone new to the event. Combining swimming, cycling and running, triathlons require a special level of dedication that other races don’t. That said, whether you’re a fitness fanatic or just getting started with working out, these events are a great way to renew your competitive spirit and motivation for exercising. Plus, triathlons are a lot of fun! 

Bloating. It's that uncomfortable, overly full, sometimes even painful feeling in your stomach that makes you want to take a nap until the sensation passes. Bloating even can make your stomach look swollen or feel hard to the touch. Although women often feel bloated for a few days or weeks before their period, anyone can have occasional bloating.