Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 76

Life60s
- December 2010
A BRAND NEW SECTION FOR THE Island
OVER
Two out of three men with a raised PSA

- vascular disease (conditions that affect

level will not have prostate cancer. And

the heart, arteries and veins, such as

a normal PSA level is sometimes found

coronary heart disease or stroke),

in men with prostate cancer.

heart failure
- a close relative with kidney disease.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes

Glaucoma

bones to become brittle and fragile.

Glaucoma occurs when the fluid that

recommend that you have an

It's most common in women over 50,

travels within the healthy eye becomes

electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG

and symptoms include a tendency

blocked and builds up pressure. This

records the rhythm and electrical

to fracture easily. If you show signs

can lead to vision becoming damaged,

activity of your heart.

of early osteoporosis, a DEXA bone

and may eventually cause loss of sight.

scan can help determine whether you

Most cases of glaucoma are detected at

Prostate cancer

have the condition or are at risk of

a routine eye check-up.

Your GP can conduct a blood test,

developing it.
The NHS offers free sight tests

called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
test, that looks for signs of prostate

Kidney disease

to anyone over 60, those already

cancer. Many early prostate cancers

The government recommends that

diagnosed with the condition, and

cause no symptoms, but if they do

everyone at high risk has a blood test

those who are over 40 and are the

occur they can include increased

for kidney disease every year. The

parent, sibling or child of a person

frequency of urination, a weak stream

people most at risk of kidney disease

diagnosed with glaucoma.

of urine and the sudden, urgent need

are those with:

to urinate. Most men with these

- diabetes,

symptoms do not have prostate cancer.

- high blood pressure,

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