http://www.ArizonaHears.com Men's Health Screenings; Testicular cancer, cholesterol, prostate cancer and more.

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THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING HEALTH-CARE NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY Vol. 1, No. 5 June 2011
HEALTH-CARE ADVICE
Each month:
Ask an expert
QUESTION: Is it true that regular use of
aspirin and/or acetaminophen can increase
the risk of hearing loss?
RICK D'ELIA
Dr. Scott Sharples practices what he preaches by running several miles every week with a group of friends. Dr. Sharples is a
Men’s health
physician with Gavilan Peaks Family Practice in Anthem, which is affiliated with the John C. Lincoln Physician Network.
THINKSTOCK
screenings
ANSWER: According to an article in the March 2010
issue of the American Journal of Medicine, an 18-year
study of almost 27,000 men found that regular use of
aspirin, acetaminophen and other analgesics can sub-
stantially increase the risk of hearing loss, especially in
men under 50 years of age. Indeed, researchers found
that the use of acetaminophen more than twice a week
by men under 50 doubles the risk of hearing loss, while
Testicular cancer, cholesterol, prostate cancer and more
taking ibuprofen and related non-steroidal anti-inflam-
matory drugs (NSAIDs) increases the risk by nearly two- BY DEBRA GELBART
T
thirds. Regular use of aspirin increases it by about a third. he old cliché about men hating going to the doctor may
Researchers found a 12 percent increased risk of have some truth among certain populations. Regardless,
hearing loss among all the men in the group who used it is important for men in all decades of their lives to be
aspirin twice a week. Among users of ibuprofen and aware of their health status, because simple steps can be taken to
related analgesics, there was a 21 percent increase, with improve many risky conditions. Below is a look at recommended
a 22 percent increase among acetaminophen users. health screenings across a man’s lifetime. This is not a complete
We ask patients about their use of medications, and list and individual circumstances and health history can alter
pain relievers are near the top of the list. Hopefully, with the recommendations.
more understanding of the risks, many will consult their
physicians and seek lower-risk alternatives.
Teens/20s/30s
Because of the high levels of testosterone during this phase of a
EDWARD A. MAZNIO IS PRESIDENT OF PURTONE HEARING CENTERS LLC
man’s life, testicular cancer is a small risk for men between the ages
of 20 and 35. “It’s often a fast-spreading cancer,” said Scott Sharples,
QUESTION: My doctor keeps giving me
M.D., a family practice physician at Gavilan Peaks Family Practice
antibiotics, but my bladder infection
keeps coming back. What can I do? in Anthem, which is affiliated with the John C. Lincoln Physician
Network. “Regular self-examination is very important.”
The risk of testicular cancer is slightly higher for men with a
ANSWER: Between 27
family history of the disease or for men born with an undescended
and 50 percent of women
testicle. Beginning at age 15, young men should perform a testicu-
experience at least one
lar self-exam once a month. Instructions for how to do this can be
recurrent bladder infection
RICK D’ELIA
found at nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003909.htm, which is
(cystitis) within a year of the
jointly sponsored by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the
first infection. Causes include
National Institutes of Health.
kidney or bladder stones,
To stay fit and healthy, Dr. Priya Radhakrishnan and This age group needs to be mindful of the risk of skin cancer,
bacteria entering the urethra during intercourse, altered her family often take walks together in the McDowell
Mountain Preserve. Dr. Radhakrishnan is chair of the too. Young men should see a health provider if they have any spot
estrogen levels during menopause, abnormal urinary
Internal Medicine department at St. Joseph's Hospital on their skin that seems like it won’t heal, or if a mole is dark and
tract shape/function and genetic predisposition.
and Medical Center in Phoenix. appears to be growing larger.
Continued on page 6 Continued on page 7
The Best Medicine Alphabet soup of sunscreen
age spots. UVB rays tan and burn skin and that contain avobenzone, ecamsule, zinc
SPF, UVA, UVB – Oh my! are the primary cause of skin cancer. oxide or titanium dioxide can provide some
H
ere in Arizona, we’ve all heard the According to the American Cancer protection from UVB and most UVA rays.”
term ‘SPF,’ which stands for sun Society (cancer.org), sunscreen products In addition, the Cancer Society indicates
protection factor. SPF refers only labeled ‘broad-spectrum’ provide some that SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about
to protection against ultraviolet B (UVB) protection against both UVA and UVB rays, 93 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30
light-rays, not UV ‘A’ rays. but the Cancer Society also states on its sunscreens filter out around 97 percent.
UVA rays typically cause less sunburn, website that “at this time there is no standard SPF 50 sunscreens protect against
but they can penetrate windows and system for measuring protection from approximately 98 percent of UVB rays;
THINKSTOCK
lightweight clothing and these are the rays UVA rays.” SPF 100, about 99 percent.
responsible for wrinkles, leathery skin and The Cancer Society notes that “products — DEBRA GELBART
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