Prostate Cancer Screening and Other Health and Safety Tips

This week, we’re sharing a few health and safety tips relevant to this time of year: when to schedule a prostate cancer screening, protecting your home while on vacation, UV protection for kids, and the ten worst cities to drive in.

Get Tested for Prostate Cancer

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to be aware of the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. One in 7 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test can help detect prostate cancer in its early stages. Though it does not show whether or not you have prostate cancer, it shows abnormalities that would prompt further testing, where cancer may be identified.

The survival rate when prostate cancer is detected early is nearly 100 percent, and the PSA test can help with early detection. However, the PSA test may not be the best option for everyone. Men over the age of 40 should discuss with their doctors whether screening is right for them.

Though all men have some risk of getting prostate cancer, the following things can increase your risk:

  • Age: Though all men over 40 are at risk, the older you get, the greater your risk.
  • Race: African-Americans are the most likely to develop this cancer, while Asian men have the lowest risk.
  • Family History: If your father or brother has prostate cancer, you are twice as likely to develop it.

Research suggests that exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower your risk. Talk to your doctor today about getting tested for prostate cancer and about other ways in which you can take charge of your health. Click here to learn more about catching prostate cancer early.

Protecting Your Home While on Vacation

Going on vacation is a great way to relax and take your mind off the daily grind. Don’t let the excitement of an upcoming trip prevent you from securing your home against burglars. Consider the following tips:

  • Make sure all outdoor lighting works properly. Replace any batteries or bulbs if needed.
  • Have a friend, family member or neighbor check on the house often and collect mail. Also consider having someone mow your lawn or plow the driveway, if necessary.
  • Place automatic timers on your lights and set them for different times in different rooms. This will give the impression that you are home and doing things in those rooms. Also consider setting a radio to a timer so that thieves are deterred by voices in the home.
  • Do not leave your valuables such as jewelry, art work or electronics sitting out in plain view. Hide these items in inconspicuous places such as old laundry detergent boxes.
  • Take a photo inventory of each room of the house before you leave in case there is a loss.
  • Try not to be too specific when posting about your upcoming trip on social media sites. Exact details will give criminals plenty of information about the perfect time to break in.

As always, check to make sure your homeowners insurance coverage is up-to-date before the trip. Contact Thams Agency today to make sure your home is safe while you’re vacationing.

UV Protection For Children

Most exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays happens before age 18. This is why experts strongly recommend that children, toddlers and infants receive the same level, or a higher one, of UV protection as adults.

Here are some helpful tips for your children’s UV protection:

  • Schedule sports and other outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the afternoon or evening. However, it is important not to reduce your child’s overall exercise.
  • Don’t overlook natural shade.
  • When out in the sun for any length of time, children should use a sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more with UVA protection.
  • For best results, sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before exposure to the sun, so it is absorbed by the skin and less likely to rub or wash off. Reapply lotion every couple of hours.
  • Remember to protect children on cloudy days. Most damaging UV rays penetrate light cloud cover and haze.
  • For children wearing bathing suits, make sure that sunscreen is applied up to and under the edges of the suit to protect sensitive areas. Pay particular attention to the tops of the feet and the backs of the knees.

The 10 Worst Cities for Drivers

Driving can often be a hassle, with inconsiderate drivers, traffic jams and high gas prices making it a daily headache for many. Consumer advice website NerdWallet recently compiled a list of the 10 worst cities to drive in, based off five different criteria: number of days of precipitation, annual hours of delay per commuter, gas prices, population density and average city car insurance rates. Here are the results:

  1. New York City, NY
  2. Seattle, WA
  3. Detroit, MI
  4. Boston, MA
  5. San Francisco, CA
  6. Miami, FL
  7. Chicago, IL
  8. Honolulu, HI
  9. Washington, DC
  10. Oakland, CA

As the most dense city in America, New York City unsurprisingly takes the top spot. While many of the others on this list are very dense cities as well, large public transportation systems can be found in each and offer a less stressful option for getting around.

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