A Health Quiz For Men

For many men, a receding hairline is the most visible sign of aging, and an enlarged prostate the most uncomfortable. Test how much you know about age-related changes in men’s health.

1) True or False? Unlike women, men don't undergo a decline in hormone levels as they age.

False-Levels of testosterone decline gradually with age and can result in decreased libido, loss of muscle mass, and declining energy. Hormone replacement to restore testosterone levels to those of a young adult can improve these symptoms and protect against heart disease as well.

2) True or False? Not only is prostate cancer one of the most common cancers in men, it is one of the most deadly types of cancer.

False-Although prostate cancer is common, in most cases it is not aggressively malignant. Because it usually spreads very slowly and remains in the prostate, men more often die with prostate cancer than from it.

3) True or False? Benign growth in the prostate is caused by an excess of testosterone.

False-While testosterone levels actually decline with age, there is an increase in the activity of an enzyme that converts testosterone into a related hormone called dihydrotestosterone. Growth of the prostate and hair loss beginning around the age of 40 are both caused by increased levels of this problematic hormone.

4) True or False? Men with high levels of the mineral selenium are at greater risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.

False-Selenium has been demonstrated to protect against many forms of cancer, and studies have shown that men with the highest levels of selenium have one-third less chance of developing aggressive prostate cancer than men with the lowest levels.

5) True or False? The herb saw palmetto works as well as the most popular drug treatment in reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

True—A comprehensive analysis of 18 studies found that saw palmetto was as effective as the prescription drug Proscar in improving urine flow, with fewer side effects.