Discussing problems with the prostate gland tend to make men uncomfortable; many doctors attribute this to the fact that it has a role in both sex and urination. Not all of the functions of this small round lump of tissue found behind the base of the penis are known, but one of its main roles is to add fluid to sperm as it goes to the urethra.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH, also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy) is an enlargement of the prostate gland believed to be caused by changing hormones when men get older. It is common in men over 40 and more than half of men over 60 have it to some degree. Symptoms include frequent urination, trouble starting and stopping urine flow and an inability to empty the bladder.

It is important to note that although they have similar symptoms, BPH is NOT a form of cancer.

There are many ways to diagnose this condition, including a digital rectal exam, a rectal ultrasound, or a PSA test. While until recently treatment was limited to surgery, scientists have developed medication that relaxes the muscles around the prostate or shrinks the prostate itself; for severe cases surgery may still be advised.

If you show any of the symptoms, it is important that you visit your doctor in order to rule out prostate cancer and to get treatment in the early stages. Left untreated, it can cause complications such as bladder infections, kidney damage or incontinence.

No such thing as a safe tan

Tanning bed bulbs produce UVA and UVB radiation, just like the sun. These rays can be responsible for cancerous and non-cancerous melanoma that kills up to 47,000 people every year. The Center for Disease Control estimates that as many as 700 people visit emergency rooms every year for tanning salon exposure. It is common for people to be leery of burning in the sun, but ongoing "sensible tanning" in the salon can cause just as much damage.

Recently, many have opted for short high pressure sessions at the salon. These high pressure sessions cause skin damage equivalent to one year of exposure to the sun. Tanning is the skin's natural reaction to injury from UVA and UVB radiation.

So, unfortunately for those who enjoy the subjective cosmetic benefits of a tan, the tanning bed is no safer than bathing in the sun.

Mediterranean Diet

Conclusions of a recent study involving 22,000 people over a four-year period revealed that persons who regularly enjoyed a Mediterranean diet lived longer and were 25% less likely to die from heart disease and certain cancers.

A large role in the diet is played by olive oil, which has been revered for centuries for its benefits. Olive oil is cholesterol-free and contains antioxidants that discourage arterial clogging and chronic disease such as cancer.

Other key ingredients in the Mediterranean diet include large concentrations of fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and nuts.