Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
10 things to know about prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancers, but when detected early, it is also one of the most treatable. Here are some important facts that every man (and everyone who cares about one) should know:
1. Prostate cancer affects about one in eight men, and more than 175,000 men are diagnosed each year.
2. More than 30,000 men die from prostate cancer each year. In many of these cases, the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage and is no longer treatable.
3. When detected early, prostate cancer is usually very treatable. The five-year survival rate for men who are diagnosed early is more than 99 percent.
4. Prostate cancer generally grows slowly, with no symptoms until the disease progresses into a more advanced stage.
5. At later stages, symptoms may include urinary obstruction, blood in urine or semen, and bone pain.
6. Prostate cancer risk increases with age. There are also several genetic risk factors, including a family history of prostate cancer, having a female family member with a history of breast or ovarian cancer, and having a family member who carries the BRCA mutation. Black men are also more likely to develop prostate cancer and die from the disease.
7. Most men can begin regular screening at age 50, but men who fit into higher risk categories should begin screening sooner. Your doctor can determine a screening schedule that's appropriate for you.
8. Screening usually includes a digital rectal examination and a blood test to measure prostate-specific antigens. An MRI machine may also be used in certain cases.
9. Prostate cancer is often treated with radiation therapy or surgery to remove the entire prostate. Some cancer is simply monitored over time, and treatment is delayed or avoided entirely.
10. To reduce your risk of prostate cancer, it's important to eat a healthy diet and exercise, manage your weight, avoid tobacco, and limit your consumption of red meat, especially charred red meat.
