The prostate is a walnut-sized organ located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. It produces fluid that makes up a part of semen. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis and out of the body).
Prostate cancer is the most common form of male cancer in the United Sates. Prostate cancers usually grow slowly. If caught early, it is highly treatable and the overall outlook is good.
Prostate Cancer: Facts and Figures
Most common cancer in American men
About 161,360 new case of Prostate Cancer in 2017
About 26, 730 deaths from Prostate Cancer in 2017
1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer during his lifetime
About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 66
Third leading cause of cancer deaths in American men
About 1 man in 39 will die of prostate cancer
2.9 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today
Symptoms:
Men can have different symptoms for prostate cancer. Some men do not have symptoms at all. Some symptoms of prostate cancer are difficulty urinating, frequent urination, weak or interrupted stream of urine, and blood in the urine or semen. If you have any of these symptoms you should see your doctor right away.
Risk Factors:
The older a man is, the greater his risk for getting prostate cancer. Men also have a greater chance of getting prostate cancer if they are African-American or have a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer. Diets high in fat and calories are shown to increase the risk of developing Prostate Cancer. Those who get little to no exercise are more likely to develop Prostate Cancer
(Or we can put bullet points)
ScreeningTests:
Two tests are recommended to screen for prostate cancer:
Digital rectal exam (DRE): A doctor or nurse inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to estimate the size of the prostate and feel for lumps or other abnormalities.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test: Measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a substance made by the prostate. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. The PSA level may also be elevated in other conditions that affect the prostate.
Should You Get Screened?
The American Cancer Society recommends men talk with their health care provider about the possible risks and benefits of prostate cancer testing so they can decide if being tested is right for them.
They should have this talk:
At age 50: If they are at average risk for prostate cancer and are expected to live at least another 10 years.
At age 45: If they are at high risk because they are African American or have a close relative (father, brother, or son) who had prostate cancer before age 65
At age 40: If they are at even higher risk of getting prostate cancer because more than one close relative had prostate cancer before age 65
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/prostatecancer/index.htm
American Cancer Society
http://contentsubscription.cancer.org/prostate-cancer-awareness.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
