Detection And Prevention

Talk with your patients about screening, symptoms, and risk factors for prostate cancer.

Early detection and treatment can keep prostate disease from getting worse. In many cases, however, men with prostate cancer don’t have noticeable symptoms early in the disease.

The Premier Health Cancer Institute follows the American Urologic Association’s clinical guidelines for prostate cancer. They are as follows:

• Younger than 54 years at average risk: no routine screening
• 55 to 69: men in this age range are shown to benefit the most from prostate cancer testing; therefore, should talk to their doctor about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them
• Over 70: select older, healthier men may garner a benefit from prostate cancer screening and should therefore talk to their doctors about the benefits and risks of prostate cancer testing
• African American men and men with a family history of the disease are at higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and should discuss with their physicians the benefits and risks of testing in order to make a shared, informed decision.

Risk Factors

Certain risk factors make it more likely for some men to get prostate cancer. These risk factors include:

• Age. The older you are, the greater your risk. Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed in men age 65 and older; it is rare before age 40.
• African-American. African-American men are more likely to get prostate cancer, to get it at a younger age, and more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men.
• Family history. Men are at increased risk if they have a father, son, or brother with prostate cancer. Some types of prostate cancer are caused by genetic changes that you inherit.

Symptoms

Some men don’t have any symptoms. As prostate cancer advances, your patient may experience some of the following symptoms. Be aware that these symptoms also can have other causes, such as an enlarged prostate or infection.

• Problems with starting to urinate
• Urine flow that is weak or that stops and starts
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Problems with emptying their bladder completely
• Pain or burning sensation when they urinate
• Blood in urine or semen
• Pain in their back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away
• Painful ejaculation

Reducing Risk

Although there isn’t a guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer, men can lower their risk for prostate and many other cancers by:

• Exercising regularly, with at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week
• Eating a healthy diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Not smoking