Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, affecting nearly one in every seven men in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Staying up-to-date on preventive screenings is the most effective way to prevent prostate cancer and detect cancers earlier, when they are most treatable.
Sharing your personal and family health history with your primary care physician can help determine your risk of developing prostate cancer. You may be at an increased risk if one or more of the following apply to you:
- Age: Your risk increases as you age, especially after the age of 50
- Race/ethnicity: African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer
- Family history: Having family members with prostate cancer or certain other cancers may increase your risk
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese, a poor diet and an inactive lifestyle increase your risk
- Smoking
For ways to reduce your risk of prostate cancer, click here.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men considered to be at an average risk begin screening for prostate cancer at the age of 50. If you are at a higher risk, your primary care physician can refer you to a urologist to begin screening earlier, often between the ages of 40 – 45.
There are several screening tests available, including blood tests like prostate specific antigen (PSA), 4KScore, multi-parametric MRI of the prostate and digital rectal exams (DRE). Your urologist will help you establish a screening schedule and select the type of screening that is right for you.
If prostate cancer runs in your family. additional genetic testing may also be recommended. Genetic testing can detect the presence of a specific hereditary abnormality and helps to determine your risk of developing prostate cancer in the future.
Take our quiz to determine if you might be at high risk.
If prostate cancer is detected, there are several treatment options available to you. Your urologist and the rest of your care team will help you determine which option is best for you based on your overall health and the stage of your cancer. Our urologic oncologists are fellowship trained, making them experts in their field and well-versed in several advanced surgical options. Treatment options for prostate cancer may include one or more of the following:
- Active surveillance
- Androgen deprivation and radiation therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery, including minimally invasive, robot-assisted procedures
For a list of important questions to ask your urologist following a prostate cancer diagnosis, click here.