September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to learn more about one of the most common cancers in men. Prostate cancer can often be found before it causes symptoms, which is why understanding your personal risk and talking with your healthcare provider about screening are important.
What Is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is located below the bladder and helps make some of the fluid found in semen.
Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate grow out of control. Some prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause serious health problems. Others can grow and spread more quickly. Finding prostate cancer early can provide more options for monitoring or treatment.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Some men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than others. Risk factors include:
- Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older, especially after age 50.
- Family history: Having a father or brother who has had prostate cancer can increase your risk, particularly if they were diagnosed at a younger age.
- Race: Black men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and are more likely to develop it at a younger age.
- Certain inherited genetic changes: Some inherited gene changes, including changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, may increase your risk.
Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop prostate cancer. Your primary care provider can review your personal and family history and help you decide when to begin talking about screening.
When Should You Talk About Screening?
There is not one screening schedule that is right for everyone. Your healthcare provider can help you decide when screening may be appropriate based on your age, health, family history, and personal risk factors.
The American Cancer Society recommends talking with your healthcare provider about screening beginning at:
- Age 50 for men at average risk who are expected to live at least 10 more years.
- Age 45 for men at higher risk. This includes Black or African American men and men who have a father or brother who was diagnosed before age 65.
- Age 40 for men at even higher risk, including those with more than one close family member who developed prostate cancer at an early age.
Screening is a personal decision. Your healthcare provider can explain the possible benefits and risks and help you decide what is right for you.
What Does Screening Involve?
The most common screening test is the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test. PSA is a protein made by cells in the prostate. Higher levels of PSA in the blood can sometimes be a sign of prostate cancer.
However, a high PSA level does not always mean cancer is present. Other conditions, including an enlarged or inflamed prostate, can also raise PSA levels. If your PSA is higher than expected, your healthcare provider may recommend repeating the test or doing additional testing.
A digital rectal exam (DRE) may also be used. During this exam, a healthcare provider checks the prostate for changes in size, shape, or texture.
What Symptoms Should You Watch For?
Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, which is one reason conversations about screening are important.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Difficulty starting urination
- A weak or slow urine stream
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Trouble getting an erection
- Pain in the hips, back, or chest
- Unexplained weight loss or unusual tiredness
Having one of these symptoms does not mean you have prostate cancer. Many of these problems can be caused by other health conditions. However, new or ongoing symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Your Primary Care Provider Is a Good Place to Start
You do not need to figure out screening on your own. Your primary care provider can help you understand your risk and decide whether screening is appropriate for you.
During a routine checkup, your provider can review your personal and family health history, discuss any symptoms or concerns, explain the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening, and order a PSA test when appropriate. If a screening result or symptom needs further evaluation, your provider can also help coordinate additional testing or refer you to a specialist.
Regular checkups are also an opportunity to talk about other areas of your health, including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, recommended vaccines, and other cancer screenings.
Start the Conversation
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to pay attention to your health, even when you feel well. Knowing your family history, recognizing changes in your body, and having regular conversations with your healthcare provider can help you make informed decisions about your health.
If you are due for a checkup, have concerns about prostate health, or want to know whether prostate cancer screening is right for you, the Family Medicine providers at Crawford County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) can help.
Call CCMH Medical Clinic at 712-265-2700 or click here to schedule an appointment or routine checkup.
