Wellness Watch – Prostate Cancer Awareness

About one in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. That works out to around 300,000 new cases each year, and it is about equal to the rate of breast cancer in women. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (excluding skin cancer), and it is responsible for more deaths in men than any form of cancer except lung cancer. The good news is that prostate cancer is highly curable when it is caught early.

Watch this conversation with Dr. Adam Jones, a radiation oncologist with the Phoebe Cancer Center, to learn more about prostate cancer.

SCREENING

Especially in its early stages, prostate cancer may not have any symptoms, so regular screenings are important. A simple blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test can detect abnormalities in the prostate and is generally the first step in checking for prostate cancer. All men should discuss screening options with their primary care provider at least by age 50. Men at higher risk of developing prostate cancer should be screened earlier.

RISK FACTORS

Age – the risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age
Race – Black men have a significantly higher rate of prostate cancer
Genetics – men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to be diagnosed
Modifiable Factors – maintaining a healthy body weight, not smoking and being physically active may help lower your risk of developing prostate cancer
To help you identify your risk of being developing prostate cancer, take the “Am I At Risk” quiz.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The treatment of prostate cancer may vary widely based on multiple factors including the patient’s age and health and the stage of the cancer. Common treatments include surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and immunotherapy. The Phoebe Cancer Center offers a wide range of advanced treatments. Go to www.phoebecancer.com to learn more about prostate cancer, treatment options and to meet our team of experts.

HEALTHY EATING

Maintaining a healthy diet benefits your body in many ways, including potentially lowering your prostate cancer risk. The Prostate Cancer Foundation has a list of 30 foods it suggests men should eat. See the full list here.

OTHER RESOURCES

The American Cancer Society and the American College of Surgeons also provide a lot of helpful information about prostate cancer. Click on the links below to check out those resources.