By Dhiren Dave, M.D., urologist at Somerset Medical Center
When it comes to prostate cancer and related topics, most men are hesitant to talk to their doctors and ask questions about what they should be looking out for. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, only 59 percent of men saw a doctor last year and are far more likely than women to go more than a year without seeing their physician.
Many men try to “tough it out” and if they are feeling extremely sick, most generally use the internet to figure out what is wrong. When it comes to prostate cancer though, the internet doesn’t provide the correct information a patient will need. Only a doctor will be able to help provide a patient with specific answers based off of their risk factors.
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When making an appointment with your doctor to discuss your risks of prostate cancer, be sure to keep the following questions in mind:
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- How often do I need to get tested and what does the test involve?
- What are my risk factors?
- Is there anything I can avoid or do to reduce my risk of getting prostate cancer?
- What symptoms should I be most worried about?
- How do I know the difference between regular aging and actual problems?
What some men may not know is that they should be screened for prostate cancer once a year. Screening for prostate cancer involves a digital rectal examination to feel the prostate, as well as a blood test to check for PSA starting at the age of 50. However, African American men and men who have a family history of prostate cancer are strongly recommended to take a proactive approach and begin testing at the age of 40, as they are considered to be at higher risk for the disease.
As men age, they are at a greater risk for developing prostate cancer. More than 65 percent of men diagnosed are over the age of 65. Other risk factors for developing prostate cancer to consider include race, family history and diet. Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms, except in its advanced stages when it can cause difficulty with urination, blood in the urine, or bone pain due to spread of cancer to the bones.
Visit your physician or local hospital for prostate cancer screenings and to learn more about your own personal risk factors, and encourage others to take a similar approach in order to fight the prevalence of this life-threatening disease.
