September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about prostate cancer and its potential impact on quality of life. This month, we encourage men to learn about the risks of prostate cancer and discuss prostate health with their doctors. Your doctor can provide guidance for when to start prostate cancer screenings.
Prostate cancer is a significant health concern in the United States. This year alone, nearly 288,300 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the second-most diagnosed cancer in men, following skin cancer. Sadly, 34,700 men will lose their lives to this disease, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, after lung cancer. Since 2014, the incidence rate of prostate cancer has increased by 3 percent annually overall, with a 5 percent annual increase in advanced-stage prostate cancer.
Age is a critical factor in prostate cancer risk. As men age, their risk of developing prostate cancer rises significantly. Men between the ages of 50 and 75 are encouraged to speak with their doctors about prostate cancer screening. However, some should consider starting screening earlier. “Men who are African American or who have a father, brother or son who has had prostate cancer are at higher risk and should begin screening at age 40,” emphasizes Dr. Peter Sershon with Blount Memorial Physicians Group – Urology.
Despite these concerning trends, it’s important to note that most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, about one in 41 men die from the disease. Today, there are more than 3 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed and are living with prostate cancer. This means early detection and appropriate management can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.
Prostate cancer screening is vital in detecting the disease before symptoms appear. “Prostate cancer screening means catching prostate cancer earlier, allowing for more treatment options and a dramatic drop in having incurable disease or dying from it,” explains Sershon. “It is important for patients to know that most early detected prostate cancers do not have any signs or symptoms and are only detected by screening,” he adds.
Screening for prostate cancer is straightforward and typically performed once a year, often during a routine physical exam. It consists of two main components: the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test and the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). The PSA test measures the level of an enzyme produced by the prostate in the blood. Elevated levels can indicate an increased risk of prostate cancer. The DRE involves a doctor examining the prostate through the rectum to check for any irregularities, such as lumps or hard areas, that might suggest cancer. If either the PSA test or the DRE yields abnormal results, your doctor may refer you to a urologist for further evaluation. “Blount Memorial Physicians Group – Urology is fully equipped to guide prostate cancer patients through diagnosis, staging for risk of spread, and all available options to treat and manage the disease,” Sershon noted.
In addition to prostate cancer care, Blount Memorial Physicians Group – Urology provides comprehensive treatment for a wide range of urologic conditions. “People tend to delay coming in for urological problems, but if you have leaking urine, blood in the urine, or are having trouble emptying your bladder, it’s time to come in. Coming in early means we can start treatment at an earlier stage. We can fix a lot of problems that people come in with,” Sershon advises.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Blount Memorial Physicians Group – Urology at 865-980-5260.
