ONE IN 8 MEN GETS PROSTATE CANCER IN THE USA. Today, we explore what experts want you to know about prostate cancer. We’ll also explore some prostate cancer myths.
I recently came across The Ultimate MANual, a new book about men’s health and wellness. The author, Dr. David Samadi, is a world-renowned prostate cancer surgeon in New York (USA).
In the book, Dr. Samadi provides information about various topics, including nutrition, exercise, urinary functioning, and sexual health. He debunks some common myths about prostate cancer.
Today we examine some of the most common misconceptions about the most common non-skin cancer among men in the United States.
“Diseases desperate grown,
By desperate appliance are relieved,
Or not at all.”
― William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Unfortunately, misconceptions about prostate cancer may put a man’s life in peril. Let’s look at some commonly believed myths about the disease.
Myth #1. Only older men get prostate cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) explains that prostate cancer increases with age. Approximately one in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is more commonly diagnosed in older and non-Hispanic Black men. Approximately six in 10 cases are diagnosed in males 65 or older, and the disease is rare among those under 40. The average age of men with a prostate cancer diagnosis is approximately 67.
Overall, about one in three cases of prostate cancer is diagnosed in men younger than 65; young men are not immune from prostate cancer. Moreover, prostate cancer discovered at a younger age tends to be more aggressive and life-threatening.
Myth #2. Prostate Cancer Grows So Slowly You Don’t Need to Worry About It.
While prostate cancer is often slow-growing, it can spread aggressively (metastasize) to distant sites such as the bones.
The rate of new cases of prostate cancer in the USA was 113 per 100,000 men per year. The death rate was 19 per 100,000 men per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2016–2020 cases and deaths.
This year, there will be an estimated 288,300 new prostate cancer diagnoses. This number represents 15 percent of all cancers. There will also be an estimated 334,700 deaths, representing about six percent of all cancer-related deaths in the USA.
A prostate biopsy can help determine the aggressiveness of the cancer, allowing for the creation of a tailored management strategy for each individual.
Myth #3. Being symptom-free means cancer-free.
Prostate cancer symptoms vary among individuals. Some men have no symptoms from their disease.
Making things more complicated is the fact that prostate cancer symptoms can mimic non-cancer conditions such as benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) — urinary discomfort is one example and blood in semen or urine is another. If you have concerns, please see your healthcare provider or a urologist.
Prostate Cancer Screening
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that men have a chance to make an informed decision with their healthcare provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer.
The discussion about screening should take place at:
- Age 50 for men at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least ten more years.
- Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This high-risk group includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
- Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).
Following this dialog, men who want screening should have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. A digital rectal exam (DRE) may also be done.
Prostate Cancer Screening Interval
If screening suggests no prostate cancer is present, the time between future screenings depends on the results of the PSA blood test:
- Men who opt for testing and have a PSA of under 2.5 ng/mL may retest every two years.
- Screening should be done yearly for men whose PSA level is 2.5 ng/mL or higher.
Because prostate cancer often grows slowly, those with no symptoms of prostate cancer who do not have a 10-year life expectancy should not screen since they are not likely to benefit. Overall health status — and not age alone — is important when making prostate cancer screening decisions.
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The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for reading the “One in 8 Get It: What Experts Want You to Know About Prostate Cancer.”
