6 Facts to Know About Prostate Cancer
For men in the United States, prostate cancer is the second-most common form of the disease, behind only skin cancer. Approximately one in every nine U.S. males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and because of that, it’s important to learn the basic facts about the disease to better prepare yourself mentally.
If you’re concerned something might be wrong with your bladder or prostate, it’s time to visit the doctor. As we mention in other blog posts, you should never assume you have or don’t have any disease, condition, or disorder, but instead you need to visit your urologist to get a proper diagnosis. That being said, there are still things you should know about the disease. Here are the top six basic facts to understand about prostate cancer.
1. Prostate Cancer is Very Common
As we said above, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of the disease, affecting more than 3 million American men. In the year 2020, it’s predicted that nearly 200,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease. Prostate cancer is more common than colon, kidney, and stomach cancer, as well as melanoma, in men.
2. Age is a Factor
There’s a reason that most standard prostate exams are recommended at age 50; the older you get, the more vulnerable you are to prostate cancer. After you reach 50, you’ll want to get screened with at least some manner of frequency to be safe.
3. Family History is Important
If someone in your family – a father, brother, uncle, or even a son – has prostate cancer, there’s a better chance you could get it too. In fact, people with prostate cancer in their family are twice as likely to get the disease, so if you know a relative who has or had it, you should get screened earlier and more often.
4. The Causes of Prostate Cancer
There are no absolutely certain causes for prostate cancer, but there are a few factors that some doctors agree seem to lead to an increased risk. The biggest of these is your diet. A diet high in fats, such as that from red meat and other high heat-cooked meats, can contribute to the disease. Prostate cancer is also more common in countries where meat and dairy products are dietary staples, so lowering your intake of these could help.
A few other suspected factors are your body mass index, or BMI, as well as your rate of physical activity, smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products, a high calcium intake, and your family history.
5. Prostate Cancer is Often Silent
While there are many symptoms of prostate cancer – like blood in the urine or just pain/burning while going to the bathroom – the truth is that the disease is often completely invisible and silent. That’s why screenings are so vital. It’s often the case that patients thought they were completely healthy before their screening.
The absolute best way to make sure you are all clear and prepared is to visit your urologist.
6. Prostate Cancer is Beatable
One of the few positive facts about prostate cancer is that it is a highly treatable form of cancer. In fact, up to 99 percent of people diagnosed live five years or more after their diagnosis. While it might seem uncomfortable or scary to get a screening, there is another reason they are so important. The earlier your urologist detects any issue with your prostate – including not just cancer but other problems – the better.
Time to Visit the Urologist
If you’re experiencing any unusual or painful symptoms, it’s a great time to visit your urologist. Even if you’re not but you’d like to make sure everything is shipshape, that’s fine too!
Contact Norman Urology today to schedule your appointment for all your urology needs. Our team is well trained and ready to help!
