As you probably know, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and is the second leading cause of death from all cancers in the U.S. In fact, half of men in their 80s have prostate cancer. While this may sound scary, the good news is that prostate cancer is usually slow growing and if caught early on, can be treated and stopped.

“Prostate cancer is regarded as one of the most curable cancers, if caught early,” said a TMH Medical Clinic provider.

Signs of Prostate Cancer

The best way to catch prostate cancer early is to know the signs. Luckily, signs are fairly obvious. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs include:

  • Trouble urinating

  • Decreased force in the stream of urine

  • Blood in your urine or semen

  • Pain in your lower back, hips or thighs

  • Discomfort in the pelvic area

  • Erectile dysfunction

  • Elevated prostate-specific antigen test (PSA)

You may assume your urinary symptoms are a sign of a bladder infection or a kidney problem, but get it checked out. This can be especially true for younger men. While most cases of prostate cancer occur in men over 50, if you have difficulty starting a urine stream, have weak flow or have to go frequently, especially at night, get it checked out,” a TMH Medical Clinic provider said. Trouble urinating might simply indicate that your prostate is enlarged. Having an enlarged prostate is not a sign of prostate cancer nor does it increase your risk of getting it.

Prostate Screenings

Prostate screenings work, especially for men ages 50 to 69, and are often completed annually. During a prostate screening, the doctor will test your PSA level, which measures a protein produced by your prostate gland. The higher the number, the greater chance you might have prostate cancer. (You should know that not all elevated PSAs point to cancer—some are caused by infections.) Then, a physical exam is completed. If you do have a high PSA, sit down and visit with your physician so you can make an informed decision on what to do next.

Preventing prostate cancer

Some risk factors for prostate cancer can’t be prevented, such as genetics and race.

“While 1 in 6 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at some time in their lives, that number increases to 1 in 3 for African Americans. Also, if you have a first degree relative who had prostate cancer—a dad or brother—your risk is doubled or tripled,” a TMH Medical Clinic provider said.

There are things you can do to prevent prostate cancer, and cancer in general. Did you know that exercising three hours a week has been shown to greatly reduce your cancer risk overall? Eating well has similar results.