Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Written by: Dr. David Bloom

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men across the country. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and it is more important than ever to be aware of the warning signs and protect yourself and those you love with regular screenings.

Prostate Cancer is second only to lung cancer in the number of cancer deaths in the United States. The prostate organ is only in men, about the size of a walnut and occupies the space just below the bladder in the body. It plays a role in the reproductive system, but when cancer starts in the prostate, abnormal cells begin to grow out of control and may cause pain or other inhibit other bodily functions.

Although some men may not display any symptoms, others may experience difficulty before, during or after urination, continuous pain in the back, hips or lower pelvis or painful sexual activity.

If you have any symptoms that worry you, please visit your primary care doctor.  Identified early on, five-year survival rates are upwards of 97%.  Most prostate symptoms that men will notice are usually not cancer and more likely from Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (benign enlargement) or possibly Prostatitis (swelling, inflammation, possible infection).  But to differentiate and exclude cancer first is very important and thus a doctors visit or better yet, a complete full physical

A screening a fast and easy for patients and only have to be often as you and your doctor decide.   It is important to start screening early if there is a family history of prostate cancer, as well as with African-American men.  Most doctors begin the PSA blood test at age 50, but depending upon the indivdual patient’s histroy & physical, his doctor may begin younger – usually age 40.