While the actual rate of diagnosis of prostate cancer as well as mortality due to the disease is on the decline, it is still the second most common cause of cancer in the United States. It is the second leading cause of deaths from cancer by men, with an estimated number of 238,590 new cases in 2013 and 29,720 deaths from prostate cancer that same year.
One of the factors that have helped to result in the lower rates is the use of PSA or prostate specific antigen testing which was first introduced in the later part of the 1980s. Typically a primary care physician will request prostate cancer screening for men based on health risks, family history of cancer and other relevant issues.
Issues to Consider
When determining how often to complete PSA tests and prostate cancer screening a doctor will consider several factors that will influence the risk of developing cancer. These include:
1. Family history – if there is a family history of immediate or close family members having prostate cancer, there is an elevated risk for men in the family.
2. Ethnicity and Geography – statistically, men in or from northwestern Europe, Australia, North America and the Caribbean are more likely to have this type of cancer. Areas less associated with prostate cancer include Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. However, African American men in the USA have the highest mortality rate from this form of cancer when compared to any other racial or ethnic groups.
3. Diet – diets high in red meats, saturated fats, and high levels of Vitamin E intake and high-fat dairy products are linked to higher rates of prostate cancer. On the other hand, diets that include cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and kale), fruits and Lycopene, selenium and green tea can reduce the risk.
4. Obesity – men who are obese have a higher rate of developing aggressive types of prostate cancer that also has a higher recurrence rate even after surgical removal or other treatment options.
Early Signs
For most men, there are no easy signs or symptoms of this type of cancer, which is why regular prostate cancer screening is so important. Once the disease progresses to an advanced stage, symptoms can include erectile dysfunction, pain in the back and pelvic area, weakness in the legs and feet, blood in semen or urine and bladder and bowel control problems.
Doctors can complete screening in the office with a digital rectal exam combined with a PSA blood test and ultrasound testing if any irregularities are noted. Early detection through screening provides greater options for treatment and a better overall recovery prognosis.
