If you’re a man over 40, you may be worried about developing prostate cancer — and with good reason. Millions of American men have already been diagnosed, and experts expect nearly 200,000 more cases to be diagnosed this year.
Prostate cancer develops in a man’s prostate, the walnut-sized gland responsible for producing seminal fluid in men. The medical team at Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia, specializes in prostate cancer, helping men in Central Virginia with diagnosis and treatment options.
It’s important for all men over 40 to talk to their doctors about prostate cancer screenings. But at Urological Associates, we also appreciate the importance of patient education. To help you better understand prostate cancer, we’ve put together this list of five things you should know about the disease.
1. It’s the most common non-skin cancer in American men.
Did you know that you’re more likely to get prostate cancer than colon, kidney, stomach, and skin cancer combined? It may be hard to believe, but in America, one new case of prostate cancer is diagnosed every three minutes. It’s the most common non-skin cancer in men in the United States and the fourth most common type of tumor across the globe.
2. It’s not a death sentence.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you’ve probably seen the scary statistics that indicate it’s the second leading cause of cancer death in men in America. But there’s good news. Due to recent medical advancements in treatment and diagnoses as well as improved patient education, the trend in death rates has been on the decline since the mid-1990s.
Early detection is key to keeping you healthy. The 5-year survival rate for men in which the disease has not spread outside the prostate is nearly 100%, and there are currently over 3 million prostate cancer survivors living in the US today.
3. Younger men can get prostate cancer.
While it’s true that as your age increases so does your risk of developing prostate cancer, it’s not just a disease for older men. Approximate 40% of prostate cancer cases occur in men under age 65. Your risk for developing the disease at any age increases if you have a family history of prostate cancer, are an African-American man, or eat a high-fat diet.
4. Screening can catch prostate cancer early.
Prostate cancer typically grows slowly, meaning patients don’t usually have symptoms until the disease is more advanced. Screening can help catch prostate cancer early and improve your chances for successful treatment.
When you should be screened depends on your family and medical history. The team at Urological Associates helps you determine when to start prostate cancer screenings, but most men generally begin around age 50.
5. Many treatment options exist.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, know that many different treatment options exist. Our team determines the best course of treatment for depending on how quickly your prostate cancer develops, whether or not it’s spread outside the prostate, and your overall health.
Two of the more common prostate cancer treatment options include:
- Brachytherapy: A form of radiation performed in-office for early-stage prostate cancer, brachytherapy involves placing radioactive capsules directly into the affected tissue where it remains for three months before removal.
- Radical prostatectomy: Performed by a surgeon, radical prostatectomy involves removing the prostate gland and surrounding tissues and lymph nodes either through the abdomen or perineum.
Other treatment options include hormone therapy, biological therapy, and chemotherapy. When started early, you can expect an excellent outcome from treatment of your prostate cancer.
If you’d like to learn more about prostate cancer, screenings, or treatment options, contact Urological Associates by calling 434-295-0184 to schedule an appointment.