Reminder: Get Your Prostate Cancer Screening

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month — a reminder that men should get screened regularly for prostate cancer.

Statistics underscore the importance of prostate cancer screenings. Prostate cancer, which occurs in a walnut-shaped gland called the prostate, is the most common cancer in American men — other than skin cancer. About 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. 

The prostate produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

“So many men are impacted by prostate cancer, and there are often no symptoms,” says Dr. Jonathan Li, a urologist with Middlesex Health. “That makes it even more important for men to be screened for prostate cancer regularly by their doctor.”

In the United States, it is recommended that men should consider being screened starting at age 45 — and some as early as age 40. A conversation with a medical provider is recommended regarding when to start, or stop, prostate cancer screening.

Prostate cancer screenings can include a digital rectal exam and/or a PSA test, which involves a blood sample. These screenings can help detect prostate cancer early, when it is still localized to the prostate. 

It is not clear what causes prostate cancer, risk factors include age, race, family history and whether a man is affected by obesity.

While Dr. Li says there are often no symptoms, men with more advanced prostate cancer can have trouble urinating and have pelvic area pain, back pain or bone pain.

“It’s important to understand that most men won’t die from prostate cancer,” Dr. Li says. “While a serious disease, it is often curable and treatable, especially when detected early.”

Treatment

For those who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is important to understand prostate cancer treatments.

For men with low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance alone may be sufficient. In other situations, physicians may recommend surgery to remove the prostate or radiation therapy. 

These treatments can be provided by Middlesex Health Cancer Center. Middlesex Health urologists collaborate with radiation oncologists to care for patients who have prostate cancer. A nurse navigator helps patients from diagnosis through treatment. 

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