The Low-down on Prostate Cancer: What Every Man Should Know

Talk to your doctor about risk factors, symptoms and what’s right for you

More than half of all American men will have some cancer cells in their prostate glands by the age of 80. But while prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the United States, its growth rate is very slow compared to most other forms of cancer. Symptoms are often experienced few and far-between, or not at all – so a person could have prostate cancer for 10, 20 or 30 years and not even know he has it.

With most cancer forms, early detection is key. When discovered at an early stage, cancer is less likely to spread and may be easier to treat. National research studies are still underway to determine if early detection and treatment are equally important for prostate cancer. However, experts agree that it’s most important for men to know their risk factors and recognize prostate cancer symptoms so they can talk to their doctors about their individual situations and make informed decisions about screening and treatment options.

Specific causes of prostate cancer have also been the subject of intensive research, and according to the National Cancer Institute, it’s likely that there are several contributing factors that men should be aware of:

Aging – Predominately a disease of older men, the diagnosis of prostate cancer is rare before age 40 but increases dramatically thereafter.

Ethnic background – Black men are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer. White men are among the second-highest risk group, followed by Hispanic and Native American men. Asian-American men have the lowest rates of prostate cancer.

Family history – Prostate cancer is two-to-three times more likely to occur in men whose fathers or brothers have had the disease. The risk is 10 times greater for a man who has three immediate family members with prostate cancer. And the younger a man is when he develops prostate cancer, the greater the risk for his male family members.

Diet – The risk of prostate cancer seems to be higher in men who eat high-fat diets with a lot of red meat and few fruits and vegetables.

Since many men with prostate cancer don’t notice any symptoms at all, and most don’t have any related health problems, experts estimate a low percentage of men with prostate cancer actually receive treatment for the disease. When symptoms of prostate cancer do surface, they often include:

• Dull pain in the lower pelvic area
• Frequent urination
• Pain or burning while urinating
• Weakened or interrupted urine flow
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in lower back, hips or upper thighs
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Painful ejaculation

Even if you never experience any of these symptoms, you may want to talk to your doctor to see if a prostate screening test is right for you – especially if you are over age 40 and have a family history of prostate cancer.

As in any cancer, there is no absolute or guaranteed strategy for prevention, but there is evidence that eating fruits and vegetables as part of a low-fat diet equates to good overall health and a lower risk of cancer. Experts are currently studying the effects of lycopene (an antioxidant abundant in tomato products), vitamin E, soy, selenium and even pomegranate juice – on prostate health.

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