Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer information such as how many people get prostate cancer, what is prostate cancer, risk factors of prostate cancer and screening recommendations.
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men other than skin cancer. It is estimated that there will be about 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2008. About 28,660 men will die of the disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded by lung cancer. The prostate is a gland only found in men. It is the size of a walnut just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The tube that carries urine (the urethra) runs through the prostate. The prostate contains cells that make some of the seminal fluid. This fluid protects and nourishes the sperm.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Certain risk factors increase a person's chance of getting the disease. This does not mean the person will get the disease nor does it mean people without specific risk factors will not get the disease. It only means there is an increased chance.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors:
- Age (chances increase as men age)
- Race (African Americans)
- Nationality (more common in North America and northwestern Europe)
- Diet (lots of red meat and high-fat dairy products)
- Lack of Exercise
- Family History
Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendations
Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing the amount of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in you blood. It also is found early when the doctor performs a rectal exam for any bumps or hard places. Yearly routine exams can find prostate cancer early. It is recommended that doctors should offer the PSA blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam) yearly, beginning at age 50 to men who do not have serious medical problems and can expect to live at least 10 more years. Men at high risk such as African Americans and men who have a close family member with prostate cancer at an early age should begin testing at age 45. Often prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer which is the reason men in poor health are not necessarily recommended for testing. Talk to your doctor about testing.
Information gathered 10-21-04. Revised on 9-9-08.