What you should know about prostate cancer

All men are at risk for prostate cancer and the most common risk factor is age.

Some men are at increased risk for prostate cancer. You are at increased risk for getting or dying from prostate cancer if you are African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer.

For some men, genetic factors may put them at higher risk of prostate cancer. You may have an increased risk of getting a type of prostate cancer caused by genetic changes that are inherited if:

• You have more than one first-degree relative (father, son, or brother) who had prostate cancer, including relatives in three generations on your mother’s or father’s side of the family.
• You were diagnosed with prostate cancer when you were 55 years old or younger.
• You were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and other members of your family have been diagnosed with breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer.

Different people have different symptoms for prostate cancer. Some men do not have symptoms at all. If you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away:

•     Difficulty starting urination
•     Weak or interrupted flow of urine
•     Frequent urination, especially at night
•     Difficulty emptying the bladder completely
•     Pain or burning during urination
•     Blood in the urine or semen
•     Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away
•     Painful ejaculation

Keep in mind that these symptoms may be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer.

Cancer screening means looking for cancer before it causes symptoms. The goal of screening for prostate cancer is to find cancers that may be at high risk for spreading if not treated, and to find them early before they spread.

There is no standard test to screen for prostate cancer. Two tests that are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer are a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal examination. PSA is a substance made by the prostate, and the levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. But the PSA level may also be elevated in other conditions that affect the prostate.

The recommendations about prostate cancer screening are:

• Men who are 55 to 69 years old should make individual decisions about being screened for prostate cancer with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
• Before making a decision, men should talk to their doctor about the benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer, including the benefits and harms of other tests and treatment.
• Men who are 70 years old and older should not be screened for prostate cancer routinely.

This recommendation applies to men who:

•     Are at average risk for prostate cancer.
•     Are at increased risk for prostate cancer.
•     Do not have symptoms of prostate cancer.
•     Have never been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

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