More than 161,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year alone. Prostate cancer is one of the most insidious diseases out there. It tends to “sneak up” on patients before they realize something is wrong. Therefore, it’s time to prioritize prostate cancer.
Brief Overview of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is an unpredictable condition that often appears without warning, yet many remain unaware of what it is. The severe health condition affects the prostate gland, a small organ near a man’s bladder. The prostate’s primary role is to produce fluid that mixes with sperm to create semen. When prostate cancer develops, it can not only prevent average fluid production and affect sexual health, but it can also spread throughout the body and limit its ability to function in several other areas, depending on where it spreads and its severity. Prostate cancer can lead to issues like urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and infertility. Any form of a cancer diagnosis is scary but understanding your condition and the risks is vital to proper care moving forward.
Who is at Higher Risk of Prostate Cancer?
We often fail to think about something until someone we love, or even ourselves, is directly affected. Yet, on average, over 1 in 8 men develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, so it’s essential to know who’s most at risk. Prostate cancer should be on the radar of concern for any aging man as research has revealed that prevalence increases with age, especially in those aged 50 and higher.
Additionally, those with a family history of prostate cancer or African American descent are more likely to be affected than others. However, it’s important to remember that prostate cancer can develop in men of any age and ethnicity – no one is off the hook. Prostate cancer affects many men each year and understanding who’s at greater risk is the first step of many.
The Importance Detection
Are you aware prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in American men? Due to its lack of dramatic symptoms, prostate cancer often sneaks up on unsuspecting patients until it has progressed to more advanced stages, where it becomes significantly more challenging to treat.Therefore, regular prostate examinations and screenings are essential for doctors to catch prostate cancer before it can spread. The good news is that when caught early, prostate cancer is treatable. So, we encourage men to make prostate exams a routine part of their yearly checkups!
It’s a new year and a new chance for better health. It’s time to prioritize prostate cancer and prostate health! Schedule a prostate examination at one of the Urology Clinics of North Texas’s many locations here to learn more about our services.
Resources:
https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html
https://www.cdc.gov/prostate-cancer/screening/get-screened.html
