A Message of Prostate Cancer Awareness and Early Detection
- “Today Show” weatherman and prostate cancer survivor Al Roker, 69, shares an important message with SurvivorNet on the value of prostate cancer awareness and early detection.
- SurvivorNet has created a comprehensive guide to help veterans diagnosed with prostate cancer better navigate the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system.
- Although there is some debate on when men should begin prostate cancer screening, a consensus among experts is that men at average risk should begin prostate cancer screening at age 50. Men who are at higher risk should start screening at 40. Men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer may want to consider annual screenings in their 30s.
- Prostate cancer behaves differently in different men. For some, it can be considered “low-risk” and slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In others, the cancer may grow faster or be more aggressive, putting them in a high-risk category and calling for immediate treatment.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs says, “More than 16,000 veterans are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer, making it the most common solid tumor cancer among veterans.”
Popular “Today Show” weatherman Al Roker, 69, is a prostate cancer survivor who is working with SurvivorNet to help spread the important message of cancer awareness and early detection.
Read MoreThe Department of Veterans Affairs says, “More than 16,000 veterans are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer, making it the most common solid tumor cancer among veterans.”
Helping Veterans and Their Families With Prostate Cancer Resources
- Prostate Cancer Treatment Costs at the VA: What’s Your Responsibility?
- The VA’s Erectile Dysfunction Clinic: An Incredible Benefit For Veterans
- 10 Prostate Cancer Terms You Need To Know
- Understanding Access — Mental Health Care at the VA
- Imaging Studies Can Help The VA Guide Your Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Tools For Talking To Loved Ones About Your Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Moreover, veterans are at “increased risk for developing prostate cancer compared with the general population, with a prostate cancer incidence rate ratio of two compared with the non-military population,” according to research published in the journal Cold Spring Harbor Molecular Case Studies. While more research is needed to understand better veterans’ added cancer risk, “exposure to scenarios unique to the military such as depleted uranium and Agent Orange (an herbicide used to control vegetation)” are possible culprits.
RELATED: Veterans Guide to Prostate Cancer Resources
WATCH: Guide for veterans with prostate cancer.
More on Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It starts in the walnut-shaped prostate gland between the rectum and bladder, producing the fluid that nourishes sperm. Fortunately, most prostate cancer is caught with screening examinations.
Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.
The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends men at average risk between the ages of 55-69 years old should talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at age 50 who are at average risk should begin screening. Men who are at high risk of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 40. Men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider annual screenings in their 30s.
Most doctors agree that men over the age of 70 do not need screening.
When you do get screened for prostate cancer, your doctor will run a few tests.
One of the tests is the PSA test, a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for larger amounts of protein-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. An elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer. It could also reflect that your prostate is enlarged, which is common, or it could signal an infection or inflammation.
Your doctor may also conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your prostate for lumps.
Depending on the results of these tests, imaging scans and a biopsy may be ordered. After tests are conducted, your doctor analyzes the results to give you a Gleason Score. This score ranges from 6 to 10. The higher the score, the more aggressive the cancer. This score, along with your other test results, helps doctors determine if your cancer is “low risk,” “intermediate risk,” or “high risk.”
WATCH: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment
SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether and when to screen.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Urinating more often
- Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
- Blood in your urine
- Trouble getting an erection
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Several treatment options exist for prostate cancer depending on its stage and other factors like your overall health. To learn more about prostate cancer treatment, CLICK HERE.
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