Live It Out! 7 Things You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men. One out of every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 35,000 die from the disease every year. In fact, a man is 33 percent more likely to have prostate cancer than a woman is to have breast cancer!

    While there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, here’s how you can possibly lower your risk:

  1. Stay physically active and keep your weight at a healthy level.
  2. Eat at least 2½ cups of a wide variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
  3. According to the American Cancer Society, men should discuss being screened for prostate cancer with their physician using the following guidelines:

  4. At age 50 and older if you are at average risk for developing prostate cancer.
  5. At age 45 if you have a high risk for developing prostate cancer: African-Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than 65).
  6. At age 40 if you have the highest risk for developing prostate cancer: those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age.
  7. There are two main screenings done for prostate cancer:

  8. A PSA (protein-specific antigen) blood test.
  9. To be extra safe ask your doctor about a digital rectal exam.

The prostate is a small gland in men. It is part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut. It sits low in the pelvis, below the bladder and just in front of the rectum.

Fortunately, prostate cancer is one of the most easily detected and easily cured forms of cancer.

Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to talk to your physician about which screenings are right for you.

Source: American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute