PROSTATE FACTS

One out of every six men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, excluding skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men.

Prostate cancer usually can be cured if treated before the cancer spreads beyond the prostate.

With proper treatment, the survival rate for men with localized prostate cancer is about the same as that for men who have never had prostate cancer.

The PSA test detects the level of prostate specific antigen in the blood. Certain prostate conditions, including cancer can cause high levels of PSA in the blood.

Every man over age 40 should know he is at risk for prostate cancer.

African Americans have the highest risk of developing prostate cancer.

Having a father or brother with prostate cancer greatly increases a man's likelihood of developing it.

Studies have shown that a high-fat diet may contribute to the development of prostate cancer.

Currently, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer malignancy in American men.

Sons may be at risk for developing prostate cancer at a younger age than their fathers if a prostate cancer gene has been passed from father to son

Each year within the United States, nearly 200,000 new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed. This accounts for more than 30% of all cancers that affect men.

At age 50 years, men who have at least a ten-year life expectancy and younger men at high risk should begin yearly screening for prostate cancer.

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that can give indirect information about whether any prostate cancer is present.

PSA cannot diagnose prostate cancer; only a biopsy can do that. It is however used to indicate you may have significant prostate problems

Prostate cancer is usually curable when caught early. Many cases of prostate cancer are not diagnosed until the disease is quite advanced.

Information about Prostate Cancer Awareness Week can be found at www.pcaw.com

Further information about prostate cancer is available at www.urologyfoundation.org.

To receive educational booklets about prostate cancer call 1-800-242-2383.

September is National Prostate Health Month

It is important that all men be aware of the importance of maintaining prostate health and be checked regularly.

The digital rectal examination, a quick simple office procedure, allows doctors to detect many prostate cancers before symptoms develop

This year, more than 184,000 American men developed prostate cancer and more than 31,000 die of it.

Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms

Men's Health Network