Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in the United States, aside from skin cancer. In fact, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is rare under the age of 40 and usually affects men over age 65, although the risk starts to grow after age 50.

Unfortunately, early stage prostate cancer may not have obvious warning signs or symptoms. “There aren’t straightforward symptoms of prostate cancer that you might have with other cancers such as skin cancers, where you see a growth,” said Dr. Andrew Turk of Aultman Urology on a recent Health Matters radio program.

So how can you know when you might have prostate cancer?

Know Your Numbers

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. You may be seeing the slogan “Know Your Numbers,” which encourages men to understand their PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test score and track how it changes over time.

An elevated PSA – above 4.0 – is one of the earliest warning signs that a man may have prostate cancer, although elevated PSA does not always mean cancer is present. That’s why healthcare providers recommend follow-up testing for those with an elevated PSA.

All men should talk to their healthcare provider about prostate cancer screening.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends the following approach, even for men in high-risk groups:

• For individuals aged 55 to 69 years, the decision to undergo periodic PSA-based screening for prostate cancer should be an individual one. Before making the decision, a person should discuss the potential benefits and harms of screening with their clinician and consider these in the context of their own values and preferences.
• PSA-based screening for prostate cancer is not recommended for individuals 70 years and older.

But Turk cautions that men should carefully consider having their PSA checked, especially if they are in high-risk groups: men of African-American heritage, those over the age of 50, and those with a first-degree relative – father, brother or son – who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I generally prefer that men aged 50 to 69 years have their PSA checked annually because prostate cancer can grow quickly,” Turk said. “And men with a strong family history should consider screening at an earlier age, anywhere from ages 40 to 50.”

The earlier cancer is caught, the more effectively it can be treated.

Additional Prostate Cancer Symptoms

As prostate cancer progresses, men may remain symptom-free, or they may begin experiencing symptoms caused by cancer that is growing larger or spreading outside the prostate.

Possible symptoms include:

• A frequent need to urinate, especially at night
• Trouble starting to urinate
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Trouble fully emptying the bladder
• Not being able to urinate at all
• Accidental urinating
• Unable to control bowels
• Painful or burning feeling when you urinate
• Blood in your urine or semen
• Pain or stiffness in your low back, hips, ribs, upper thighs or other bones that doesn't go away
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection
• Weakness or numbness in legs or feet
• Unexplained weight loss

The Importance of Primary Care

These symptoms also can be caused by other issues, so it’s important for men to see a primary care provider at least annually, Turk said. Your provider can order a PSA test and refer you to a urologist, if appropriate.

If you are looking for a primary care provider, Aultman Medical Group Primary Care has many providers ready to take care of you and your family. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.

Sources:
National Cancer Institute
The StayWell Company, LLC