8 things to know about prostate cancer If you’re a man, you have a roughly 1-in-8 chance of getting a prostate cancer diagnosis in your lifetime. Though it’s a serious condition, the prostate cancer death rate is half of what it was 30 years ago, thanks to earlier detection and better treatments. Here are eight facts you should know about prostate cancer today. Symptoms It’s important to be aware of symptoms when it comes to cancer prevention. Here’s the rundown on the signs of prostate cancer. 1 Early-stage prostate cancer typically has no symptoms at all. (That’s why you need to get screened.) 2 Later-stage symptoms can include frequent, difficult or painful urination. You might also have erectile dysfunction or pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis and upper thighs. Screening Getting screened is essential to catching prostate cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. Just keep in mind that screening tests aren’t perfect. False positives are common. If your test results are positive, stay calm and follow your provider’s advice about the next steps. 3 There are two types of screening tests: a digital rectal exam and a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. 4 If either of those tests show abnormalities, you may need more testing, such as a transrectal ultrasound or a biopsy. Types of prostate cancer If a biopsy shows that you have prostate cancer, the next step is staging. This tells you how aggressive the cancer is and if it’s spread. Here’s how it breaks down: 5 Stages I and II are early stages of prostate cancer. The cancer hasn’t spread beyond the prostate. 6 Stages III and IV indicate that the cancer is more advanced and has spread to other parts of the body. Prostate cancer treatment If you receive a diagnosis, know there are treatments available to help. Talk to your provider to choose a treatment plan that is right for you. 7 Sometimes the best treatment for prostate cancer is no treatment. This plan is called watchful waiting, and it means your provider will check the growth of cancer often. If there’s no growth, there’s no need for treatment. 8 When treatment is needed, it will often involve radiation therapy and/or hormone therapy to shrink the cancer. Your provider may also recommend surgery to remove your prostate. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Cancer Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute For a complete list of contracted urology providers, visit www.kerncountyhealth benefits.com or call the Member Services number on the back of your ID card.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTI0MzU=