If you are a man, you are at risk for prostate cancer, and your risk increases with age.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that men older than age 50 get tested for prostate cancer once a year. Your doctor may recommend a different screening schedule if you have additional risk factors, such as being African-American or having a family history of prostate cancer.

Prostate Problems
The prostate is a gland that wraps around a man’s urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder). The prostate makes part of the fluid that carries sperm. Cancer can form inside this gland and be there for years without causing symptoms.

Some men who have prostate cancer have no symptoms. Most experts agree that you should get tested if you have any of these symptoms:

• You urinate often, especially at night.
• You have trouble urinating or trouble starting or holding back urination.
• You have a weak or interrupted urine flow.
• You are older than age 50 and often have pain or stiffness in your lower back, hips, or thighs.

These symptoms can also be caused by an enlarged prostate, which is common in nearly all men as they age and can be treated. Call your doctor if you think you may have this problem.

Common Screenings
Doctors use two tests to look for prostate cancer: a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostatespecific antigen (PSA) blood test. With a DRE, the doctor can feel whether the prostate is enlarged and has unusual growths. A PSA test checks for increased levels of a protein in the blood.

These two tests are not always accurate. They might suggest cancer when there is none or find very slow-growing cancer. If either test suggests that you may have cancer, your doctor will recommend more tests to confirm this.

What Should You Do?
Talk with your doctor and ask for his or her advice. If your doctor suggests regular screenings, ask why. The ACS recommends an annual DRE and PSA for all men ages 50 to 79.

If your doctor tells you that you have cancer, explore your options. Prostate cancer can grow quickly or slowly. In some cases it can take 10 to 15 years before it poses a threat to a man’s health. Prognosis depends on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer. Very early disease in the very elderly may be watched carefully. However, research indicates that younger men with advanced disease who are treated live longer. Ask questions. Before you make any treatment decisions, understand the advantages and the risks.

Are You At Risk for Prostate Cancer?
If you have one or more of the following risk factors, talk about them with your doctor at your next appointment:

• Age. Men older than age 50 are more likely than younger men to get prostate cancer.
• Race. African-American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer more often than white, Asian, or Hispanic men.
• Family history. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles your risk.
• Diet. Regularly consuming red meat and high-fat dairy products and skimping on fruits and vegetables may increase risk.