The American Cancer Society states that one out of every seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is dangerous because there is often no way to detect it in the early stages; however, surviving prostate cancer is greatly increased when diagnosed early. 

  “The American Cancer Society recommends that men should begin screening for prostate cancer at age 50,” said Sasha Wahab, M.D., a radiation oncologist with Piedmont Henry Hospital. “However, those with a higher risk of the disease, including men with a family history of prostate cancer, or African American men, should begin screenings at age 40.”

  In addition to a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, a screening also typically includes a brief digital rectal exam. Though there has been some debate around the PSA, the death rate from prostate cancer has steadily declined since its regular use began over 30 years ago.

  Prostate cancer has many risk factors that men can’t control, such as age, family history, and race and ethnicity. Among the risk factors that can be controlled, however, are maintaining a healthy weight, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and staying physically active.

  “Men who eat a high amount of fat each day have an increased risk of prostate cancer. One way for men to reduce their personal risk is to eat more fruits and vegetables during the day and reduce total fat intake from meats and dairy,” said Dr. Wahab, “One trick is to eat the vegetables first and save meat for last, when you aren’t quite as hungry. If you struggle with eating less meat, move towards chicken and fish, grilled or baked rather than fried.” 

  Screening for the disease can help with early detection, but men should also know the signs of a potential issue. Typical symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty stopping or starting urination, painful urination, frequent urination at night, blood in the urine and difficulty in getting an erection. Men should speak with a primary care physician about prevention options if they are concerned about their risk of developing prostate cancer, as well as making healthy lifestyle choices.

  To learn more about oncology services at Piedmont, visit piedmont.org/cancer.