A Reminder About Prostate Cancer Screenings
The mornings are crisper, the pumpkin lattes are flowing, and the Patriots are back on the field. More importantly, it’s time for you or your loved one to schedule that prostate cancer screening, since September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness month and a good reminder.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in American men. It says there will be more than 268,000 new prostate cancer cases and about 34,500 deaths in the United States in 2022.
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
Risk factors for prostate cancer include being older (about 60% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65); race/ethnicity (Black men and Caribbean men of African ancestry have higher prostate cancer rates than men of other races); and a family history of prostate cancer.
There’s no sure way to prevent prostate cancer. Some risk factors for prostate cancer are not within your control, such as age, race, and family history. But you can do some things that may help lower your risk of getting prostate cancer, including getting screened.
Prostate Cancer Screening Tests
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests that men ages 55 to 69 should talk with their doctor about the possible benefits and harms of screening in order to make an informed decision.
Things to consider:
- Your personal risk of prostate cancer based on your age, race and family history
- What the screening test results can and can’t tell you
- What the next steps would be if the test results show you might have prostate cancer
- What your options would be for treating or not treating right away
- What the treatment options are if you were to have treatment, including the benefits and possible harms of different treatments
Two screening tests can be used to check for prostate cancer:
- PSA blood test. This test looks at the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is a protein made by prostate cells. A high level means it’s more likely that a man has prostate cancer.
- Digital rectal exam. In this exam, the health care provider puts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to check the size of the prostate and feel for lumps or abnormal areas.
Abnormal results on these screening tests can mean that a man might have prostate cancer, but these tests can’t diagnose prostate cancer. A prostate biopsy is needed to be sure. A biopsy is when tiny pieces of tissue are taken out and tested in a lab.
Ways to Lower Your Risk
The UMass Memorial Health Cancer Center encourages you to take these healthy steps that could lower the risk for prostate cancer:
- Schedule a yearly wellness visit. Take the opportunity to talk with your provider about other healthy habits and whether a PSA test is right for you.
- Eat fruits and vegetables every day. Include tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Also include beans, peas and lentils.
- Limit high-fat meats and high-fat dairy foods. These include hamburgers, sausage, cheese and ice cream. Instead eat lean meats, fish, and low-fat or nonfat dairy foods.
- Limit calcium in your diet. Too much calcium may raise your risk for prostate cancer. Normal amounts of calcium in dairy foods and drinks are fine. But talk with your doctor before you take calcium supplements.
- Stay at a healthy weight. Obesity is linked to a higher risk for a more deadly type of prostate cancer.
- Get physical activity. Be active for at least 30 minutes on most days.
- Quit smoking. Ask your provider for advice on how to quit.
If you’re overdue for your screening or have questions about the risk factors, talk to your primary care physician, or contact the UMass Memorial Health Department of Urology at 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763).
