June is Men’s Health Awareness Month

Men this is Your time to take action for Your health.

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men.  The American Cancer Society estimates that 241,740 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year.  About 28,170 men will die of prostate cancer, and about 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.  

Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men.  Nearly two thirds are diagnosed in men age 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40.  The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 67.  

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer.  About 1 man in 36 will die of prostate cancer.

Risk factors are: Men whose father or brother has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, increasing age, and race or ethnicity.

Possible symptoms are:  Trouble urinating, frequent urination, especially at night, weak or interrupted urine stream, pain or burning when urinating, painful ejaculation, nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis.  

The American Cancer Society recommends that men talk with their health care provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer.  The decision should be made after getting information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening.

When to discuss it with you Physician

• At age 50 for men who are at average risk of developing prostate cancer and are expected to    live at least 10 more years.  

• At age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer.  This Includes African American men who have a first degree relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).

• At age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).

Prostate cancer symptoms can be silent, so early testing is important.

Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it.  In fact, more than 2.5 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.  

If you are 40 or older contact the Mercer County Health Department at 309-582-3759 to set up your PSA screening today.

Funding for this project/publication was made possible by funds received from the Illinois Department of Public Health.