Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is common in men older than 65. It usually grows slowly and can take years to grow large enough to cause any problems. As with other cancers, treatment for prostate cancer works best when the cancer is found early.
Important Facts
There are an estimated 191,000 new cases of prostate cancer this year. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the US, it is a cancer of the male reproductive system. One out of every 100 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime and 2-3 of those will die. As men age the prostate gets larger and may cause some problems, it is important to get it checked regularly. Men who have a father, son, or brother who have had prostate cancer are at increased risk.
Signs & Symptoms: Things to look out for
- Problems Urinating
- Blood in the Urine or Semen
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Pain in Hips/Back/Chest
- Weakness or Numbness in the Legs/Feet
- Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control
Risk Factors: Things to be aware of …
The most common risk factor for prostate cancer is age; however having a family history of prostate cancer or being African American puts you at increased risk. African American men are more likely to get it than other men, twice as likely to die from it and tend to get it at an early age but find it at a later stage.
Family History of prostate cancer
Genetic Changes
High Testoterone
Diet High in Saturated fats
Background: Ethnicity & Race
Obesity: Maintain a Healthy Weight
Age: See your doctor more
Environment: Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)
Screening: There are several ways to check for prostate cancer
The various treatments may include close monitoring by a licensed provider, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and surgery to remove the prostate.
Blood Test
Rectal Exam
Treatment: There are many ways to treat prostate cancer
May include close monitoring by a licensed provider
Radiation therapy: uses various strengths of high energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells (sometimes it is combined with hormone therapy)
Surgery to remove the prostate
Talk With Your Doctor If you are thinking about being screened, consider talking to your doctor about the following:
- If you have a family history of prostate cancer
- If you are African American
- If you have other medical conditions that may make it difficult for you to be treated for prostate cancer, if this is true or that may make you less likely to benefit from screening
- The possible benefits and harms of screening, diagnosis, and treatment
Prostate Cancer Fact Sheet
Download & Share with family and friends. All of our free educational tools include access to our community partners who offer free services to residents of Fulton and Dekalb Counties.
Community Partners
Good Samaritan Health Center
1015 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy
NW Atlanta, GA 30318
404-523-6571
www.goodsamatlanta.org
Blue Flowers Organization
2400 Old Milton Parkway Suite 1423
Alpharetta, GA 30009
1-855-BLUE-222
www.blueflowers.org
Whitefoord, Inc.
1353 George W Brumley Way SE
Atlanta, GA 30317
404-373-6614
www.whitefoord.org
CHAMPS/Midtown Urology
1924 Piedmont Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
404-881-0966
www.champsga.org