Regular Screenings for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer does not discriminate and those who may not consider themselves necessarily high risk may still develop the disease. This is why regular screenings are so vital for protecting yourself against prostate cancer. First and foremost, it is important that you know if you are considered higher risk than other men and that includes assessing your risk factors. The factors that increase risk for developing prostate cancer include:

Age - most evidence of prostate cancer occurs in men age 50 and over.

Race - black men are at higher risk for developing prostate cancer than men of other races.

Family history - those who have had other members of their family - father, brother, etc. - who had prostate cancer are at higher risk for developing cancer.

Diet and lifestyle - those who have a diet that is high in fat - especially animal fat - or who drink alcohol on a regular basis are at higher risk for developing prostate cancer.

Determining your risks allows you to have an open, honest conversation with your doctor who can help you decide if more regular screenings are in order.

Other than risk, symptoms should also always be considered. If you are experiencing painful urination, more frequent urination, pain in the lower back, upper thighs, and hips, painful urination, blood in the urine or semen, or anything that is out of the ordinary, it’s important to share these changes with your doctor so that you can be examined appropriately.

Most important to remember, however, is the fact that there are often few if any symptoms associated with prostate cancer, especially in the beginning stages. In fact, symptoms don’t often begin to materialize for many years. That’s why regular screenings, regardless of the presence of symptoms or even risk factors, are so important for ongoing prostate health.

About Author

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.