Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the U.S.
About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
But experts say many Americans aren’t aware of the symptoms, and those warning signs often come when the disease is in later stages and it’s harder to treat.
But if it’s caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable.
“If somebody is diagnosed with prostate cancer when it’s still confined to the prostate, then the chances of you being alive at 5 years is 100% from prostate cancer,” said Dr. Edmund Folefac with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Folefac said later-stage symptoms of the disease may include:
- Frequent urination
- Trouble emptying the bladder
- Blood in urine
- Pelvic pain
- Sexual dysfunction
“Thankfully, a majority of the prostate cancer here in the U.S. are picked up when patients don’t have any symptoms -- through screening,” Folefac said.
Since there are often no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, Folefac said those at high risk should talk to their doctor about being screened.
That includes anyone with a family history of prostate cancer, people with medical conditions that might make the disease hard to treat if it’s found, and African American men, who are at increased risk of not only getting the disease but dying from it.
Folefac said the prostate specific antigen or PSA test examines the blood. High levels may mean cancer, but there are also other causes, like an infection. PSA levels also generally rise with age.
“Your doctor can then tell you what that PSA signifies and if you should undergo that testing or not,” Folefac said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the potential benefits and harms of screening, diagnosis and treatment should also be considered.
The goal of prostate cancer screening is to find cancer early, but the agency also warns that treatment for this slow-growing disease may not be necessary for all men who have it.
And some may have complications from the treatment.
Experts agree that decisions about screening should be made by the patient, alongside their doctor.