September Is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Submitted by Delores Sutton, Marketing Coordinator, Lane Regional Medical Center

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting 1 in 6 men. But who is most at risk of getting prostate cancer and why? There are several major factors that influence risk, some of them unfortunately cannot be changed.

•  Age – The older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although only 1 in 10,000 men under age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 38 for ages 40 to 59, and 1 in 15 for ages 60 to 69.
• Race – African American men are 60% more likely to develop prostate cancer compared with Caucasian men and are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from the disease.
• Family history/genetics – A man with a father or brother who developed prostate cancer is twice as likely to develop the disease. This risk is further increased if the cancer was diagnosed in family members at a younger age (less than 55 years of age) or if it affected three or more family members.

Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer. Many times, signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up. Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual function that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. These symptoms include:

• a need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
• weak or interrupted flow of urine
• painful or burning urination
• difficulty in having an erection
• painful ejaculation
• blood in urine or semen
• frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

You should consult with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms above.

Lane Regional Medical Center and urologist Dr. Robert Grissom will host a free prostate cancer screening Thursday, September 29, at 6:00 p.m.  Men over age 40, who do not have a primary care physician or urologist and have not been screened for prostate cancer in the past year, are encouraged to take advantage of this free screening for early detection of prostate cancer.  Appointments are required and space is limited.  Call 654-LANE (654-5263) to schedule your appointment today.