According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and it’s the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men. Like all other forms of cancer, early diagnosis is the key to the best clinical outcomes, and not all prostate cancer is life-threatening; the five-year survival rates for prostate cancer are well over 90 percent if detected and treated in its early stages, and the death rates have fallen by 45 percent over the past two decades, largely due to early detection and/or improved treatment.
The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation has a threefold mission to educate Arkansans, to encourage the timely detection of prostate cancer, and to engage men and their families with personal guidance from the day of diagnosis through survivorship. We make it easy to find a free community screening in your area, and we’re always an email or phone call away if you have any questions. Numerous factors can influence your risk of developing prostate cancer, and you should have an open and honest discussion with your physician about when it’s time to begin routine screenings.
Age. The chance of developing prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. Approximately 60% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65. It’s a good idea for men to consider including a cancer screening as part of their annual physical when they reach the age of 50, or earlier if they have a family history of cancer or present with other risk factors.
Race and ethnicity can be a factor in your risk for prostate cancer, but the reasons for the differences aren’t clear. African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than other races, and they often tend to develop cancer at an earlier age, with 1 in 6 being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Family history. Many cancers run in families, and if you have a father or brother with prostate cancer, it more than doubles your risk of developing the disease. Additionally, your risk of prostate cancer significantly increases if any female relatives, particularly your mother or grandmother, have a history of breast cancer.
To learn more about prostate health or cancer screenings in Little Rock, contact us online or at 501-379-8027
