Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, and according to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that not all prostate cancer is life-threatening, and early detection is the key to the best clinical outcomes. The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation (APCF) makes it easy to find a free community screening in your area, and the process is quick and easy. But what are the risk factors, and who’s at the greatest risk?
APCF 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 encourage you to order some of our free educational materials to learn more, and we’re always an email or phone call away if you have any questions.
Approximately 60% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65, and it’s extremely important to get a physical every year and talk openly with your doctor at the first sign of any health issues. Prostate cancer doesn’t always present with obvious symptoms in its early stages, but you should let your doctor know right away if you have trouble urinating, if you see blood in your urine, or if you struggle to get or maintain an erection.
African-American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than other races, and they’re more than twice as likely to die from the disease; they also often tend to develop cancer at an earlier age. The reasons for the differences are unclear, and a 2022 literature review suggests that outcomes are worse for Black men because they’re less likely to be screened, receive treatment, or participate in clinical research.
We recommend being screened for prostate cancer annually once you reach the age of 45, or earlier if you have cancer in your family. Your risk of developing cancer more than doubles if your father or brother has prostate cancer, and your risk 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
