Of all the illnesses men may face, prostate cancer is one of the most common. It’s estimated that 1 in 9 men are diagnosed every year. As such, understanding the warning signs and risk factors is vital. Follow the information in this guide to know when you should schedule an appointment with your oncologist.

What Are the Risk Factors?

Depending on your background, age, and lifestyle, you may be at a higher risk for prostate cancer. Once you reach 50 years of age, your chances of developing the illness increase with each year. Additionally, men of African or Caribbean descent have a higher chance of being diagnosed with the disease. Finally, prostate cancer tends to run in families.If your father or grandfather had the illness, you’re more likely to develop it as well. 

What Are the Symptoms?

A few warning signs should prompt a trip to the doctor for testing. If you notice an increase in urination or urgency, have trouble urinating fully, see blood in your urine or semen, feel discomfort (such as burning or pain) while urinating, or have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, you should schedule a prostate exam with your oncologist right away. 

Why Is Early Detection Crucial?

Although prostate cancer is common, survival rates are high with early detection and treatment. With early diagnosis, before the cancer has spread to other organs or tissues, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%. Because early detection is critical to survival, see your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of the disease.

If you have questions or concerns about prostate cancer, talk to Tennessee Plateau Oncology in Crossville. With over 20 years of experience, this cancer treatment center has experience dealing with everything from leukemia to pancreatic cancer. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (931) 484-7596 to schedule an exam today.