Around 175,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year, making the disease the second most common cancer in American men after skin cancer. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, providing a platform to spread the word about the disease. Here’s what you need to know about supporting the cause. 

The Impact of This Cancer in the United States

Approximately one in nine American men are diagnosed with this disease in the United States. The illness develops primarily in older men, with 60% of cases occurring in those aged 65 and up. 

African American men are at a higher risk. Other risk factors include smoking and drinking alcohol. One study also showed that eating an early dinner before 9:00 p.m. decreases a man’s risk of developing the disease.

How You Can Support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, ‘do blue’ to spread the word. Don your blue ribbon, encourage the men you love to get screened, and get checked yourself if you are a male over 40. 

There are two tests available: a blood test measuring prostate-specific antigens and a manual rectal exam. Doing these checks increases the odds that any abnormalities are caught early, allowing for easier and more effective treatment.

Although it’s a serious illness and can be fatal, the majority of men diagnosed with this disease do survive. Treatment options include surgery and chemotherapy. Since most prostate cancers grow slowly, localized treatment is usually possible.

Schedule your prostate cancer screening with Medical Center Urology in High Point, NC, this September. Serving the Triad area, these health care professionals provide a welcoming and home-like atmosphere where patients feel at ease; your comfort is their top priority. With their state-of-the-art facilities, they serve an array of urology needs and can treat everything from erectile dysfunction to incontinence. Visit their website to learn more about their practice. To make your appointment, call (336) 882-0220.