Get regular prostate cancer screenings

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men, but many men with the disease live long lives, especially if it is caught early. Regular screening, such as PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests, can help detect the cancer before symptoms arise.

About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Although the causes for the disease are largely unknown, there is a significant percentage of individuals who inherit the disease.

Prostate cancer tends to be more common in people of African descent and affects about 300,000 people a year, resulting in about 35,000 deaths annually. Although these statistics may seem dire, there is good news: with early screenings it is possible to treat and cure the disease entirely.

Adults with a family history of prostate cancer who are age 40 and above are urged to consult with their primary care physicians about requesting PSA blood tests. If these tests yield high results, your doctor may recommend an MRI or biopsy to further evaluate the matter.

For all other adults, screenings should start between ages 45 and 50. Guidelines for future screenings vary after initial screenings. The American Cancer Society recommends individuals with a PSA of less than 2.5 ng/mL screen every two years and individuals with higher PSA levels screen annually. Screenings are not recommended for adults ages 70 to 75.

In its early stages, prostate cancer presents no symptoms, which makes it a silent disease until it becomes advanced, and then it can become aggressive.

Some symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

• Difficulty urinating, such as starting or stopping urination, a weak or interrupted stream, frequent nighttime urination and/or the sensation of pain or burning while urinating

• Kidney failure

• Bone pain and/or fractures

• Unexpected weight loss or fatigue

• Erectile dysfunction

These symptoms are not specific to prostate cancer and may be caused by other conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to consult your primary care physician for proper evaluation and diagnosis.