Shockingly, approximately 240,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the country this year. Yet, Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez finds that many of his patients don’t know much about the disease. Following are some of the most important facts about prostate cancer that every man should know.
It’s typically a disease of old age. Prostate cancer is most widespread among men over the age of 65, and is seldom diagnosed in men under age 40. It is the second most common cancer in men, behind skin cancer. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and will not affect a man’s health or life because men die from other causes before the cancer kills them.
Screening is controversial. Your urologist can test for prostate cancer using the PSA blood test, but its use in healthy men with no visible symptoms remains controversial. The American Cancer Society recommends that men discuss the pros and cons of PSA screening with their Miami urologist to decide whether testing is right for them.
Over-diagnosis is a problem. A major concern with PSA testing is that it reveals cancers that would never have been diagnosed otherwise. This means that the cancers would not have caused significant health problems for patients. Such over-diagnosis is a problem because men may receive tests and treatment they do not need.
Monitoring rather than treating. Approximately 10 percent of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer choose to delay treatment, while the remaining patients receive treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy from their Miami urologist. However, nearly half of the men diagnosed each year opt to delay treatment with a strategy called active surveillance.
Reduce the risks. One way to reduce prostate cancer risk is with a healthy diet. Studies show vegetarians have a lower risk of prostate cancer than men who eat meat, and a nutrient called lycopene, found in tomatoes, has been consistently linked with lower prostate cancer risk. Evidence also suggests that vitamin D may lower men’s risk of developing a deadly form of prostate cancer.
If you would like more information regarding prostate cancer, call the office of best Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez today to schedule a confidential consultation. Don’t take any risks!
