Prostate Cancer Awareness!

Prostate Cancer Awareness!

A little more than 180,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and a little over 26,000 of these men will die from prostate cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2016).  Excluding skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men.  Many men live with prostate cancer and die of other causes without ever having symptoms of prostate cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016).

Prostate Cancer Screening

Two tests are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer.  They are a digital rectal exam or DRE and a prostate specific antigen or PSA test.  A DRE consists of a doctor or nurse feeling the prostate for lumps or abnormalities. A PSA is a blood test that measures a substance made by the prostate.  Elevated PSA levels may be a sign that there is a cancer, but can be elevated by other factors as well (CDC, 2016).

It is important to talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening.  There are mixed opinions on prostate screening recommendations.  In addition there are many false positives and false negatives in screening so it is important to way out all the risks and benefits.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Weak of interrupted flow of urine
  • Frequent urination – especially at night
  • Difficulty emptying the bladder
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Blood in the urine or semen
  • Pain in the back, hips or pelvis
  • Painful ejaculation

See your doctor if you have these types of symptoms.  These symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well as prostate cancer.

Check out CDC’s prostate cancer section for more information on prostate cancer.

A Bit About the Coalition

Cape Atlantic Coalition for Health is a regional chronic disease prevention coalition funded by the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Cancer Control and Prevention. Our purpose is to reduce the state's cancer burden and improve health outcomes for people with, or at risk for, cancer and other chronic diseases in Atlantic and Cape may counties. For more information on comprehensive cancer control, visit www.njcancer.gov. Shore Medical Center is the lead agency for Atlantic and Cape May counties. The CACH is working on a variety of projects to improve our community's health. You can help by becoming involved by being a member or volunteer. Anyone interested should call 609-653-3923.