Some scary numbers: According to the National Cancer Institute, about one in every seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in his life. That, the organization reports, contributes to nearly 240,000 new diagnoses each year, and roughly 30,000 deaths attributed to the disease each year.
As daunting as those stats sound, they don’t need to be.
Early detection ““ when the disease is most easily treated or cured ““ is done through the digital rectal exam (the thought of which makes even the staunchest man squirm) or through the prostate-specific antigen blood test. Simple. And, as one of the slowest growing and spreading forms of cancer, it has a survival rate of nearly 90 percent if caught early, according to the NCI.
Forgoing tests or getting tested too late, though, can let the disease progress to its deadliest, metastatic form which spreads and has much lower survival rate (around 30 percent).
So, vigilance is important. While you procrastinate, staving off nightmares of snapping surgical gloves, some risk factors to keep in mind:
- Family history: The disease has a definite genetic link, though scientists have yet to find the exact genes involved. If someone in your family has had prostate cancer, your chance of developing it is 2-3 times greater, according to the NCI.
- The number of birthday candles on your cake: Thirty percent of men over 50 years old have prostate cancer. That number jumps to 80 percent in men over 70, so the sooner you get tested, the better. Studies have shown that the younger you are when diagnosed, the better your chance at survival, too.
- What state you live in: Strangely, in the U.S., there’s a distinct difference in prostate cancer statistics between men who live in northern states and the south, with northern residents having a greater incidence. Why? It’s open to interpretation. One recent study suggested it may be weather-related, as residents in warmer climates tend to be more active year-round. Exercise ““ even moderate exercise ““ has been linked to lower rates of the disease.
- Race: As shocking as it may sound, your race may place you in greater risk for developing prostate cancer. African-Americans’ risk of prostate cancer-related death is 2.5 times greater than the general population. Whether that increased risk is due to genetic disposition or other factors, no one is sure. But Asian and Hispanic men have the lowest rates of developing or dying from prostate cancer.
And lastly ”
- Sexual activity: A few studies have shown links between sexual activity and prostate cancer. Surprising, but it makes sense since the prostate is part of the reproductive system. Study participants who were sexually active at least three times a week (whether with a partner or failing to be master of their domain) showed a much lower risk, sometimes up to 25 percent less than men who said they were less active.
