What should men know about prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men, behind heart disease. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. The key to improving survival rates is catching the disease in its early stages.

What are the early warning signs of prostate cancer?

Most men do not experience symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. When symptoms do appear, they can include blood in semen, difficulty urinating, frequent urination, painful urination, or pain in the back, hips, or pelvis. These signs often indicate more advanced disease, making early detection through screening especially important.

How is prostate cancer typically detected?

The most common method for detecting prostate cancer is a blood test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). However, PSA is not always reliable. Other conditions can elevate PSA levels, and about 15% of prostate cancers are missed with this test. While PSA remains the primary screening tool, its limitations have led researchers to look for better options.

Are there new tests being developed for prostate cancer detection?

Researchers are currently studying a urine test that analyzes a specific group of RNA molecules. This test could offer several advantages over PSA screening, including improved accuracy and the ability to distinguish between slow-growing and aggressive tumors. The urine test is also easier to collect and process, and it could help doctors tailor treatment more effectively.

Who should be screened for prostate cancer?

The American Cancer Society recommends that men age 50 and older receive regular screenings for prostate cancer. Men at higher risk, including those with a family history of the disease or who are African American, should begin screenings at a younger age.

Why does early detection matter?

Early-stage prostate cancer is highly treatable and often curable. The challenge lies in identifying the disease before symptoms develop. Improved screening tools, like the urine-based RNA test under development, may offer new hope for detecting prostate cancer earlier and more accurately, ultimately saving more lives.