Seven Things Every Man Should Know About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer often grows silently. A man can feel healthy, have no urinary problems and still have the disease. That’s why Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder to understand your risk, watch for changes in your body, and talk with a healthcare provider before symptoms appear. 

Here are seven things every man—and every family that loves him—should know. 

1. Prostate cancer affects men in our community.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. From 2018 to 2022, Georgia’s incidence rate was about 141.6 cases per 100,000 men, according to the National Cancer Institute’s State Cancer Profiles. 

The burden is even greater in parts of metro Atlanta. A recent City of Hope Atlanta community health assessment found a prostate cancer incidence of 170.3 cases per 100,000 men in Clayton County—considerably higher than the statewide rate. These figures underscore the importance of awareness and access to trusted healthcare for men throughout the Atlanta area. 

2. Black men face the nation’s highest risk.

Prostate cancer does not affect every community equally. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Black men in the U.S., and Black men have the highest death rate of any racial or ethnic group. The good news is that early detection and timely treatment can significantly improve prostate cancer outcomes. 

While Hispanic men have a lower reported incidence rate, they may still face barriers to screening and care. Language barriers, insurance status, access to regular care, and concerns about testing can all affect whether men receive the information and services they need.  

3. Age, race and family history can increase your risk.

Risk rises quickly after age 50, and about six in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65. Black men and Caribbean men of African ancestry are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages. 

Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk. The risk is even higher when several close relatives have had the disease or were diagnosed at a young age. Certain inherited genetic changes, including mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome-related genes, can also increase risk. 

The American Cancer Society recommends discussing screening: 

• At age 50 for men at average risk 
• At age 45 for Black men and men with a father or brother diagnosed before age 65 
• At age 40 for men with more than one close relative diagnosed at an early age 

These are starting points for a conversation—not one-size-fits-all rules. 

4. Early prostate cancer may not cause symptoms.

Don’t wait for symptoms to discuss your risk with a healthcare provider. Early prostate cancer often has no noticeable warning signs. 

When symptoms do occur, they may include: 

• Difficulty starting or stopping urination 
• A weak or interrupted urine stream 
• Frequent urination, especially at night 
• Pain or burning during urination 
• Blood in the urine or semen 
• Painful ejaculation 
• Persistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis 

These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer. An enlarged prostate, infection, and other noncancerous conditions can cause similar symptoms. However, you should have any new or persistent symptoms evaluated. 

5. Screening usually begins with a simple blood test.

The PSA test (prostate-specific antigen) measures PSA levels in the blood. Elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer, but they can also result from age, infection, inflammation, or a noncancerous enlarged prostate. A healthcare provider may also perform a digital rectal exam to check the prostate for unusual areas. 

PSA testing has both benefits and limitations. It can help detect cancer before symptoms develop, but it can also produce false-positive results or identify slow-growing cancers that may never become dangerous. Make the decision to be tested with a healthcare provider, based on your age, health, family history, race, and personal preferences. 

6. An abnormal screening result is not a cancer diagnosis.

If a PSA level or examination raises concern, a provider may repeat the PSA test or recommend imaging, such as an MRI. A prostate biopsy—removing small tissue samples for examination—is typically required to confirm cancer. 

If cancer is found, providers consider its stage, PSA level, and Grade Group or Gleason score to determine how likely it is to grow or spread. This information helps the patient and care team select the most appropriate approach. 

7. THE GOOD NEWS: Finding prostate cancer early can make a life-saving difference.

The outlook for prostate cancer is excellent when it is detected before it spreads. The five-year relative survival rate is nearly 100% for cancer that is localized to the prostate or has spread only to nearby areas. Once it has spread to distant parts of the body, the survival rate falls below 40%. 

Treatment depends on the cancer’s stage and aggressiveness, as well as the patient’s age, overall health, and preferences. Options may include active surveillance, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies. Some slow-growing cancers can be safely monitored rather than treated immediately.  

Remember, prostate cancer does not always present with symptoms. This September, take a simple but important step: learn your family history and talk with a trusted healthcare provider about your personal risk. 

Call HEAL at 404.564.7749 today to schedule an appointment and discuss whether prostate cancer screening is right for you.