September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, except for skin cancer. According to cancercare.net, in 2019, an estimated 174,650 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Approximately 60% of cases are diagnosed in men over 65. The average age of diagnosis is 66; the disease rarely occurs before age 40. For unknown reasons, the risk of prostate cancer is about 60% higher in black men than in white men.

The Cancer Care Alliance says advanced prostate cancer symptoms may include:
Weak or interrupted flow of urine
Urinating often (especially at night)
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Pain or burning during urination
Difficulty getting or sustaining an erection (impotence)
Painful ejaculation
Blood in the urine or semen
Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
Men need to schedule an appointment with a urologist as soon as possible. The required blood test and prostate exam are painless. As with any cancer, early detection can be life-saving.