Prostate cancer affects over 200,000 men in the United States every year. Often, the disease goes unnoticed, which is why screening is very important. The disease has a 90% cure rate, which is excellent, but the key to surviving prostate cancer is early detection and treatment. Age is perhaps the biggest risk factor when it comes to prostate cancer. The older you are, the higher your risk, which is why testing is very important for men over 60 especially. Over 65% of men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer were over 65 years old. In addition, African American males are more prone to prostate cancer. In addition, any men whose fathers or even grandfathers have ever been diagnosed with prostate cancer are twice as likely to get the disease as those who were not. Of course, diet and lifestyle are also very important factors in regards to prostate cancer, just like any other form of cancer or other disease. Not smoking greatly reduces the risk of getting prostate cancer, and a healthy, active lifestyle and balanced diet can also greatly help to reduce the risk. It's important to know the various symptoms of prostate cancer in advance, so that you can be prepared if you think you may have the disease. Some of the most common symptoms include frequent urination, painful urination, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, and stiffness or pain in the thighs and/or lower back. If you experience any of these symptoms, especially frequently, you should consult with your doctor and undergo the appropriate tests as soon as possible.

There are several ways in which men can be diagnosed and tested for prostate cancer. Of course, the most common practice is performing a biopsy. During a biopsy, a small needle is inserted into the tissue of the prostate. This needle will be able to get some cell samples deep within the prostate to help determine whether or not cancer is present. The sample taken from the biopsy will be sent to a laboratory where the cells will be thoroughly tested to see if they are cancerous. X-rays and CT scans are also often used to help detect any cancers. If prostate cancer is caught early, it is usually localized in most cases. This means that the cancer is only located in the prostate and has not spread to other parts of the body. If untreated, prostate cancer can spread, and this can have devastating results on the body. When your doctor determines what stage the disease is in, he or she can then determine what kind of treatment will be needed. Treatment types vary from man to man, so it will be up to the doctor to decide which treatment options will work best. A combination of a urologist and several oncologists will help to decide what the next steps to take will be. It is important to know that most men do in fact survive prostate cancer, and most modern treatments are very effective in eliminating it.