Dr. Ahmed Mansour explains the importance of men getting screened to catch any signs of developing prostate cancer early and take preventative action in this Wear the Gown segment.
Prostate Cancer Is Treatable
One in six men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer develops in the glands of the prostate in men and is common. The good news is that prostate cancer has one of the highest survival rates of all cancers.
“It is most likely that prostate cancer that is diagnosed is most likely an indolent, slowly growing cancer that has a low chance of spreading outside the prostate,” said Dr. Mansour, a urologist at University Health.
“We don’t know exactly what causes prostate cancer, but we do know there are risks for developing it,” Dr. Mansour said.
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
Those with a higher risk of prostate cancer:
- Men of older age
- African American men, who are 75% more likely to develop the disease and twice as likely to die from it
- Those with a high fat, high carb diet
- Men who are obese
- Those with a family history
“If you have a first degree relative with prostate cancer, there’s a high chance you will develop it,” Dr. Mansour said. “About 40% of prostate cancers are related to inherited genes."
Get Screened for Prostate Cancer
In 2018, the United States Preventative Task Force said selective prostate screening should begin at age 55 and continue through 69. The potential benefits and harms should be discussed with your clinician.
For those age 70 and over, prostate cancer screening is not recommended. For those at a higher risk, screenings are recommended between 40 and 45 years of age.
Preventive Care at University Health
Learn about preventive and primary care at University Health on our website.
