September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know?

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men;
• One in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime;
• Over 90% of prostate cancer cases are curable if detected and treated in their earliest stages

 
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

• Difficulty urinating
• Urgent need to urinate
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Burning or pain when urinating
• Inability to urinate or difficulty starting or stopping urine flow
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in the urine or semen

Risk Factors
While any man can develop prostate cancer, you may be at a high risk if you are…

• Over 50: Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. Your risk increases starting at age 50, and most cases are diagnosed in men over age 65. Depending on your risk, your health care provider may recommend that you think about testing at an earlier age – as young as 40.
• Have a family history of prostate cancer: Your risk is higher if a first-degree relative (father or brother) has had prostate cancer. Your risk increases with each additional first-degree relative who has the disease.
• African or Caribbean: Prostate cancer is more common among men in these ethnic groups. (Men of Asian descent have lower risk.)

Don’t Ignore Symptoms
The sooner symptoms are reported to your health care provider, the sooner testing to help diagnose and treat the problem can begin.  Symptoms may be caused by prostate cancer or by another health problem.
Symptoms are not always present especially in the early stages of prostate cancer.  If detected and treated in its earliest stages, the chances of survival are greatly increased.  Early detection is key! 
 
Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future!