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Prostate Cancer:
More Common than You Think
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Join us in September at Methodist Sugar
Land Hospital’s Cancer Center for free
prostate screenings. Prostate-specific
antigen blood tests and digital rectal
exams (DRE) will be available on the
following dates:
- September 4, 5 and 6
from 4 to 8 p.m.
- September 8 from 8 a.m.
to 1 p.m.
Schedule your appointment by calling
866-735-6165.
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Chances are good that you know
a guy who has had, or will
have, prostate cancer. Prostate
cancer is the second-leading cancer in
men, behind skin cancer. More than
218,000 U.S. men will be diagnosed
this year, and one in six men will be
diagnosed at some point in their lives.
Fortunately, when detected and treated
early, prostate cancer has a better than
90 percent cure rate.
Many men feel awkward talking about
personal health matters with their
family members, friends or physicians,
but awareness of prostate cancer can
help reduce its threat.
What Is the Prostate?
The prostate gland is about the size of a
walnut and is located under the bladder.
The gland helps produce semen and is
found only in men. "The prostate grows
as a man reaches maturity and is maintained at adult size for as long as
male hormones are being produced,"
explains T.M. Hughes, III, M.D., urologist
on staff at Methodist Sugar Land
Hospital. "Sometimes the prostate
continues to grow over time around the
urethra, the tube that carries urine. This
causes urinary outflow blockage,
disrupting normal urinary habits. This
can simply be the result of an enlarged
prostate or it could be a sign of cancer."
A man's odds of being diagnosed
with prostate cancer increase as he
ages; about 65 percent of all prostate
cancers are diagnosed in men over
age 65. Also at higher risk are African-
American men and men who have had
one or more relatives with a history of
prostate cancer.
Get with the Program
The American Cancer Society suggests
that all men over age 50 should be
screened annually, and men at high
risk, such as African-Americans and/or
men with a family history of prostate
cancer, are encouraged to begin screenings
as early as 40 to 45. Talk to your
physician about when you should
begin having a prostate-specific antigen
(PSA) screening and a digital rectal
exam (DRE).
As with many cancers, early detection
of prostate cancer and a variety of
treatment options offer the best
chance of a successful outcome.
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"Regular screenings can help detect a
problem early, before symptoms appear,"
explains T.M. Hughes, III, M.D. In addition,
Dr. Hughes recommends consulting your
physician if you experience any of the
following warning signs:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially
at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding
back urine
- Painful burning or irritation during
urination
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower
back, hips or upper thighs
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