Do You Know Your Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer?

Posted September 1, 2010, 1:52 pm in Men


Did you know that a man is 35 percent more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than a woman is to be diagnosed with breast cancer? That means prostate cancer is going to affect one in six males in their lifetime. So why aren't men talking about it?

Women have done a wonderful job of highlighting breast cancer. During the month of October, you're going to see pink ribbons everywhere you look. But where are all the blue ribbons this month?

It's something men don't like to talk about. But since September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we will. Here are some facts you need to know, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men.
• Prostate cancer is second only to lung cancer in the number of cancer deaths in men.
• In 2006 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), 203,415 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 28,372 men died from it.
• Not everyone experiences the same symptoms and some men never display any symptoms at all. But some common symptoms include: difficulty in starting urination; weak or interrupted flow of urine; frequent urination, especially at night; pain or burning during urination or ejaculation; and pain in the back, hips or pelvis that doesn't go away.

For much more information on prostate cancer screening and treatments, check out the CDC's page devoted to the disease: www.cdc.gov/features/prostatecancer

Now that you're ready to think and talk about this dangerous -- but highly treatable -- disease, we'd like to introduce you to some men who are proving a diagnosis not only isn't a death sentence, but it could be the beginning of new and healthier life.

Breaking the Silence on the "P" Word
Cancer survivor and cartoonist Sherman Goodrich is taking an honest, and sometimes funny, look at something few men want to discuss. He's written a book called "The P Word ... and How to Use It," and in it, he details his own experiences surviving multiple recurrences of prostate cancer and how he used exercise and healthy living to survive. Find out how he not only battled his cancer but also won the prestigious Body-for-Life Competition, at the age of 70!


A Story for All Men
A group of doctors and their patients lace up their running shoes to join forces for one of the most unusual and effective prostate cancer educational outreaches ever.



Know Your PSA, Save Your Life
Renowned cancer expert Dr. John Langdon offers tips for preventing and diagnosing prostate cancer.




Battling Back Against Cancer
Bob Becker was 57 before he ran his first marathon and he was racking up the miles until a double whammy threatened to end his running career. Find out how he fought back against cancer and still running strong at 62.




Treating Prostate Cancer Without Surgery
Prostate cancer survivor Bob Marckini says he's found a way to treat the disease without surgery. He's so excited about the treatment option that he's written a book about it.




Cancer Can't Slow This Ironman
Bernie Sher is a 68-year-old prostate cancer survivor who competed in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii -- one of the hardest triathlons in the world -- three times and rode across the country with Lance Armstrong as part of the famous cyclist's Tour of Hope.




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