Abate: Know your risk of prostate cancer | The life of the lake



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Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men, behind lung cancer. Statistics show that one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. In addition to skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men.

Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, more than 2.9 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive.

Research has shown that several factors can affect the risk of prostate cancer in humans. A risk factor is anything that affects a person's chances of getting an illness or disease such as cancer. Age is a common risk factor and, although prostate cancer is rare in men under 40, the risk of prostate cancer increases rapidly after the age of 50.

Race / ethnicity is another key risk factor. Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than men of other races. African-American men are also twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as Caucasian men. Prostate cancer is less common among men of Asian-American and Hispanic / Latino origin than among non-Hispanics. The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences are unclear.

Prostate cancer seems to be spreading in some families, suggesting that in some cases there may be an inherited or genetic factor. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles the risk of developing this disease. The risk is significantly higher for men with multiple affected parents, especially if their loved ones were young at the time of cancer discovery.

Men should be well informed about their risk of developing the disease and have the opportunity to make an informed decision about whether testing is appropriate for them. Men have an interest in discussing the benefits and side effects of screening and treatment.

4:30 pm – 7:00 pm On Tuesday, September 25, prostate cancer screening will be held at Auburn Community Hospital. Men aged 45 and over with limited or no health insurance are eligible for this free screening event. In addition, home-based test kits for colorectal cancer (men 50 years and older), diabetes tests and blood pressure checks will be offered. Eligible men must register no later than September 24th. Please call the Cayuga County Cancer Services Program at (315) 253-1455 to register for this free event!

Kimberly Abate is the Senior Public Health Educator for the Cayuga County Health Department and the coordinator of the Cayuga County Cancer Services Program.

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