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Help Us Raise Awareness and Early Detection for Prostate Cancer Since the 1990s the number of deaths from prostate cancer has declined, and if found early the disease can very likely be cured. No one knows exactly what causes prostate cancer, and seldom can doctors explain why one man develops the disease and another does not. Research has proven that men with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop prostate cancer. However, since the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, prostate cancer is being detected and treated earlier, before it can spread to other tissues. The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the more easily it can be treated. Two tests used to detect prostate cancer in the absence of any symptoms are the rectal exam and the PSA test. The strongest risk factor is age. Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 45, however, the chance of getting it goes up sharply as a man ages. Also, a man's risk of getting prostate cancer is higher than average if his father or brother has had the disease. Many people do not realize it, but prostate cancer is more common in African American men, and less common in Asian and American Indian men. There are over 232,090 men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, and about 30,350 of these men die from the disease. Again, if detected early, prostate cancer is often treatable, if not likely cured. One in six men is at a lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer. A man whose close relative has prostate cancer has double the risk of getting the disease. With two close relatives, his risk is five-fold, and with three close relatives having the disease, the chance increases to 97%. Every five minutes two men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. African American males have a prostate cancer incidence rate up to 60% higher than white males and double the death rate of white males. Every 100 minutes an African American male dies from prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Prostate Cancer is mainly found in men 55 or over with an average age of 70 at the time of diagnosis. The majority of deaths from prostate cancer are related to advanced disease with metastases -- meaning the cancer has spread to other organs, bones and lymph nodes. Early-stages of prostate cancer may not have any obvious sings or symptoms, or may cause symptoms that can be mistaken for other disorders. In most cases, prostate cancer is not detected until it has spread outside of the prostate and begin to cause noticeable symptoms some of which are: These are just a few statistics and symptoms associated with prostate cancer. It only takes picking up the phone and making a yearly doctor's appointment to be checked. Getting regular checkups each year, avoiding diets high in fat and exercising regularly is a good start to prevention. Again, if caught in time you can help save your loved one. If you have or are experiencing any of the symptoms above please see your doctor and get checked so as to rule out the possibility of prostate cancer as the life you save may be your own. Ronnie said many times during his five year battle with advanced prostate cancer that he wished he had gotten regular checkups. He loved life with a passion, and it was really hard on him the last four years. He was lucky in one respect, as when first diagnosed Duke University gave him one year at best. Yet, Ronnie managed to fight it six months shy of five years, but it was a difficult battle for him. Ronnie refused to give up, and fought till the bitter end. Please in Memory of Ronnie, will you help us spread the word about Awareness and Early Detection of this disease. Thank you. Diane Sox For more information on prostate cancer, please visit www.cancer.org |