“One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and one in 4,000 will be diagnosed with testicular cancer,” said Maj. Toby Lees, 88th Medical Group medical director of urology.
Lees said prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among men, and the chances increase to one in five for African American men and one in three if there is a family history of prostate cancer. Approximately 180,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.
Early in its stages, it is rare to have symptoms of prostate cancer, but any symptoms with urinary or sexual function might indicate the need for a referral to a urologist to discuss these issues. Obesity is a risk factor for higher risk prostate cancer.
Lees recommends that at age 50, men should have a conversation with their doctor about testing for prostate specific antigen. African Americans or those with a family history of prostate cancer should begin screening at 45.
Screening for PSA is a blood test, which is sensitive but not specific to prostate cancer. This means that an elevation does not necessarily mean someone has cancer however an elevated PSA would prompt a referral to a urologist.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, and although there is a 95 percent chance of survival, the number of those who are being diagnosed with testicular cancer has been increasing over the past 40 years. Risk factors are an undescended testicle at birth, a family history or having had testicular cancer on one side previously. A lump in the testicle is the most common presenting complaint.
“Men ages 20 to 40 should be performing self-exams in the shower weekly to evaluate for any abnormalities within the testicles,” said Lees. “Self-exams are the best way to detect testicular cancer so if you feel something abnormal on exam, ask your doctor about it.”
Discussing prostate and testicular screenings can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss, and Lees said it is natural to fear the unknown and stresses screenings can detect cancers earlier.
“When we talk about the prostate it’s not an area of the body gentlemen like to think about,” said Lees. “However it does serve a purpose physiologically for reproduction and with the incidence of prostate cancer being one in seven men, you are not alone in wondering whether to be screened or not but screening could save your life.”
Lees advises that a discussion with your physician about the risks of over-screening is warranted in a population younger than 50 or without urologic symptoms.
“Urologists devote their careers to management of men’s health and these areas specifically,” said Lees. “If you have questions don’t be afraid to request a referral to speak to urology about these or other men’s health topics.”
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