Am I At Risk?

Who is at risk for prostate cancer?

One in six men in North America will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. However, not all men die because of the cancer. In fact, the majority die with the cancer, rather than from it. Between 1 in 4 to 1 in 7 men die from the cancer; the younger the man, the greater the risk of dying from the disease. On the good news side, the mortality rate from prostate cancer is falling in recent years in North America. These facts dictate how doctors approach the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer in its early stages has no symptoms. This is why it is important for men to see their doctor for annual check-ups. The most important tools in diagnosing the disease are: digital rectal exam (DRE), and prostate specific antigen (PSA), a blood test. Early detection is very important, as the earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chances of cure.

There are some factors that increase the risk. A family history of prostate cancer increases the risk from 100% to 1000%, depending on the relationship to a relative with the disease. Also, a family history of breast or colon (bowel) cancer increases the risk. The risk is higher in African-Americans than Caucasians, and lower in Asian races. High fat diets and a diet high in calcium and red meat have also been shown to increase the risk. Many men who develop prostate cancer have none of these risk factors. Many older men will gradually develop difficulty passing urine. This is because the prostate enlarges as men age, and restricts the water passage. It is very rare that these symptoms are from cancer.

Click on the arrow below to view a 12 minute video:

Prostate Cancer: What you need to Know

This video was produced by the Calgary Health Region and the Prostate Cancer Centre and presenting Calgary physicians.