Welcome to the first of our “below the belt” series, where we’ll be debunking myths about urological conditions. This month, in honor of Movember, let’s address three common misconceptions about prostate cancer.
#1: Prostate cancer only occurs in older men.
False. Although it’s more likely for men over 65 to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, 35 percent of men with prostate cancer are younger than 65, mostly in their 50s but some even in their 40s. That’s why screening is so important, especially for men who have a family history of the disease.
#2: Prostate cancer isn’t deadly.
This is not true, even though the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death, behind lung cancer. Many forms of prostate cancer are slow growing and don’t show symptoms until they’ve developed into more advanced stages.
#3: Men who aren’t experiencing symptoms don’t need to worry about being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is often asymptomatic and, even when symptoms are present, they can be mistaken for other conditions. Evidence of prostate cancer is usually found during a routine physical exam, another reason that men should be proactive in seeing their doctor and getting screened.
What else are you interested in learning about prostate cancer? We want to hear it—tell us on Twitter @CookUro.