Prostate Cancer Awareness: What You Should Know

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Get answers to common questions, debunk myths and learn about risk factors from Lester Borden, MD, in this 2 Your Well-Being discussion with WFMY News 2.

How common is prostate cancer?

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with over 260,000 men diagnosed per year. It's also the second leading cause of cancer death in men, with about 35,000 men expected to die from prostate cancer this year alone. That being said, as long as it's diagnosed in an early stage, prostate cancer is very treatable and highly curable.”

What factors increase your risk of prostate cancer?

“Like most cancers, prostate cancer is more common as men age. About 1 out of 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime, which is very similar to what we see in breast cancer in women. But there are certain men who are at a higher risk, and this would include any man with a first degree relative – such as a father, brother or uncle who has had prostate cancer – as well as black men, who may not only have a higher risk of prostate cancer, but also are potentially at a higher risk for more aggressive prostate cancer.”

While there isn’t a way to prevent prostate cancer, are there things you can do to reduce your risk?

“I typically tell patients that a heart-healthy lifestyle is also a prostate-healthy lifestyle. So there’s no one thing that men can necessarily do to prevent prostate cancer, but they certainly may improve their chances by eating a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting or avoiding tobacco and alcohol use, and maintaining an appropriate body weight – many of the things that we all know to do and need to be doing better anyways.”

Learn more by watching the full video interview above.