Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. The good news is that prostate cancer is very curable. As with any cancer, the outcome is always better if it is caught early. Prostate cancer is associated with aging and men are deemed more susceptible the older they are. Catching prostate cancer early is the best way for a man to increase their chances of survival and that involves knowing the symptoms and seeing a doctor regularly.

When prostate cancer is caught early a man has almost a 100% chance of survival. The symptoms of prostate cancer may not show up during the early stages. That is why getting a regular prostate exam is important. The exam can be done as part of a routine physical and is painless and easy to do. The prostate is a small gland that is located under the bladder. When cancer enlarges the prostate a man can experience: problems with urination, signs of blood in the urine, and back pain. These symptoms can also be from an enlarged prostate which is not life threatening. This is why seeing a doctor on a regualr basis is so important. When a man reaches age 50 it is recommended by the American Cancer Society that they be screened yearly. Men at higher risk are African American and have family history of the disease. Treatment includes a variety of procedures from surgery to hormone therapy.

Prostate cancer can be fatal, but it does not have to be. It is the most curable of all known cancers and by catching it early a man increases the chance he will walk away cancer free. By knowing the symptoms and getting regular exams a man can catch prostate cancer early. It is imperative that every man understands the importance of catching prostate cancer early.