Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States (after skin cancer), with one in nine men developing this potentially dangerous disease. Thankfully, doctors can screen for prostate cancer and intervene quickly, heading off the disease before it spreads.
Here at Male Method, we specialize in men’s sexual health, including the aftermath of prostate cancer treatment, which can bring on problems with erectile dysfunction (ED). To help you stay one step ahead of prostate cancer, we’ve pulled together this primer on understanding the potential warning signs and risk factors.
The signs are largely silent
With any medical problem, early detection and treatment is key, which is certainly true of a potentially dangerous condition like prostate cancer. And with this type of cancer, there are screening tools that play a valuable role in detecting its presence.
And regular screening is, far and away, the best way to check for the early signs of prostate cancer. This disease rarely has any outward symptoms until it’s in the advanced stages.
The reason behind the lack of early signs is that prostate cancer typically presents itself as a tumor on your prostate gland, a small organ located between your bladder and your penis. These tumors are typically slow-growing, and they rarely cause any pain. As the tumor grows, it can cause problems, largely with urination, including:
- Frequent need to urinate
- Painful urination
- Urinary leakage
- Blood in your urine
In rare cases, you may experience pain during ejaculation or feel pressure in your rectum.
Again, the best way to detect prostate cancer in its early, highly treatable stage is through screening. It also helps to know your risk factors.
Are you at risk for prostate cancer?
Many people fall into certain categories that present more of a risk for developing specific cancers, and this is true of prostate cancer. The most common risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age: 6 out of 10 diagnoses are in men over age 65
- Race: Prostate cancer occurs more in African-American men
- Family history of prostate cancer
- Inherited gene mutations
If you fall into any of these risk groups, we underscore the importance of vigilant screening for prostate cancer.
Coping with the aftermath of prostate cancer
If you’re one of the millions of men who’ve been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer, you may be left grappling with sexual function issues. The team at Male Method specializes in tackling ED, giving you back your quality of life once your cancer treatments are complete.
To learn more about dealing with post-treatment ED, please contact us now.
