Top twelve facts Dr. David Samadi wants every man to know about prostate cancer
Nov 01, 2023
Ask any man who has survived prostate cancer, “What should men know about this disease,” and they will provide a variety of different answers and opinions. Much of their answers will depend on their experience of fighting and winning this battle, along with advice on how to stay cancer-free.
While every man who beats back prostate cancer has a story to tell, as a surgeon, urologist, and oncologist specializing in prostate cancer for more than twenty years, I’m here to share my advice on what every man must know about this disease.
But how many men know the facts of this disease? Facts that could save their lives simply by knowing statistics about the second most common cancer diagnosed in American men.
Here are the top twelve facts I want men and their loved ones to know about prostate cancer:
1. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), over the course of a man’s lifetime, about 1 man out of 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
2. The ACS estimates that for 2023, 288,300 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer has the distinction of being the number two leading cause of cancer diagnosed in American men.
3. The ACS also estimates that 34,700 men will die from prostate cancer in 2023.
4. Prostate cancer is much more likely to develop in older men past age 50 and non-Hispanic black men. 6 in 10 cases are diagnosed in men 65 and older. The average age of a man diagnosed with prostate cancer is 66.
5. African American men have about a 70% greater likelihood of developing and dying from prostate cancer.
6. It is rare to diagnose prostate cancer in men under age 40.
7. Prostate cancer is a top concern as it’s the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. However, lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in American men. On average, about 1 in 41 men will die from this disease.
8. Prostate cancer is considered a serious disease, yet most men diagnosed with it, will survive.
9. Men have twice the risk of developing the disease if they have a family history of prostate cancer.
10. Most prostate cancer tumors grow slowly, so signs and symptoms are usually not noticed unless it has advances to a later, less treatable stage.
11. Prostate cancer screening, such as using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
12. When diagnosed at an early stage, a man’s chance of surviving prostate cancer is excellent.
In my practice, I will guide men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their families every step of the way. I’m here to reassure them that prostate cancer is a treatable disease with many options for fighting it.
Whether or not a man has prostate cancer or not, I want men to always focus on wellness. Sometimes prostate cancer can be a blessing in disguise. If good health habits were not part of a man’s life before the diagnosis, this could be an excellent time to start keeping themselves well. I advise men to enhance their overall well-being by choosing health-promoting foods and exercising regularly, making each a top priority.
Other good health habits men can adopt are getting adequate sleep, losing weight if necessary, and managing stress. As a result, not only will men feel physically and emotionally better, but they will also gain a sense of control over their lives.
Good things can happen when men take time to care for their health. Now is the time for men to begin habits with the intent of lowering their risk of prostate cancer.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.