The Facts on Prostate Cancer
By Paul Manuszak, M.D.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer (excluding skin cancers) in American men, affecting roughly 1 in 6. However, when detected early, recovery chances are very high. Learn the facts and find out what you or a loved one can do to help prevent prostate cancer.

Risk Factors
No one knows what causes prostate cancer, but some men are at greater risk. These include men who:

• Are over the age of 50.
• Are African-American.
• Have a family history of prostate cancer.
• Eat a diet high in fat.
• Have high testosterone levels.

Signs and Symptoms
Most of the time, there are no noticeable symptoms, but any of the following issues should be discussed with a physician:

• Pain or burning while urinating.
• Starting and stopping while urinating.
• Decreased force in the urine stream.
• Blood in the urine or semen.
• Discomfort in the pelvic area.
• Swelling in the legs and thighs.

Prevention
Since there are usually no noticeable symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer, regular check-ups are extremely important. These include:

• A digital rectal exam, which is a physical exam that detects abnormalities in the texture, shape, or size of the prostate gland.
• The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which is a blood test that checks for high PSA levels.

Prostate cancer often grows slowly, so if it is detected early when it is still confined to the prostate gland, there is a better chance of successful treatment.

Dr. Paul Manuszak is an oncologist / hematologist at North Canton Medical Foundation Cancer Center. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call 330-438-6333.