Prostate cancer tends to strike men in greater numbers as they age. Many men may be unknowingly living with the disease. Although the exact cause of the disease still remains a mystery, numerous studies have established clear risk factors. The following is a survey that may help you decide if you should consider getting screened for prostate cancer. Note that all health concerns should be discussed with your physician.
Please answer all questions.
Prostate Cancer Self-Risk Assessment Explanations
Below are explanations for the questions and answers in this assessment.
1. Are you African American?
Not only are African American men more likely to develop prostate cancer
than Hispanic, European American or Asian American men, they are also more
likely to die of the disease.
Yes The rate of prostate cancer in African American men is about double that of the general U.S. population. Black men are more likely to develop the cancer at an earlier age and have aggressive, fast-growing tumors. Prostate cancer is rare in Africa, suggesting that environmental factors may be responsible for this racial difference.
No Studies of Asian, Hispanic and European American men have not shown any positive correlation between race and an increased risk for prostate cancer.
2. Did three or more men in your immediate family (brothers, father) develop prostate cancer?
The more relatives you have with prostate cancer, the more likely you are to develop it yourself.
Yes Men with at least one brother or father who had prostate cancer also face a significant risk for developing the disease.
No Without a strong hereditary link, your risk of developing prostate cancer is significantly lower.
3. Do you have two relatives under 55 years of age who have developed prostate cancer?
Yes Men who have had relatives stricken with prostate cancer are at the highest risk for developing prostate cancer, especially those shoes relatives developed it at an early age.
No Without this hereditary link, your risk of developing prostate cancer is significantly lower.
4. Are you of North American or Northwestern European descent?
Yes Prostate cancer is most common in North America and Northwestern Europe.
No Prostate cancer is less common in Asia, Africa, Central America and South America. The reason for this is not well understood, but we do know that it is not related to better screening techniques in certain areas. For example, Chinese men in Los Angeles have one-fifth the prostate cancer risk of white men in the US population.
5. Did your mother or sister develop
breast or ovarian cancer?
Scientists are discovering a genetic link between breast and ovarian
cancer and prostate cancer within families.
Yes The risk for prostate cancer is higher in men whose mother or sister had either cancer.
No Without this link, you have no additional hereditary likelihood of developing prostate cancer.
6. How old are you?
The risk of developing clinically significant prostate cancer increases
with age.
39 or younger Life-threatening prostate cancer rarely strikes men younger than 40. In this age group, the probability of developing clinically significant prostate cancer is less than 1 in 10,000.
40 to 49 If you have a family history of the disease, your chances of developing clinically significant prostate cancer increases during this decade. The risk factor for men in this age group increases significantly, especially for men who face other risk factors.
50 or older Although the average age for men diagnosed with prostate cancer is above
60 studies have shown that about 30 percent of men older than 50 have at least microscopic evidence of prostate cancer. For men older than 90, about 90 percent have microscopic evidence of prostate cancer. This microscopic evidence, however, does not mean the cancer will become a health risk.
7. Do you eat a high-fat, animal protein
based diet?
Research is accumulating to indicate that diet may play a role in the development
of prostate cancer.
Yes Although the evidence is not clear-cut, studies have shown there may be a link between a diet heavy in animal fat and the development of prostate cancer. This link has been strengthened by research indicating that men who emigrate from areas of low prostate cancer risk, such as Asia, to areas of higher risk, such as North America, develop a higher risk if they adopt their new homeland's dietary practices.
No Plant-based diets appear to play a role in protecting men from this disease.
How did you score?
Score: 0-4 Risk: Low
Explanation: Men in this group face little risk of developing prostate
cancer. However, changes in behavior or age may result in an increased risk
for developing prostate cancer. Men in this group should also monitor any
symptoms that may point to possible prostate cancer (or other noncancerous
conditions), including changes in bladder functions, pain or burning during
urination, or the appearance of blood during urination.
Score: 5-8 Risk: Moderate
Explanation: Men in this category face a moderate risk for developing
prostate cancer, which may increase with age. The American Cancer Society,
American Urological Association and National Comprehensive Cancer Network
recommend that all men 50 and older who have a life expectancy of at least
10 years consider having an annual prostate cancer screening. Men in this
group can improve their chances of avoiding prostate cancer by modifying
risk-inducing behaviors and should discuss any possible concerns with their
physician.
Score: 9 and above Risk: High
Explanation: Men in this category are at the highest risk for developing
prostate cancer, and are advised to discuss their medical history with their
primary care physician, and consider screening for prostate cancer via a
digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.
The American Cancer Society, American Urological Association and National
Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend that all men 50 and older who have
a life expectancy of at least 10 years consider having an annual prostate
cancer screening. Men in this group are advised to discuss prostate cancer
and possible testing with their doctor.