September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death of men, second only to lung cancer. In 2020 alone, there will be nearly 192,000 new cases diagnosed and more than 33,000 deaths. Prostate cancer does not mean life is over though. More than 3.1 million men in the US have been diagnosed with prostate cancer who are still alive today. Dr. William Hook, a family medicine doctor with OSF Healthcare says that prostate cancer tends to be more aggressive in younger men.

African-American men along with men who have a family history of prostate cancer tend to have a greater risk of prostate cancer. Dr. Hook says that symptoms vary from person to person but can include difficulty urinating, slow starting, or week flow of urine, or frequent urination, especially at night.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all men make an informed decision about the pros and cons of testing for prostate cancer starting at the age of 50. If there is a family history, you should talk to your local doctor about testing earlier.

As far as treatment for prostate cancer goes, many options are available including surgery, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

For more information on cancer care, contact your local physician.