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September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness month. This annual observance aims to raise awareness about prostate cancer, its risk factors, prevention strategies, the importance of early detection, and to generate support for those affected by the disease.
In addition to raising awareness about the disease, the Rockbridge Area Health Center reminds all men to make their health a priority, especially if health check-ups were delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with underlying health conditions who have postponed health care visits is a particular concern.
Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society’s 2023 estimates for the disease in the U.S. are about 288,300 new cases and about 34,700 deaths. It is also the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the U.S. behind only lung cancer. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime and about 1 in 41 will die from the disease.
There may be no signs of symptoms in its early stages and the best way to detect prostate cancer is through screenings. When detected early – when it’s still confined to the prostate gland – there is a better chance of successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends screenings for men age 50 who are at an average risk of prostate cancer, men age 45 who are at high risk of developing the disease – this includes African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with the disease at age 65 or younger, and at age 40 for men at an even higher risk who have more than one firstdegree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age.
Nearly 3 million men in the U.S. count themselves as prostate cancer survivors. “Regular health exams and screenings for the disease can help find problems in the early stages,” said an RAHC spokesperson.
“Annual wellness visits are essential to maintaining good health and the earlier most diseases are diagnosed, the more likely they can be the cured or successfully managed.”
RAHC’s physicians and providers offer a full spectrum of health care services to men, women, and children in all stages of life, regardless of insurance status or income.
For more information about RAHC’s medical, dental, or behavioral health care services, call (540) 464-8700 or visit rockahc.org.
Editor’s note: This commentary was provided by RAHC. Anyone who got behind in their screenings for cancer or any other routine medical checkups during the pandemic should make a point of getting caught up. RAHC is an excellent resource in our community to access all of these medical services. There is no reason to postpone health care checkups any longer.
We should also note that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women are advised to follow their doctors’ advice on when to get mammograms. About 264,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from it every year in the United States.
Men can also get breast cancer – about 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. is found in a man. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women.
