September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

An estimated 27,900 men in Canada are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, the Canadian Cancer Society is reporting during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men, with one in eight expected to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.

Prostate cancer starts in prostate cells and is one of the least preventable cancers, making advancements in prostate cancer treatment so important, the Canadian Cancer Society notes. Risks that increase your chances of developing prostate cancer include family history, Black ethnicity and obesity. The risk for prostate cancer increases as men get older. The chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is greater after age 50. Prostate cancer is most often diagnosed in men in their 60s.

The best ways to find prostate cancer early are to recognize symptoms and have a personal plan for testing if you have a higher risk. Common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include changes in bladder habits, blood in the urine or semen and painful ejaculation. Tests such as digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and prostate biopsy can be used to diagnose or rule out prostate cancer.

You can help save and improve lives by making a donation to fund groundbreaking research to better detect and treat prostate cancer. You can also create your own fundraiser.