Why prostate cancer screening is the best Valentine's Day gift for the man you love

Dr. David Samadi wants men and their families to know that the best way to beat back prostate cancer is to screen for the disease

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Would you like to make this Valentine's Day extra special for the man you love? Instead of a gift card or another box of chocolates, give him the gift of life by scheduling a prostate cancer screening.

Prostate cancer ? the silent killer

Prostate cancer has the unfortunate distinction of being the second leading cause of cancer diagnosed in American men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men as well.1 It's true that prostate cancer, sometimes called the silent killer, often grows slowly yet quietly with few if any symptoms. As a result, it's not unusual for men to die with prostate cancer instead of from it. However, prostate cancers can become aggressive, spreading beyond the prostate glands' boundaries, threatening a man's life.

That's why prostate screening is critical to catching this disease at an early, more treatable stage before it advances or spreads. When found early, before it metastasizes beyond the confines of the prostate gland, prostate cancer is highly treatable, with a 99 percent survival rate, which is incredible.2 I want men to know that the odds of this happening are significantly increased when men get screened for prostate cancer beginning at age 40 and yearly from then on.
Men, who skip prostate cancer screenings believing prostate cancer won't happen to them, are tempting fate. Why take this risk when there are reliable screening tools for detecting the disease early?

What is prostate cancer screening?

Prostate cancer screening is a quick and simple blood test done at a doctor's office and a vital tool for detecting this disease. The screening test is called a PSA test which stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein found mainly in semen and made by both noncancerous and cancerous cells of the prostate gland. Tiny amounts of this protein are released into the bloodstream.

Unfortunately, beginning in 2014, due to changes made in prostate cancer screening recommendations, the incidence of prostate cancer in the United States has increased by 3% each year and almost 5% per year for more deadly advanced-stage prostate cancer.3

As a urologist caring for men with prostate cancer, this is a huge concern. My goal has always been to educate men and their loved ones about this terrible disease, helping save more men's lives. Accurate prostate health information for men is crucial. When men are knowledgeable about and understand the risk factors associated with prostate cancer, instead of feeling scared, I want them to feel equipped with the awareness of what they can and can't control. From there, the goal is to inspire men to schedule yearly prostate cancer screenings and make positive lifestyle changes to help reduce their risk.

I've had the privilege of treating men with prostate cancer worldwide. Unfortunately, many men are often reluctant to see a doctor, especially for urological symptoms that may indicate prostate cancer. These symptoms may include a weak urine stream, pain or burning when urinating, or seeing blood in the urine. But, these same symptoms may not be prostate cancer. Instead, they could be noncancerous problems such as an enlarged prostate known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or from prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate. However, the only way to know for sure is to see a urologist for a definitive diagnosis. If it's prostate cancer, hopefully, it's still contained within the prostate gland and has not spread to lymph nodes or bones, making treatment more challenging.

Bottom line

If the man you love has concerns about screening for prostate cancer, encourage him to talk to their urologist. Then, go with him to the appointment so you can learn yourself why taking this necessary test is essential for keeping him healthy.

In conclusion, the key to preventing or catching prostate cancer early is preventive care by screening for the disease. So, make this Valentine's Day a show of love for your man, convincing him to put his health needs first starting with scheduling a PSA test. That way, you can increase the odds of celebrating many more future Valentine's Days together, thanks to having a healthy prostate.

References
1). American Cancer Society Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer 2023
2). American Cancer Society Survival Rates for Prostate Cancer 2023
3). American Cancer Society. Facts & Figures 2023.

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Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men's Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He's a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi's Guide to Men's Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi's websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.

Media Contact

Dr. David Samadi, Madison Urologty, 212-365-5000, [email protected]

SOURCE Dr. David Samadi-Robotics Oncology