Faith Community Health System encourages men to know their risk and talk with their medical provider

During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Faith Community Health System (FCHS) is encouraging men to take an important step for their health by talking with their medical provider about prostate cancer, their individual risk and whether screening is appropriate for them.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, but it may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. That makes regular conversations with a medical provider especially important, according to Aaron Purdy, M.D, Family Practice Medicine, with Faith Community Health System.

“Men sometimes wait until something feels wrong before making an appointment, but prostate cancer can develop without obvious warning signs,” Purdy said. “A wellness visit gives us an opportunity to look at the whole picture, including age, family history, overall health and whether prostate cancer screening should be considered.”

Current American Cancer Society recommendations emphasize informed decision-making rather than a one-size-fits-all screening schedule. Men at average risk should begin discussing the benefits and possible limitations of prostate cancer screening with their medical provider at age 50. Men at higher risk, including African American men and men with a father or brother who developed prostate cancer before age 65, should begin that conversation at age 45. Men at even higher risk because of a strong family history may need to begin the discussion at age 40.

Screening commonly begins with a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test. How often testing should be repeated depends on a patient’s PSA level, health history and other individual factors.

“The important thing is not to assume that every man needs exactly the same testing on exactly the same schedule,” Dr. Purdy said. “Talk with your medical provider, understand your personal risk and make the decision together.”

While prostate cancer may cause no symptoms early on, men should also talk with their medical provider if they experience changes such as difficulty starting or stopping urination, a weak or interrupted urine stream, frequent urination, blood in the urine or semen, or persistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis. These symptoms can have many causes other than prostate cancer, but they should be evaluated rather than ignored.

If prostate cancer is detected, treatment depends on several factors, including how early the cancer is found, whether it has spread, the patient’s age and general health, and how aggressive the cancer appears to be. Treatment options can range from careful monitoring for some slow-growing cancers to surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and other treatments.

“Men should not be embarrassed to bring up prostate health,” Dr. Purdy said. “This is a routine health conversation, and it is one that can help patients make informed decisions before symptoms become a concern.”

Faith Community Health System encourages men who are due for a wellness exam, have questions about prostate cancer screening or have noticed changes in their health to schedule an appointment with a medical provider at one of its four Rural Health Clinics. Call the Alvord Rural Health Clinic at 940-427-2858, Bowie Rural Health Clinic at 940-872-1121, Graham Rural Health Clinic at 940-282-2512 or Jacksboro Rural Health Clinic at 940-567-5528.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that taking care of your health can begin with something as simple as a conversation with your local medical provider.