September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month How Much Do You Know About the Disease? Prostate cancer affects more people than breast cancer does: One in six men will get prostate cancer; compared with one in eight women who get breast cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer has been declining steadily by 4 percent every year since 1993; primarily due to using PSA levels and detecting and treating the cancer early. However, according to the American Cancer Society, 241,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Still, it is often treatable if it is detected early. Who Is at Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer? While the cause of prostate cancer is unknown, there are several risk factors to keep in mind. Men who are obese or eat a high-fat diet, smokers, and those with a family history of prostate cancer are at an increased risk. Also, men over the age of 60 and those of African American descent have increased risks. What Steps Can Be Taken to Prevent Prostate Cancer? Physicians recommend that men start getting annual screenings starting at age 50 with none of the above risk factors; others should consider starting screenings earlier based on family history and general health status. Ultimately, it’s all about early detection and yearly check-ups. The Nevada Regional Medical Center Foundation will be providing a free PSA screening Thursday, September 29th, from 3-6 pm in the Mezzanine Conference Room. In conjunction with the screening, there will be a Men’s Health Fair with information on the top five health risks for men. Registration is required and can be made by calling the Community Education office, 448-3622.