We know! This is not our usual message! At ScreenSafe, we typically focus on mental health, substance misuse and abuse, safety, and drug testing. September is suicide prevention month – but another important issue promoted during September is specifically related to men’s physical health. Today, we are switching gears to talk about a specific aspect of a man’s physical health – prostate health.
Let’s be honest: men are not known for rushing to the doctor when something does not feel right! Often, men do not go to the doctor unless something’s broken, bleeding, or about to fall off, or just hurts too much to ignore. There is one health topic we cannot ignore: prostate cancer. Since many of the organizations and people we work with are in male-dominated industries, we want to heighten awareness of a disease that too often flies under the radar.
According to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation:
- In 2024, an estimated 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed.
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime; that number rises to 1 in 5 for military veterans.
- Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death after lung cancer for men
- Over 3 million men have survived a prostate cancer diagnosis
- If caught early, the 5-year survival rate is over 99%
When caught early, 99% survival – let that sink in! Especially the part about being caught early!
Prostate cancer is sneaky. It usually starts without pain or obvious symptoms. Many men go years without knowing there’s a problem — and that’s exactly why regular screening is so important.
When symptoms do show up, they might look like:
- Urinating often, especially at night
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Painful urination or ejaculation
- Pressure or pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
If any of this sounds familiar, don’t pretend that it is nothing; talk to your doctor.
A simple and powerful tool for detecting prostate cancer is the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test. This test measures a protein made by your prostate. Higher-than-normal levels can be a red flag — but they’re not always a cancer diagnosis. Your doctor will look at your PSA levels over time and decide if further testing is needed.
Important note: Men over 40 should be getting an annual physical, and that physical should include a PSA test. If you’re 50 or older and haven’t had one yet, now is the time.
Action Steps
- Schedule your annual physical and be sure it includes a PSA test
- Pay attention to your body. If something does not feel right, don’t ignore it or pretend that it is nothing.
- Talk openly about your physical and mental health. Your health is your responsibility. Don’t let stigma or embarrassment get in the way
- Get support when you need it! Contact your Employee or Member Assistance Program and speak with a counselor
Resources
- Prostate Cancer Foundation offers patient guides, webinars, online support groups, and stories from prostate cancer patients.
- ZERO Prostate Cancer provides educational materials, local support groups (in-person and virtual), and advocacy resources.
- American Cancer Society features guides on screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and hosts programs specifically for men, including the Man to Man support program.
- Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) helps men research treatment options and understand their condition.