Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Prevention, Symptoms and Diagnosis

September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and Los Alamos Medical Center is shining a light on the most common cancer diagnosed in men, after skin cancer. It is also the second-leading cause of cancer-related death, after lung cancer.

The cancer begins in the prostate gland, a small organ that helps produce semen. While many cases grow slowly and may not cause serious harm, others can be aggressive and require treatment.

William Mustas, Physician Assistant at Los Alamos Urology, answers questions about prostate cancer and discusses the best way to detect it early, when it is the most treatable.

Prostate cancer accounts for about 1 in 3 cancer diagnoses in men. The prostate is a small gland below the bladder that produces fluid for semen. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause serious harm, but some can be aggressive.

Who is at higher risk?

• Men over age 50
• Black/African American men (who have roughly twice the risk)
• Men with a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Men with certain inherited gene changes (such as BRCA2)

What are the symptoms?

Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms at all. That’s why screening matters. Some men may notice difficulty urinating or frequent nighttime urination, but these symptoms are more commonly caused by a non-cancerous enlarged prostate.

How is it screened?

Screening is done with a simple PSA blood test, sometimes combined with a physical exam. The test looks for a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is made by the prostate and can be found in your blood.

Everyone with a prostate has some PSA in their blood. But if the level is higher than normal, it could be a sign that something is wrong. That doesn’t always mean cancer — it could be caused by other things like an infection, benign enlargement or just getting older. Still, a high PSA level can be a warning sign that needs more attention.

The key point: talk to your doctor about whether screening is right for you. This is called “shared decision-making” — you and your doctor weigh the benefits and risks together.

What do the results mean?

There’s no “perfect” PSA number. In general:

• Low PSA is usually good.
• High PSA might mean cancer — but not always.

Other things like age, recent exercise or even sex can affect your PSA level. That’s why doctors look at the whole picture, not just the number.

When to start the conversation:

• Age 50 for most men
• Age 45 if you are Black/African American or have a close family member diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65
• Age 40 if you have multiple close relatives with prostate cancer
• How often? Every 1 to 4 years, depending on your PSA level and risk factors. Your doctor will help determine the right schedule for you.

Is the PSA test the only test you need?

If your PSA level is high, your doctor may suggest more tests, such as:

• A Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): A doctor checks the prostate for lumps or abnormalities.
• Imaging Tests: MRI may provide a clearer picture of the prostate.
• Additional blood or urine tests: These can help further understand the risk when an abnormal PSA level is caused by cancer.
• A biopsy: If cancer is suspected based on these tests or an MRI, a small sample of prostate tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

Prevention: What Can You Do?

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer, certain lifestyle choices may help lower your risk:

• Stay active: Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and supports overall health.
• Eat a balanced diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may reduce risk. Limit high-fat dairy and red meat.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking is linked to many cancers and quitting can improve your overall health.
• Know your family history: Men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer are at higher risk.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice from your physician.