Fact or Fiction: Dissecting Myths About Prostate Cancer

Part of our medical philosophy here at Abraham Family Medicine is that it is incredibly helpful for people to be as knowledgeable about their health and common medical conditions as possible. It can pay massive dividends for people to have a basic understanding of their risk factors in order to seek treatment as quickly as possible in the case of a change in their health. In honor of the upcoming Prostate Cancer Awareness month, our expert healthcare providers thought it would be helpful to debunk a few common myths about prostate cancer.

Myth #1: Only Older Men Are at Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer

This is not true. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, about 1 in 9 men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. There are several prostate cancer risk factors for men to be aware of. Age is certainly one of them, as about 65% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older. However, that also means that the remaining 35% are diagnosed at an earlier age.

Myth #2: The PSA Test is a Prostate Cancer Screening Method

This is a common misconception. While a PSA test is incredibly helpful in detecting irregularities with the prostate, it cannot alone be used to determine if someone has prostate cancer. PSA (or prostate-specific antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate in response to many potential prostate issues, large and small. This includes inflammation, infection (prostatitis), enlargement of the prostate, or prostate cancer in some cases. Once a PSA test is done, additional prostate cancer screenings or tests will be performed in order to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Myth #3: Getting a Vasectomy Will Increase the Risk of Prostate Cancer

While this was once thought to be true, the fact is that after years of testing and research, there is no link between having a vasectomy and developing prostate cancer. Conversely, opting for a vasectomy can lead to the prostate being checked more often and early detection of prostate cancer in cases where it does occur.

Because prostate cancer is so common, understanding risk factors and knowing the facts about it can be incredibly beneficial for men of all ages. For more information on prostate cancer or to schedule your screening appointment today, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.