Prostate and Testicular Cancer

Prostate Cancer

f you’re a man and you live into your 80s or beyond, you’ll probably develop prostate cancer. But don’t panic — experts believe that by age 80, about eight in ten men have the disease to some degree, but most will die of other causes. In other words, you’re more likely to die with prostate cancer than because of it.

Even so, prostate cancer is an important concern. Prostate tumors grow slowly. Often, there are no symptoms until the cancer has reached an advanced stage and spread to other parts of the body. When this aggressive growth happens, prostate cancer can become life-threatening. That’s why it is important to detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages, when it is most likely to be cured.

Are you at risk?

If you’re a man, you’re at risk for prostate cancer. Other risk factors include:

  • Age: About two-thirds of all cases are diagnosed at age 65 and above. Your risk of prostate cancer increases significantly after age 50. If you are African-American or have a close relative with prostate cancer, your risk may increase after age 40.
  • Family history: If your father or brother has prostate cancer, your risk may be twice as high as average. If multiple family members have the disease, your risk may be even higher.
  • Race: For unknown reasons, African-American men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than white men. Interestingly, in Asian and African countries, prostate rates are lower than in America, but increase when men from these countries immigrate to America. While no one knows for certain why this is so, possible explanations may include a diet higher in fat, environmental causes or greater tobacco use.
  • Diet: As mentioned, a high-fat diet may contribute to prostate cancer risk.

Warning signs and symptoms

While early-stage prostate cancer has no symptoms, there may be some warning signs that indicate prostate problems. These include:

  • Difficulty starting or stopping urination
  • Frequent urination
  • Painful urination or ejaculation

If you experience these symptoms, make an appointment with your physician.

Prevention and screening

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is the most effective screening tool for early detection of prostate cancer. PSA is produced by the prostate gland; elevated PSA levels may signify prostate cancer or other prostate problems.

Men who have an average risk of prostate cancer should have the test yearly beginning at age 50; high-risk men should begin at age 40.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is far less common than prostate cancer. And unlike prostate cancer, testicular cancer most often affects white men between the ages of 20 and 34; it is less common in African-American, African or Asian men. What does it share with prostate cancer? A high cure rate if detected early.

Are you at risk?

The cause of testicular cancer is unknown. Most men who have it have no risk factors, but the following may increase your risk:

  • Having an undescended testicle, or a testicle that has not dropped down into the scrotum. Normally, testicles descend before birth.
  • Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic problem that may affect males
  • A family history of testicular cancer

Warning signs and symptoms

Symptoms of testicular cancer may include:

  • Change in the size or shape of one or both testes
  • Pain in the testes
  • Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
  • Dull pressure or pain in the lower back, belly and/or groin

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, make an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.

Prevention and screening

Since the cause of testicular cancer is unknown, there are no sure ways to prevent it. Early detection is key to successful treatment. In most cases, men discover testicular cancer themselves during a testicular self-examination (TSE). It also may be detected during a routine physical exam.

Take Action!

  • Have a yearly physical exam. For a referral to a Scripps physician, call 1-800-SCRIPPS (800-727-4777) or see our doctor finder.
  • Have a PSA blood test yearly starting at age 50 (or whenever your physician recommends).
  • Perform monthly testicular self-examinations.