Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. While many men are aware of it, far too many ignore the warning signs or skip screenings that could save their lives. A growing body of research shows that avoiding screening is not just risky — it’s potentially deadly. New studies reveal a 45% higher risk of dying from prostate cancer among men who choose not to attend screening appointments.
As cases are expected to rise sharply in the coming years, particularly with aging populations, it’s more important than ever for men to take this disease seriously and understand how to detect, prevent, and treat it.
The Alarming Trend of Rising Prostate Cancer Cases
Experts expect prostate cancer cases to double worldwide between 2020 and 2040. In the United States alone, around 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. The increase is partly due to aging Baby Boomers and, soon, Millennials entering the most at-risk age range. Prostate cancer typically appears in men over 50, with the average diagnosis age being 67.
African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry are especially vulnerable, facing both higher diagnosis rates and more than double the mortality risk compared to white men. Genetics, lack of access to screening, and other health disparities play a major role.
The High Cost of Skipping Screening
A major 20-year European study involving over 72,000 men found that those who skipped every prostate screening appointment were 45% more likely to die from the disease than those who attended. Even when compared to men who were never invited to screen at all, those who ignored invitations had a 39% higher risk of death.
Doctors believe this may be because people who skip screenings also tend to avoid other types of health care. Dr. Renée Leenen, one of the lead researchers, says that better understanding these men and what drives their decisions is essential to improving screening rates and saving lives.
Why Early Detection Matters
The earlier prostate cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. When caught before it spreads, the five-year survival rate is over 99%. But once it spreads to the bones, lungs, or other organs, the survival rate drops to around 37%.
Early-stage prostate cancer often shows no symptoms, which is why regular screening is key. The most common method is the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, but elevated PSA levels don’t always mean cancer. That’s where new tools come in.
Breakthroughs in Detection: Faster and More Accurate Tests
Several new technologies are changing the way prostate cancer is diagnosed:
- Micro-ultrasound (microUS): A faster, cheaper, and safer alternative to MRIs, this high-resolution ultrasound scan can detect cancer with the same accuracy as traditional imaging. It allows doctors to diagnose and biopsy in the same visit, reducing delays and potential errors.
- Saliva-based genetic tests: A new at-home spit test can identify genetic risk factors and detect aggressive forms of prostate cancer earlier than blood tests. In trials, this test found dangerous cancers that traditional PSA tests missed, offering hope for a more accurate and less invasive screening method.
These tools may soon make screening easier, more accessible, and more personalized.
Reducing Risk Through Healthy Habits and Screening
While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer, some lifestyle changes can reduce your risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Exercise regularly, even with light activities
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
- Stay informed about your family history
Men with a family history of prostate, breast, or colon cancer should talk to their doctors about earlier or more frequent screening. Genetic testing may also help identify those at higher risk.
Is Prostate Cancer Curable?
When caught early, prostate cancer is often curable. Treatment options include:
- Active surveillance: Monitoring low-risk cancers instead of treating right away
- Surgery or prostatectomy: Removing the prostate
- Radiation therapy
- New methods like high-intensity focused ultrasound: This non-invasive option targets only the cancerous part of the prostate and avoids many side effects
Doctors are also using genomic testing to better understand which treatments work best for each individual.
However, not every prostate cancer needs treatment. Some grow so slowly that older patients may live their entire lives without needing therapy. On the other hand, younger patients with more aggressive cancers may need immediate intervention.
The Bottom Line: What Men Should Do
Prostate cancer isn’t a death sentence, but ignoring it could be. Men should:
- Start regular screening around age 50, or earlier if they have risk factors
- Talk openly with their doctor about screening options and family history
- Consider new testing methods as they become available
- Stay informed and seek a second opinion if diagnosed
- Maintain healthy habits to lower overall risk
As Dr. Bruce Montgomery of UW Medicine says, “Knowing whether there is prostate cancer and how risky it is can be the first step. Not every cancer needs to be treated.” But not knowing at all could be the most dangerous decision of all.
