Each year, approximately 175,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States. 1 in 9 men will get diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. However, only 1 in 41 of these men will die as a result of it, due to the advances in early diagnosis and treatment (source: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html ). In the early stages, when it is most treatable, prostate cancer causes no symptoms. This is why the American Urological Association recommends screening of all men between 55 and 69 years old with a PSA (blood test) every 1 to 2 years. For men at higher risk (African American, men with multiple close family members diagnosed with cancers of prostate, breast, ovary or pancreas), screening can start even sooner (source: https://www.auanet.org/guidelines/prostate-cancer-early-detection-guideline ). Prostate cancer that is more advanced can cause the following symptoms: trouble urinating, decreased force of urinary stream, painful urination, blood in the urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, pain in the pelvic area, or bone pain. Talk to your primary care provider or your Urologist and get screened for prostate cancer. To schedule a screening, call Springfield Urology at 802-886-3556.