September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, an important opportunity to increase awareness of one of the most common cancers affecting men in the United States. At Flagstaff Surgical Associates, we encourage men and their families throughout Flagstaff and Northern Arizona to learn about prostate health, understand individual risk factors, and have informed conversations with their healthcare providers about prostate cancer screening.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2026, with approximately 36,320 deaths. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
Prostate cancer does not affect every patient in the same way. Some tumors grow slowly and may require careful monitoring rather than immediate treatment, while others can be aggressive and spread beyond the prostate. Understanding personal risk and appropriate screening options can help patients make informed decisions about their health.
Understanding Prostate Cancer
What Is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body, and contributes fluid to semen.
The prostate commonly changes as men age. Conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can cause urinary symptoms but are not prostate cancer. Importantly, BPH and prostatitis are not considered risk factors for prostate cancer.
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer develops when cells within the prostate begin growing abnormally and uncontrollably. The biological behavior of prostate cancer varies considerably. Some cancers remain confined to the prostate and progress very slowly, while others are more aggressive and can spread to lymph nodes, bones, or other parts of the body.
This variability is one reason prostate cancer evaluation and treatment should be individualized.
Why Prostate Cancer Awareness Matters
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to address an important challenge: early prostate cancer frequently produces no noticeable symptoms. A person may feel completely healthy while prostate cancer is developing.
The ACS reported in September 2026 that prostate cancer incidence increased by approximately 3% annually from 2014 through 2022, with particularly concerning increases in advanced-stage diagnoses.
Awareness is therefore not simply about recognizing symptoms. It also means understanding your risk and discussing screening with a qualified healthcare professional before symptoms develop.
Who Is at Greater Risk for Prostate Cancer?
Age
Age is one of the strongest established risk factors. Prostate cancer is uncommon in younger men, but risk increases substantially with age. Approximately 6 in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men age 65 or older.
Family History
Having a close relative with prostate cancer can increase risk. According to the ACS, having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk, and risk can be even greater when multiple relatives have been affected or relatives developed the disease at younger ages.
Patients should make sure their healthcare providers know about prostate cancer and other cancers occurring in their families.
Genetics
Certain inherited genetic changes can increase prostate cancer risk. These include mutations involving BRCA1 and BRCA2, particularly BRCA2, as well as Lynch syndrome and other hereditary cancer syndromes.
A strong personal or family cancer history may prompt a discussion about genetic counseling or testing.
Race and Ancestry
Prostate cancer occurs more frequently among Black men in the United States and Caribbean men of African ancestry. Black men may also develop prostate cancer at younger ages. The reasons for these disparities are complex and remain an active area of research.
What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Early Prostate Cancer May Cause No Symptoms
One of the most important messages during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is that the absence of symptoms does not necessarily mean the absence of disease. Early-stage prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms.
When symptoms occur, they may include:
- Difficulty starting or maintaining urination
- A weak or interrupted urinary stream
- Increased urinary frequency
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Painful urination or ejaculation
- Persistent discomfort in the pelvis or lower back
- Unexplained bone pain in more advanced disease
These symptoms do not automatically indicate prostate cancer. Benign prostate enlargement, infection, inflammation, urinary conditions, and other medical problems can cause similar symptoms. A medical evaluation is necessary to determine the cause.
Understanding Prostate Cancer Screening
What Is a PSA Test?
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test measuring the level of PSA, a protein produced by prostate tissue.
An elevated PSA does not necessarily mean a patient has prostate cancer. PSA levels can also be affected by benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, infection, age, certain procedures, and other factors.
Conversely, prostate cancer can occasionally be present when PSA levels are not markedly elevated. PSA results therefore need to be interpreted in the context of the individual patient.
What Is a Digital Rectal Examination?
During a digital rectal examination (DRE), a healthcare professional examines the prostate through the rectum to assess its size, shape, and texture.
The ACS notes that PSA testing is the principal blood-based screening method and that a DRE may be used along with PSA testing, although DRE is less effective than PSA testing at finding prostate cancer.
When Should Men Discuss Prostate Cancer Screening?
There is no single screening schedule appropriate for every person. Screening involves potential benefits as well as limitations, including the possibility of false-positive findings, additional testing, and identifying slow-growing cancers that might never have caused harm.
For this reason, major guidelines emphasize shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals.
The American Cancer Society recommends beginning the screening discussion at:
Age 50 for Average-Risk Men
Men at average risk who are expected to live at least another 10 years should have an opportunity to discuss prostate cancer screening with their healthcare provider.
Age 45 for Higher-Risk Men
The conversation may begin at age 45 for men at higher risk, including African American men and men whose father or brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65.
Age 40 for Men at Even Higher Risk
Earlier discussions may be appropriate for men with more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age. Current ACS information also identifies BRCA mutations as a reason to discuss screening earlier.
Individual recommendations can differ according to health status, family history, genetics, prior PSA results, and personal preferences.
What Happens If a PSA Level Is Elevated?
An abnormal PSA result does not establish a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Depending on the PSA level and the patient’s overall risk profile, a healthcare provider may recommend repeating the PSA test or performing additional evaluation. Further assessment can potentially include additional blood or urine tests, imaging such as prostate MRI, and, when clinically appropriate, a prostate biopsy.
A biopsy allows tissue samples to be examined under a microscope to determine whether cancer cells are present.
If Prostate Cancer Is Diagnosed
Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Individualized
A diagnosis of prostate cancer does not automatically mean every patient needs the same treatment—or immediate treatment.
Management depends on factors such as:
- Cancer stage
- Tumor grade and biological characteristics
- PSA level
- Whether cancer has spread
- Patient age
- Overall health
- Other medical conditions
- Expected benefits and risks of treatment
- Personal preferences and quality-of-life considerations
Depending on these factors, management may include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, systemic treatments, or combinations of approaches.
Active Surveillance
Some prostate cancers are considered low risk and unlikely to cause immediate harm. In appropriate patients, active surveillance can involve carefully monitoring the cancer with PSA testing, examinations, imaging, and sometimes repeat biopsies rather than beginning treatment immediately.
The goal is to avoid or delay unnecessary treatment while maintaining the ability to intervene if evidence suggests the cancer is becoming more clinically significant.
Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?
There is currently no guaranteed method of preventing prostate cancer, particularly because several important risk factors—including age, genetics, ancestry, and family history—cannot be changed.
Maintaining a healthy weight, remaining physically active, avoiding tobacco, and following a balanced dietary pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are sensible components of overall health. Research continues to investigate how lifestyle factors may influence prostate cancer development and progression.
Patients should be cautious about supplements or products advertised as preventing prostate cancer. Evidence does not support relying on supplements as a substitute for appropriate medical care and risk-based screening.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Starts With a Conversation
September is an excellent reminder to ask a simple but important question:
“Based on my age, family history, ancestry, and overall health, should I be screened for prostate cancer?”
For some men, that conversation may lead to PSA testing. For others, screening may not yet be necessary. The important point is that the decision is informed and individualized.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month also provides an opportunity for families to discuss their medical histories. Knowing that a father, brother, grandfather, uncle, or other relative experienced prostate cancer may provide valuable information when assessing individual risk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer
Is prostate cancer common?
Yes. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 333,830 new U.S. cases in 2026.
Does prostate cancer always cause symptoms?
No. Early-stage prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms, which is why discussions about screening can be important even when someone feels healthy.
Does an elevated PSA mean I have prostate cancer?
No. PSA can be elevated for several reasons other than cancer. An abnormal result generally requires interpretation and, depending on the circumstances, additional evaluation.
Can I have prostate cancer with a normal PSA?
It is possible. PSA testing is an important screening tool, but no screening test detects every cancer. A healthcare professional can interpret PSA results in combination with other risk factors and clinical findings.
At what age should I start thinking about prostate cancer screening?
The ACS recommends an informed screening discussion beginning around age 50 for average-risk men with at least a 10-year life expectancy, age 45 for certain higher-risk men, and age 40 for those at even higher risk. Individual circumstances can alter these recommendations.
Does prostate cancer run in families?
It can. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer increases risk, particularly when multiple close relatives have been affected or a relative was diagnosed at a younger age.
Are BRCA mutations connected to prostate cancer?
Yes. Inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can increase prostate cancer risk, with BRCA2 having a particularly important association. Lynch syndrome and other inherited genetic changes can also increase risk.
Does an enlarged prostate mean I have cancer?
No. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate and is common as men age. BPH itself is not considered a risk factor for prostate cancer.
Can prostate cancer be cured?
Many prostate cancers can be treated successfully, particularly when disease is localized. Outcomes depend on the cancer’s stage, grade, biological characteristics, overall health, and other individual factors.
Does everyone diagnosed with prostate cancer need surgery?
No. Treatment is individualized. Depending on the cancer’s characteristics and the patient’s circumstances, options may include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal treatment, systemic therapy, or combinations of treatments.
Why is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month important?
Awareness encourages men to understand their personal risk, learn their family history, recognize potential symptoms, and discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare providers. Because early prostate cancer frequently has no symptoms, proactive conversations can be particularly valuable.
Take Action During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
This September, Flagstaff Surgical Associates encourages men throughout Flagstaff and Northern Arizona to make prostate health part of their overall healthcare routine.
Know your family history. Understand your personal risk factors. Pay attention to urinary or other concerning symptoms. Most importantly, talk with a healthcare professional about whether prostate cancer screening is appropriate for you.
An informed conversation today can help you make confident, evidence-based decisions about your health.
Contact Information
Flagstaff Surgical Associates
77 W Forest Ave, Suite 201
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 773-2222
Website: flagstaffsurgical.com
Contact Flagstaff Surgical Associates to learn more about urologic care, prostate health, evaluation of urinary symptoms, and individualized prostate cancer screening and treatment discussions.