Myths of Prostate Cancer

Here are some things that will not cause prostate cancer: Too much sex, a vasectomy, and masturbation.  If you have an enlarged prostate (BPH), that does not mean you are at greater risk of developing prostate cancer. Researchers are still studying whether alcohol use, STDs, or prostatitis play a role in the development of prostate cancer.

Controversies About Screening For Prostate Cancer

Advice differs about the message men with no symptoms should be given about screening for prostate cancer. The reason is that prostate cancer behaves differently than other cancers.   Many men have a cancer that will never affect them.  Screening does not benefit those men and could cause more harm than good if they develop side effects from the treatment.  One good study found that 1000 men had to be tested over 10 years and 24 had to be treated to prevent one from dying of the disease.

Currently, the American Cancer Society advises men to talk with a health care professional about the pros and cons of getting screened and then each man should decide whether or not to be tested.  This conversation should be done at age:

• 50 for average-risk men who expect to live at least 10 more years.
• 45 for men at high risk. This includes African-Americans.
• 40 for men with a strong family history.

The American Urological Association recommends a first-time PSA blood test at age 40, with follow-ups per doctor's orders.  This is not based on any good studies proving that it will help improve survival more than testing men starting at age 50.