SHELBY, NC — As September begins so does National Prostate Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men in the U.S., and the 4th most common tumor diagnosed worldwide. In the U.S., 1 in 8 men will have prostate cancer in his lifetime. For Black men, that number is even higher. One in six black men will develop prostate cancer and Black men are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.
Dr. Robert Gossett of Carolina Urology Partners in Shelby says that this month is a good reminder to talk to your doctor about your prostate. “It may be time for a screening,” he says, “Black men should be screened earlier in their lives, possibly at the age of 45. For most men, you likely don’t need to be screened under the age of 50 unless you have a family history of the disease.”
“Education, however, is as important as testing,” Gossett says. There are more options to learn about prostate cancer than ever. Gossett recommends www.cancer.org or www.urologyhealth.org to answer many of your questions.
Dr. Gossett says that a simple tool to remember when it comes to your prostate health is that “If its healthy for your heart, its healthy for your prostate.”
For more information on Prostate Awareness Month click here.
To find out more from Dr. Gossett visit Carolina Urology Partners in Shelby.