Screening

Remember that episode of Family Guy where Peter goes for a prostate exam and ends up suing his doctor? Even though the storyline is purely fictional, the show doesn’t exaggerate the discomfort men may actually feel during their prostate cancer screening.

“Screening involves a blood test and a digital rectal exam,” Olson says. “I haven’t found any men yet that have begged for a digital rectal exam.”

Since screening is not the most comfortable process, men will also wait too long to get tested for colorectal and prostate cancer. Olson says the tests are also controversial.

Unlike breast cancer, some data shows screening does not save lives because prostate cancer is not always lethal.

Both harmful types of prostate cancer and non-threatening types exist. Men can live many years with certain types and not be harmed, while other types can lead to serious health problems, Olson says. Currently, no screening technology exists to recognize which type a man has.

Aside from those who simply do not want to get tested, many men do not think they need to because they feel they are not at risk. While Olson recommends most men start getting screened at age 50, he urges some men to get screened earlier.

He says certain groups should be more aware of the risk of prostate cancer, including men with first-degree relatives, such as a father or brother, with prostate cancer. Men with relatives diagnosed at a young age have an even higher risk.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation says African-American men are 61 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men. On the other hand, prostate cancer occurs less often in Hispanic and Asian-American men than in Caucasian men, according to the American Cancer Society. The reasons for all of these racial predispositions remain unclear.

Despite these exceptions, Zenka explains that about 65 percent of the men afflicted with prostate cancer are over the age of 60.

So why should younger men care?

Matthews received his diagnosis before age 60. Despite this irregularity, he received treatment and has no more issues with prostate cancer.

According to Jarrard, the health patterns you develop in your younger years may influence the risk of developing cancer later in life. These patterns include factors such as diet, exercise and smoking. While no one knows exactly how these lifestyle changes can directly affect prostate cancer risk, McNeel believes “it’s just good common sense.”

After the health problems he encountered, Matthews says he and his wife became more careful with what they put into their bodies. They try to stay up-to-date with the healthiest foods and blend them into their diets.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation website lists a nutrition and exercise guide with a number of healthy recommendations. The site also includes risks factors for prostate cancer, such as being overweight and eating over-charred meats, which has shown to lead to prostate growth.

Jarrard emphasizes the dangerous effect the Western diet has on the development of cancer. He suggests a diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables.

“Recent studies show your risk of cancer is less for men who do routine exercise in their middle years,” Jarrard says. “It shows obviously something is going on there that affects the later years.”