Each November, the Department of Urology is proud to partner with the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Medicine to raise awareness for and promote education surrounding health issues like prostate and testicular cancer. One overarching theme of screening for and successfully combatting these and other health issues is early detection – and knowing your family history can help immensely.
“Knowing risk factors for prostate cancer such as race, ethnicity, and family history are vital to guide age-appropriate screening and early detection which allows for more successful treatments towards a cure. A man with a family history of prostate cancer is at significantly higher risk of having prostate cancer and should consider screening with a PSA blood test at an earlier age,” said Soroush Rais-Bahrami, M.D., FACS, interim chair of the Department of Urology.
About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Early screening for prostate cancer is crucial because it can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment and survival. Regular screening in men over 50 or earlier for those with a family history of prostate cancer or African American background, can lead to early intervention and better health outcomes.
Testicular cancer, though less common than many other cancers, primarily affects younger men, typically between the ages of 15 and 35. Early detection through regular self-examinations and medical screenings is vital for effective treatment and a high survival rate. When caught early, testicular cancer is highly treatable and curable, often with less aggressive therapies and fewer long-term side effects.
“Regular monthly self exams for screening can help identify testicular abnormalities at an early stage, allowing for prompt medical evaluation and high cure rates if testicular cancer is found,” Rais-Bahrami said.
The 2024 Stubble to Support Men’s Health campaign is ongoing throughout the month of November. This beard-growing competition and fundraising campaign is an annual event that encourages individuals to grow out their facial hair for the month of November to promote educational awareness on men’s health issues. Teams will raise funds for UAB’s Program for Personalized Prostate Cancer Care. Create, join, or give to a team!