Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small gland that helps make semen. Prostate cancer is cancer that develops in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer can occur in anyone with a prostate — including cis men, trans women, and nonbinary people assigned male at birth.

Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men in New York City, after skin cancer. It often grows slowly, with no symptoms in the early stages. Prostate cancer responds best to treatment if detected early.

As a person ages, it is natural for the prostate to become larger. This may lead to some health problems with urinary and sexual function. These issues can be similar to the symptoms of prostate cancer. Your health care provider can help you understand what your symptoms mean.

Risk Factors

You may be more at risk for prostate cancer if you:

• Are a Black man (or a Black person assigned male at birth). The risk of dying from prostate cancer is more than twice as high for Black men as for White, Latino or Asian men.
• Are older. Most cases occur in people who are over age 40, and risk is higher in older people.
• Have a family history of prostate cancer.

People with risk factors do not always get prostate cancer, and people without risk factors can still get it. We do not always know why some people get prostate cancer and some people do not.

Talk to your health care provider about your risks. Be sure to tell them if you have a family history of prostate cancer.

Reduce Your Risk

Researchers are still studying ways to prevent prostate cancer.

Screening

Talk with your health care provider about the potential benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer. The decision to get screened or not is a personal one.

Some prostate cancers grow and spread quickly, while others grow so slowly that they do not cause harm. Side effects of treatment can include incontinence and erectile dysfunction. It is important for you to balance the potential benefits and risks of screening based on your personal and family history, concerns and other medical conditions.

Prostate cancer screening uses a blood test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. If your PSA level indicates you may have cancer, next steps could include a repeat PSA test, imaging, a biopsy or other tests.

The American Cancer Society recommends having the conversation about screening by different ages depending on your risk. Discuss starting this screening with your provider at age:

• 40 if you have more than one close family member who had prostate cancer before age 65
• 45 if you are Black or have one close family member who had prostate cancer before age 65
• 50 if you do not have specific risk factors.

Payment

If you do not have insurance, you may be eligible to sign up for low- or no-cost coverage. You can also get free in-person assistance signing up for a plan.

If you do not have a health care provider, you can call 311 to find a New York City Health + Hospitals clinic near you.

If you cannot get insurance, or if your insurance does not cover screening, you can call 311 to be connected to a New York City Health + Hospitals location and find out if you qualify for low- or no-cost care.