Prostate, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Published Sept. 9, 2015 By 412th Medical Group EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- September is Ovarian and Prostate Cancer awareness month. The 412th Medical Group is encouraging men and women to learn the symptoms and risk factors for prostate and ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in women (not counting skin cancer) and ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death in women according to the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer society estimates that in 2015, there will be 21,290 new cases of ovarian cancer and 14,180 deaths from ovarian cancer. There is a one in 75 lifetime chance of being diagnosed with this disease. The risk factors for developing ovarian cancer are increased age (most ovarian cancers happen after menopause), obesity, and family history (risk is higher if your mother, sister, or daughter had ovarian cancer). If you believe you are at risk, schedule an appointment with your medical provider. Ovarian cancer that is detected in early stages will increase the 5-year survival rate. However, ovarian cancer is difficult to detect, especially in the early stages and there are no effective screening tests. Patients should see their doctor if they have the following symptoms on a daily basis for more than a few weeks: bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly or having trouble eating, having to urinate often, tiredness, or weight loss with abdominal swelling. If you are having persistent symptoms or are concerned, do not hesitate to contact your medical provider. Prostate cancer is the second most common kind of cancer found in American men and is the leading cause of cancer death in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2015, there will be 220,800 new cases with a death rate of 27,540. This equates to 1 in 7 men who will be diagnosed over a lifetime with this disease. It commonly affects older men and is rare in a male younger than 40 years. Though prostate cancer is not often fatal, it is a serious disease. There are more than 2.9 million men in the US who are survivors of prostate cancer. The prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) test is used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. This test measures the amount of PSA in the blood. There is a lot of conflicting advice about PSA testing. Ultimately, whether a patient gets a PSA test is something they should decide after discussing with a medical provider, considering risk factors and weighing personal preferences. The risk factors for prostate cancer increade at over 50 years of age, if of African American race and family history (father/brother/son). Although early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, advanced prostate cancer symptoms may include: trouble having or keeping an erection, blood in the urine, pain in the spine, hips, ribs, and other bones, weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, and loss of bladder or bowel control. If you have these symptoms, you should see your medical provider. This is the time to recognize National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and National Prostate Awareness Month by learning about the diseases and talking to your medical provider about screenings and exams. Early detection can save lives. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your medical provider at the 412th Medical Group. Reference: Ovarian and Prostate Cancer. (n.d.). American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/healthy/findcancerearly.