September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and as a local oncology nurse navigator who works with patients with cancer of the urinary system, including prostate cancer, I have seen a rise in both the number of men getting diagnosed with prostate cancer and an increase in aggressive cancers before age 60.

As a community, we can impact these numbers by encouraging men to talk with their primary care providers (PCP) about the benefits and risk of screening. Screening includes a simple blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that men begin these conversations with their primary care providers at age 50 if they are of average risk and have a life expectancy of more than 10 years. Men who have first degree relatives such as a father or brother with prostate cancer before age 65 or African American men are at a high risk of developing the disease and should talk with their PCP at age 45. Additionally, men with more than one first degree relative diagnosed before age 65 should begin screening talks at age 40.

When prostate cancer is detected early, several treatment options are available, and your test results might even indicate you can choose active surveillance.

Support is available through the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer at www.mcfpc.org, through your PCP or local hospital or cancer center. Together, as a community, we can make a difference in the lives of the men we love.

Andrea Martelle, RN, OCN, ONN-CG

Winslow