What every man needs to know about prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. The American Cancer Society says 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed during their lifetime.

Gillian Neff and Desirae Williams

Aug 30, 2025, 3:52 PM

Updated 7 hr ago

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Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. The American Cancer Society says 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed during their lifetime.
Screening is typically recommended at age 50, but men at higher risk — including those with a family history, certain medical conditions, or who are African American — may need to start screening earlier. If the disease isn’t caught early, doctors say symptoms may include:
  • Frequent urination
  • Trouble fully emptying the bladder
  • Blood in the urine
  • Pelvic pain
  • Sexual dysfunction
The most common screening method is the PSA blood test, which looks for elevated levels of a protein linked to prostate cancer. If those levels are high, doctors may run more tests to confirm a diagnosis. Health experts urge men to know their risk and talk with their doctor about when to start screening