Commissioner John V. Kelly and the
Nutley Department of Public Affairs and Health
recognize September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

A time to raise awareness about prostate cancer and generate support for those affected by the disease.

Facts About Prostate Cancer

• Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men
• This year, more than 160,000 men will be told they have prostate cancer
• Some men are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Aside from age, risk factors for prostate cancer include family history and race
  • 1 in 5 African American men will develop prostate cancer
  • 1 in 3 men with a family history will develop prostate cancer
• Nearly 3 million men in the U.S. count themselves as prostate cancer survivors

According to the AUA (American Urological Association)

• PSA screening in men under age 40 years is not recommended
• Routine screening in men between ages 40 to 54 years at average risk is not recommended
• For men ages 55 to 69, the decision to undergo PSA screening should be a shared decision made between the doctor and patient, after discussing the benefits and risks associated with screening and treatment
• Routine PSA screening is not recommended in men over age 70 or any man with less than a 10-15 year life expectancy
• Urologists are the front line of care and defense for most men and treat 80 percent of all newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer

Possible benefits of a PSA test

• A PSA test may find prostate cancer early before it has spread.      
• Early treatment of prostate cancer may help some men slow the spread of the disease.
• Early treatment of prostate cancer may help some men live longer