Malignant misconception: Late-stage prostate cancer diagnoses on the rise 

As rates of late-stage prostate cancer diagnoses continue to rise in the U.S., a new report reveals that 60% of men aged 45 and older harbor misconceptions about the screening process.

Health experts warn that these misunderstandings — ranging from confusion over the screening process to uncertainty about when to start — are putting countless men at risk, making it more difficult to detect the disease early when it’s most treatable. 

“What’s most concerning is that while prostate cancer is highly survivable, it’s still the second leading cause of cancer death in men,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO for the American Cancer Society and ACS Cancer Action Network. 

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 300,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the U.S., and 40,000 of those will die. The incidence of the cancer is about 70% higher in Black men than white but nearly two-thirds of men aged 55-69 report they are not being screened for the cancer. 

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Cancer Society is shedding light on some startling misconceptions men aged 45 and older have about the screening process. Here were the findings: 

• 60% of men surveyed believed the first step in a screening is a rectal exam. 

• Among men who had not spoken with a health care provider about getting screened, nearly half (49%) would be more likely to do so if they knew the first step was a blood test. 

• Among men who had not been screened, the number one reason they gave was that they don’t think they need to be screened for prostate cancer yet (37%). 

• 2 in 5 U.S. men (38%) did not know that family history of the cancer influences eligibility for prostate cancer screening. 

• 1 in 4 Hispanic men (25%) and 1 in 4 Black men (25%) were unsure or mistakenly believed they don’t need to be screened for prostate cancer unless they experience potential signs/symptoms of the disease. 

• Over half of men (56%) didn’t know that erectile dysfunction can be a sign of prostate cancer. 

The American Cancer Society recommends that men begin discussions with their health care provider about the disease as early as 40. All men considering undergoing screening should have a life expectancy of at least 10 more years. 

“This survey shows that there is still a gap in understanding prostate cancer screening recommendations, which suggests discussions with health care providers are not taking place,” Knudsen said. 

To increase education around the cancer, the American Cancer Society is launching the Know Your Score campaign, designed to ensure men know their prostate-specific antigen score, which can determine their risks. 

“By educating men on the importance of early detection and prevention strategies, for those who choose to undergo regular screening, we have the ability to save lives and reverse the increase in late-stage prostate cancer diagnoses,” Knudsen said. 

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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

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