McHenry Co. advises prostate screening

McHenry County Department of Health encourages men to get checked during September's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer.

According to the Illinois State Cancer Registry, approximately 8,340 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Illinois during 2008 and 1,330 men will die from it. Studies show that age is the main risk factor, as more than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65. While all men are at risk, family history, race and diet are equally important and can increase your chances of developing the disease. Men with close family members who have had prostate cancer are at higher risk, as are African-American men who are more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men.

To help men make an informed decision about the potential risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared a decision guide available at www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/publications/decisionguide.

All men 50 years of age and older should have regular medical checkups that include a prostate exam. Talk to your physician - be informed. Early detection and treatment can greatly improve prostate cancer outcomes.

For more information on men's health, visit Web site www.illinois.gov/menshealth.