Avoiding sustained sun exposure makes skin cancer less likely.
These cause-and-effect cycles, though, don’t apply to a scourge of many older men: prostate cancer.
It’s the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, per the American Cancer Society, behind only lung cancer. About one in 44 men in the U.S. will die of prostate cancer.
Yet prostate cancer is treatable, especially when detected early. Most cases are diagnosed before the cancer spreads. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and newer therapies like targeted drugs and immunotherapy.
The specific treatment plan depends on the stage, risk level and overall health of the individual.
“That is different than other cancers where once you find it, it’s a race to treat it,” said Dr. Benjamin Lowentritt, of Towson-based Chesapeake Urology, in an interview.
“Prostate cancer generally does not show symptoms until it’s spread. If you wait for symptoms, you have pain from where it’s spread in the body,” said Lowentritt, whose practice focuses on minimally invasive techniques to treat urological conditions.
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the prostate gland, which is a small gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is one of the most common types of cancer among men, especially older men. It usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm.
Men are now getting screenings more often than in the 2010s, said Lowentritt, referring to a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen), a blood test used to detect prostate cancer and other prostate conditions.
“My recommendation is a regular screening — a PSA test for men in their 40s,” he said. “For most parties, a single check in their 40s. Then annual blood tests and exams. By age 75, if you haven’t had prostate cancer show up, it’s unlikely to become a life-threatening disease.”
Public health measures have helped spur testing by men. Prominent figures in the scientific community have spoken out about the importance of prostate cancer screenings.
A former director of the National Institutes of Health, Francis Collins, revealed early in 2025 that he would soon be undergoing a surgical procedure that removes the prostate gland.
Another important element of prostate cancer public health campaigns highlights the pervasive health inequities in screening and treatments.
Specifically among Black men, who have a higher risk of getting the disease and dying from it. NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009.
The 7’ 2”, six-time NBA champion, and the league’s MVP in six seasons during his 1969 to 1989 professional basketball career, continues to advocate for prostate cancer awareness and screening.
And while prostate cancer is different than other forms of cancer that may be the direct result of activities and habits, there is some research evidence that healthy living can help in prevention. That includes adopting a heart-healthy diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing cholesterol, Lowentritt said.
“There does seem to be a dietary component. Higher amounts of fried foods and processed foods can have some correlation” with the onset of prostate cancer, he said. “A healthier lifestyle does seem to make prostate cancer progress less quickly.”