Those at particular risk for prostate cancer continue to be:

� Older men. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age.

� Those whose diet is high in animal fat. A study by MCG urologist and researcher Dr. Martha Terris also recently found that obesity makes prostate cancer harder to detect.

� Those with a family history. If a man's father or an older sibling has had prostate cancer, he is at increased risk. Also, African-American men are at increased risk.

While no clear cause for prostate cancer has been found, experts believe there are steps you can take to decrease your risk. If you are a smoker, quit. Get plenty of exercise. And a recent small study suggests that a low-fat diet combined with regular exercise and stress management can help lower PSA levels.

Thanks to advances in treatment techniques, a cure is possible for a large percentage of men with the disease. Treatments include:

� Prostate removal, via traditional or laparoscopic methods.

� Radiation therapy, including implantation of radioactive seeds in the prostate (brachytherapy) that help spare normal tissue.

� Chemotherapy.

� Investigational therapies such as cryotherapy.

� Hormone therapy.

Remember, awareness of the risk factors and the importance of annual checkups can help decrease your risk of developing prostate cancer.

- Dr. Ron Lewis

Section Chief of Urology

MCG Health System