The prostate is a small gland in males, about the size of a walnut when normal. But while it is small, it can cause big problems – just ask any man who has ever had an inflamed or enlarged prostate. Of course, the most serious problem associated with the prostate is cancer.

Just as October has become the month when attention is drawn to breast cancer, Sept. is designated as National Prostate Health Month and National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

If you’re a man, or if you have a special man in your life, you’ll want to be aware of risk factors for prostate cancer, which include

Age.

As men grow older, they are more susceptible to prostate problems, and prostate cancer is generally found in men 50 and older. The American Cancer Society reports that six of 10 cases of prostate cancer are in men over age 65.

Race.

While prostate cancer can hit any man, African- Americans have a higher rate of prostate cancer.

Family History.

Men with a father or brother who were diagnosed with prostate cancer are at greater risk.

Diet.

Men who eat large amounts of red meat and dairy products may increase their risk for prostate cancer.

It’s often difficult to convince men to go to the doctor for routine physicals, but a routine physical is as important for men as it is for women. A prostate check is part of a man’s annual physical, using both a digital rectal exam or a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test.

Dr. Stewart Bundrick of Ark-La-Tex Urology and Prostate Cancer Institute in Bossier City acknowledges that it’s important for men to be aware of prostate cancer. Often, particularly for younger men, there are no symptoms so they don’t think it’s a concern for them.

As a urologist, Dr. Bundrick contends that one of the major issues with prostate cancer is that it is underdiagnosed in younger, healthier men who are in the prime of life.

“We (urologists) need to concentrate more on diagnosing prostate cancer in patients who are young and healthy,” he says.

Dr. Bundrick believes that the PSA is an overutilized test in older unhealthy patients and underutilized in younger healthy ones. “We need to be more aggressive offering it to younger patients and especially younger African- American men, particularly those with a family history of prostate cancer.”

While no young man really wants to be screened for prostate cancer, opening the discussion, especially with younger men and African- Americans is important. “Younger men and African- American men; that’s where you save lives,” Dr. Bundrick explains.