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Understanding Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

By U.S. News & World Report

With the recent revision to prostate screening guidelines by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, PSA testing has once again become a topic of conversation, especially among men’s health communities. Retracting its previous position against the screening exam for prostate cancer, the USPSTF has now asserted that all men ages 55 to 69 are encouraged to speak with their doctor to make an educated and individualized decision on whether PSA testing will be of benefit to them. Though this new guideline will be helpful in opening the doors for PSA conversation between men and their doctors, prostate cancer screening is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, and there are specific and important exceptions to this blanket recommendation that are imperative for men to know.

When to start the prostate cancer conversation largely depends on one thing: your risk of developing the disease, and that risk is different for various populations of men depending on personal and family history. Prevention is the golden key when it comes to prostate cancer, but trying to process all the different ages, risk factors and guidelines to figure out when you should get tested can be overwhelming and confusing. I’m here to help take the guesswork out of prostate cancer screening to make sure every man — as well as his significant other — understands the risk, as well as when to get tested.

[See: 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer.]

First, let’s discuss prostate cancer risk factors. For reasons that aren’t well-understood, African-American men have a 60 percent higher chance than Caucasian men for developing prostate cancer, and because their cancers have been shown in clinical studies to progress much quicker, African-American men have a death rate (among those diagnosed) that is more than twice as high. Due to these facts, the broad screening recommendations for the general population are not optimal for African-American men. Their innate higher risk and likelihood to develop prostate cancer at an earlier age puts African-American men in a position to be tested sooner and possibly more frequently.

The PSA test is not without potential risks. But among African-American men at this elevated of a prostate cancer risk, the benefits of catching the cancer early far outweigh the potential consequences of the test, or of not testing at all. Ideally, African-American men should begin talking to their doctor about prostate cancer at age 40, as compared to 55 for the general population.

[See: Which Medical Screenings Should You Have in 2017?]

Another factor that contributes to a significantly higher risk for developing prostate cancer is any man who has a family history of the disease. Family history refers to any close male relative — father, brother or son — who has developed prostate cancer in his lifetime. Having a relative who was diagnosed before age 65 automatically places you at greater risk than that of the average man (two to three times higher), and if more than one of your close relatives has been diagnosed with the disease at any age, the risk is further compounded. Because of this considerable risk, any man with this type of family history should follow the same recommendations as African-American men and begin the discussion with their doctors at age 40. It’s vital for men to stay in communication with other men in their family to make sure they’re aware of any and all family history. This knowledge means better chances of early treatment that could help save a life.

For anyone in the general population, the risk for prostate cancer increases with age, and after 50 the risk begins to increase substantially. In fact, more than 80 percent of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older. It’s important to point out, though, that the USPSTF does recommend men over the age of 70 do not get PSA tests. You’re probably wondering: Why would that be if the majority of prostate cancers are found in older men? PSA screening is not recommended for any man with less than a 10-year life expectancy — the reason being that once a man reaches this elevated an age, the likelihood that prostate cancer would progress and cause problems during the remainder of his lifetime is less.

[See: How to Be a Good Patient Wingman.]

The choice to get tested for prostate cancer is a personal one, but early treatment can help men slow the spread of the disease and ultimately live longer. Knowing your personal risk factors for prostate cancer based on ethnicity, age and family history will significantly help you in determining if and when you want to begin screening. With this information, you can help give yourself the best chances at a prostate cancer-free future.

More from U.S. News

10 Things Younger Men Should Know About Prostate Cancer

10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer

Which Medical Screenings Should You Have in 2017?

Understanding Prostate Cancer Risk Factors originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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