Prostate cancer: what you need to know
NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - FOX 5 NY meteorologist Mike Woods revealed on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Mike will undergo surgery on Wednesday and is very optimistic about his recovery.
In light of his diagnosis, here are some important facts about prostate cancer and links to sites with more information.
Cancer of the prostate—the gland that lies below the bladder in front of the rectum—is the most common cancer in men in the United States.
Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow uncontrollably.
One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.
The illness is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men and it occurs more often in African-American men than in white men.
Health experts say prostate cancer is 100 percent treatable and most men will not experience any symptoms.
A federal panel of health care experts just released revised guidance on prostate cancer screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said that men aged 55 to 69 should consult with their doctors to weigh the potential benefits and harms of screening and then make a decision.