Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: what to know and how to help
Published in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Every September, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month brings attention to prostate cancer, its symptoms and risk factors, and the importance of making informed decisions about screening. For people affected by prostate cancer, the month can also be an opportunity to connect with support, share reliable information, and bring communities together to help.
According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men in the United States. While many prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause health problems, others can be more aggressive. Understanding the disease can help people have informed conversations with their healthcare providers and find meaningful ways to support someone affected by prostate cancer.
What is prostate cancer?
The prostate is a gland in the reproductive system. It sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum, and helps make fluid that is part of semen.
Prostate cancer develops when cancer cells form in the tissues of the prostate.
Prostate cancers can behave differently from person to person. The American Cancer Society says that many grow slowly, while others may grow more quickly or spread beyond the prostate. These differences can affect how doctors monitor or treat the disease.
What causes prostate cancer?
There isn’t one known cause of prostate cancer. Instead, researchers have identified several prostate cancer risk factors that can increase a person’s chance of developing the disease.
The U.S. Centres for for Disease Control and Prevention lists the following:
- Age. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age.
- Family history. Having a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer can increase risk.
- Inherited genetic changes. Certain inherited changes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and Lynch syndrome, are associated with prostate cancer risk.
- Race and ancestry. In the US, Black men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and are more likely to die from the disease than men in other racial and ethnic groups. They are also more likely to develop prostate cancer at a younger age.
Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean someone will develop prostate cancer. A healthcare provider can help someone understand their individual risk and whether they should consider screening.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, according to the U.S. Centres for for Disease Control and Prevention.
When prostate cancer symptoms do occur, they can include:
- Difficulty starting urination
- A weak or interrupted urine flow
- Urinating frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty completely emptying the bladder
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Pain in the back, hips or pelvis that doesn’t go away
- Painful ejaculation
These symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer. Anyone concerned about new or persistent symptoms should talk with a qualified healthcare provider.
How does prostate cancer screening work?
Prostate cancer screening looks for cancer before symptoms appear. There isn’t one standard screening test recommended for everyone, so deciding whether to get screened should involve a conversation with a healthcare provider about individual risk and the possible benefits and harms.
One commonly used screening method is the PSA test, or prostate-specific antigen test. This test measures the amount of PSA in the blood.
A higher PSA level doesn’t necessarily mean someone has prostate cancer. PSA levels can also be affected by an enlarged prostate, infection, certain medications, and other factors.
If a PSA result is abnormal, a healthcare provider may recommend additional diagnostic tests to determine the cause.
What happens after a prostate cancer diagnosis?
Treatment depends on factors including how advanced the cancer is, how quickly it’s growing, and a person’s overall health.
For some prostate cancers, doctors may recommend active surveillance, which means closely monitoring the cancer and starting treatment if test results show that the condition is getting worse.
Other prostate cancer treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and other treatments. A person’s healthcare team can explain the potential benefits and risks of the options available to them.
How to support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month can be an opportunity to learn, share reliable information and support people navigating prostate cancer.
There are several ways to help:
- Support someone going through treatment. Practical help with meals, transportation, or everyday expenses can make a difficult period a little easier.
- Donate to a prostate cancer fundraiser. A donation of any size can help someone work toward their fundraising goal.
- Start a fundraiser. Fundraising can help a loved one with needs related to their experience or help rally a community around a cause.
- Support prostate cancer organizations. Consider organizations working in areas such as research, education, patient support, and access to care.
- Share reliable information. Encourage people in your community to learn about prostate cancer risk and talk with a healthcare provider about whether screening is appropriate for them.
Find ways to help people affected by prostate cancer
Learning about prostate cancer is one way to take part in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Helping someone facing it is another.
Explore GoFundMe fundraisers supporting people and families affected by prostate cancer, or consider starting a fundraiser for someone in your community who could use support.
Organizations supporting people affected by prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is also an opportunity to support organizations working to help people affected by prostate cancer. Whether you want to support research, raise awareness, or help people and families navigating a diagnosis, here are organizations you can support through GoFundMe.
1. ZERO Prostate Cancer
ZERO Prostate Cancer works to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, awareness, education, and support. Its work helps people affected by prostate cancer find information, connect with resources, and advocate for better access to care.
You can donate directly to ZERO Prostate Cancer or start a fundraiser to support its work.
2. Prostate Network
Prostate Network is a survivor-led organization based in Kansas City that connects prostate cancer survivors, their partners, and supporters through peer meetings, educational resources, and advocacy. Its programs give men diagnosed with prostate cancer a place to find community, share experiences, and access guidance on everything from screening to survivorship.
Help people affected by prostate cancer
For people facing prostate cancer, support from friends, family, and their wider community can make a meaningful difference. People use GoFundMe to ask for help with medical expenses, travel for treatment, everyday costs, and other needs that can arise during treatment and recovery.
This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, explore fundraisers for people navigating prostate cancer and find a story that speaks to you.
- All
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder of the power of learning, talking, and showing up for others. Whether you share trusted information, support someone you know, or contribute to a fundraiser, each act of help can bring people together when they need it most.
Sources and further reading
For medically reviewed information about prostate cancer, visit:
| Organization | Resource | Link |
| National Cancer Institute (NCI) | Prostate cancer information and screening | cancer.gov |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Prostate cancer risk factors and symptoms | cdc.gov |
| American Cancer Society (ACS) | Prostate cancer early detection, diagnosis, and staging | cancer.org |
| Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) | Resources for patients | pcf.org |
This article is for general educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have questions about prostate cancer symptoms, risk or screening, talk with a qualified healthcare provider.