Prostate Cancer is a cancer in a man’s prostate, a small walnut-sized gland that produces seminal fluid. A man’s prostate produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Symptoms include difficulty with urination, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all.

Some types of prostate cancer grow slowly. In some of these cases, monitoring is recommended. Other types are aggressive and require radiation, surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or other treatments.

As a firefighter (career, volunteer-whatever!), our “workplace” is toxic. Even with the best gear and SCBA, we absorb carcinogens. Furthermore, prostate cancer is a prominent MALE disease. So as a firefighter you INCREASE your risk significantly. Numerous studies have estimated the increased risk of prostate cancer in male firefighters. Studies have found a 1.15-fold increased risk of prostate cancer diagnosis – meaning that for every 100 non-firefighters with prostate cancer there were 115 male firefighters diagnosed.

Because there are often NO SYMPTOMS, EVERY firefighter MUST make their physician aware that they are a FIREFIGHTER…be it career, part time or volunteer. IF YOU DO NOT inform your physician that you are a FIREFIGHTER, there may be reluctance to perform a digital exam and to order a PSA test.

The most common screening tool for prostate cancer is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This is a simple blood test that measures the presence of PSA circulating in your bloodstream. This test is usually the first step in any prostate cancer diagnosis.