SEATTLE — Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, and it’s the second leading cause of cancer death for men in the U.S.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and those numbers have been on the rise. Recent research found that more men are being diagnosed in more advanced, harder-to-treat stages.
Screening involves a simple blood test, and men attending the Seattle Kraken game on Nov. 15 can get that test for free. As part of the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer night, the Kraken teamed up with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to offer the blood tests at Climate Pledge Arena.
Steve Morrison is a prostate cancer survivor who encourages men to get the test, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
“I’ve heard the term it’s an old man’s disease,” Morrison said. “When we first found out, I’m like, what do you mean? I’m only 55.”
Only 55 years old, and otherwise, very healthy. Morrison is an accomplished runner with 12 marathons behind him. He eats well and doesn’t have any concerns about his health. But he stumbled into his diagnosis when his family pushed him to get a routine checkup. His doctor ran a blood test that included his prostate-specific antigen, or PSA.
If you look at the American Urologic Association, they’re basically saying men age 45 and older, up to about age 69, should be screened,” said Dr. Paul Kozlowski, a urologist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. There is a group of people who are at high risk for prostate cancer. We know that those are men who have family members who have prostate cancer, particularly those family members who were diagnosed at a young age. We know that men in our African American community are also at increased risk. The people at high risk should probably start screening between the ages of 40 and 45.
An elevated PSA doesn’t necessarily mean cancer or the need for treatment, and there is some debate over screening. But with new research finding a sharp rise in prostate cancer diagnoses in advanced stages, men should talk to their doctors.
“It’s been shown time and again that when you catch a cancer early, you can intervene early. Early treatment means better survival, means better outcomes,” Kozlowski said. “We always want to catch these cancers early.”
It’s a message Morrison is sharing, too.
“We all have to take ownership of our health; it’s not someone else’s responsibility, it’s ours, he said. “And it’s really important for our family and our friends and ourselves that we do that.”
Six months after prostate cancer surgery, Morrison is back on the road. As he trains for a half-marathon with his daughter, he says he needs a positive, determined attitude to overcome obstacles and reach the finish line — much like he did in his cancer battle.
Men who are 40 years and older can find the Virginia Mason prostate cancer screening in the northwest corner of Climate Pledge Arena on Nov. 15th. The free, fast blood draws will be available through the end of the first intermission, with results mailed to you within a few weeks of the game.