Metro India News | Hyderabad 

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month—a time to shed light on one of the most common cancers in men. Though primarily affecting those over 65, Prostate Cancer is increasingly seen in younger men, where it tends to be more aggressive.

Dr. Rajesh Kumar Reddy Adapala, Uro Oncologist at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), explains that early-onset cases (under 50) make up 2–10% of diagnoses. Key risk factors include age, family history, genetic mutations (like BRCA1/2 and Lynch syndrome), race, and lifestyle-related issues such as obesity and sedentary habits.

Genetics plays a crucial role especially in younger patients. Those with affected close relatives are at two to five times higher risk. Screening typically begins at 50, or earlier (from age 40–45) for high-risk groups. MRI, biopsy, and PSMA PET-CT help in diagnosis and staging.

While there’s no guaranteed prevention, a healthy lifestyle and vigilant screening for high-risk individuals improve early detection. Treatment varies from active surveillance in low-risk cases to robotic surgery or combined therapies in advanced disease.