According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. It’s now the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, right behind lung cancer. The good news? Many survive and continue living full, healthy lives—especially if it’s caught early. That’s why early detection plays a crucial role in beating prostate cancer.

How to Reduce Your Risk

There are many known risk factors for prostate cancer, including age, race (it’s more common among African American men), family history, and overall lifestyle. Some risk factors—like smoking, poor diet, obesity, and lack of exercise—can be changed. But the most effective way to lower your risk? Regular screenings. Skipping this simple test can raise your risk by up to 45%. Catching it early means faster treatment and a better chance of recovery.

What the PSA Screening Studies Reveal

The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) tracked tens of thousands of men across seven countries for over 20 years. The results showed that routine screening can cut the risk of dying from prostate cancer by about 20%. Still, fewer men are going for screenings each year—a concerning trend that’s been linked to rising prostate cancer rates. This was confirmed by researchers at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute in the Netherlands.

Key Findings from the Netherlands

In a study involving over 72,000 men, researchers found that 1 in 6 skipped all their screening appointments. Those who didn’t attend were 45% more likely to die from prostate cancer. According to lead researcher Dr. Renée Leenen, many of these men fall into a category called “care avoiders”—people who generally ignore preventive healthcare. On the other hand, men who do show up for screenings tend to live healthier lifestyles overall.