IRT Paul Mizue, prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death in American men.  More than 26,000 will die from it this year.  It is a very slow growing cancer which takes about fifteen years from the time it starts until it kills you.  Most deaths from prostate cancer can be avoided by early detection by digital rectal exams or blood tests for prostate-specific antigens (PSA).   Early detection provides for more treatment options and longer survivability.  I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  It was detected in an early stage.  My urologists gave me three treatment options - radiation, chemo therapy and surgical removal.  A fourth option was do nothing, but since I was in good health and not too old, the urologist said if I did nothing I would die from prostate cancer in about fifteen years and it would be a very painful death.  I opted for surgical removal.  That was seventeen years ago, I feel great, and hopefully have another fifteen years ahead of me.