Specialists have a new, more precise way to detect recurring or metastatic prostate cancer.

Ten years ago, Jack Edwards received a life-changing phone call.

“Prostate cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death among all cancers in men and it’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States,” said Dr. Mehmet Hepgur, a hematologist-oncologist with Broward Health North. Hepgur said screening for levels of prostate specific antigen, or PSA, can help detect prostate cancer early along with a digital prostate exam. If it’s above 10 obviously we are more worried about prostate cancer,” Hepgur said. “Unfortunately if the prostate cancer is left undiagnosed, it can lead to metastasis which is the spread of the cancer and can increase the chance of deaths,” he said. While genetic risk factors can’t be controlled, there are behavior modifications that can reduce the risk of prostate cancer including diet, exercise and losing weight.