Prostate cancer isn’t the only risk: What men should know about urologic cancers
When it comes to urologic cancers, prostate cancer gets the most attention—and with good reason. With 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths from the disease expected this year, prostate cancer is the most common cancer type to affect men in the United States.
But beyond prostate cancer, men in their 50s should also ask their doctors about their risk of developing bladder, kidney and other urologic cancers, says Dr. Jeffrey Bassett, the Benjamin & Carmela Du Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology at Hoag.
“Detection is important,” Dr. Bassett says. “Urologic cancers can be managed if caught early. Understanding your individual risk, getting screened, and making the lifestyle choices that can reduce risk can make all the difference.”
Here are the most common urologic cancers Dr. Bassett recommends men discuss with their doctors:
Bladder Cancer is the second most common type of urologic cancer, with men accounting for 64,730 new cases and 12,640 expected deaths in 2026. Risk factors include smoking, family history and diet. Symptoms: blood in urine, frequent and urgent urination, pain during urination, and unexplained pain in your lower abdomen.
Kidney Cancer is among one of the 10 most common cancers in both men and women, with major risk factors attributable to smoking, poor diet, and other preventable factors. In 2026, an estimated 50,770 men are expected to develop kidney cancer, and deaths may reach 10,200. Symptoms: blood in urine, pain between the ribs and hips; persistent, unexplained low back pain on one side; loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss, fever, or a low red blood cell count.
Testicular Cancer is relatively uncommon, but nearly half of men who develop testicular cancer wait to seek diagnosis until their cancer has spread. Symptoms: a painless lump in the testicle, swelling of the testicle—with or without pain, a feeling of weight in the testicles, a dull ache or pain in the testicle, scrotum or groin, or tenderness or changes in the male breast tissue.
Prostate Cancer screening is recommended for men of average risk starting at age 50, and as early as age 40 for men whose family history or other factors put them at increased risk of developing the disease. The most common type of routine screening is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Symptoms: a dull pain in the lower pelvic area, frequent urination, trouble urinating, pain, burning, or weak urine flow, blood in the urine, painful ejaculation, pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs, loss of appetite, loss of weight or bone pain.
“Advanced screening, such as the kind we offer at Hoag, can help detect urologic cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage,” Dr. Bassett says. “Our multidisciplinary team, including leading national experts in robotic surgery and targeted therapies, are specially trained to offer highly skilled, personalized care.”
Advanced treatment options at Hoag include procedures that target cancer on a molecular level, surgeries and reconstructive techniques that remove cancer while sparing healthy tissue, clinical trials that provide chemotherapy, and other cutting-edge treatments not available anywhere else.
Dr. Bassett says staying current on PSA screenings and other routine checkups is the most important step in maintaining your health and quality of life. Hoag’s urologic oncology program is also investing in research aimed at detecting these cancers before symptoms ever appear.
“In addition to PSA screening, Hoag is leading the nation in providing customized urine tests for early prostate cancer detection,” Dr. Bassett says. “Every day, we are working to detect urologic cancers earlier and earlier—with the goal of preventing these diseases from ever taking hold.”
