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PATIENT PAGE

Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

From the American Cancer Society

    Prostate Cancer Facts

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
  
• About 189,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year.
  
• Prostate cancer can be deadly. About 30,200 men will die of the disease this year.
  
• Prostate cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancers in men and 10 percent of all male cancer-related deaths.
  
• The rate of prostate cancer is especially high among African-American men and among men with brothers or fathers who have had prostate cancer at a young age.
  

    The American Cancer Society (ACS) Recommendations

At age 50, talk with your health care provider about beginning annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing and digital rectal exams (DRE) of the prostate gland. Factors to consider include your overall health and life expectancy.

Men who are in high-risk groups, such as African Americans or those with brothers or fathers who have had prostate cancer at a young age, should begin screenings at age 45.

    Prostate Cancer Testing Is a Personal Decision

Each man’s situation is different. To decide on a plan of care that is right for you, you should discuss early detection tests for prostate cancer with your doctor. For your own health and peace of mind, the ACS recommends that all men understand the benefits and limitations of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer before screening.

Yearly testing is the best way to find prostate cancer early, which may help save your life. But, testing isn’t perfect. Many men with an abnormal test result may worry even though they will turn out not to have cancer. And while testing and biopsy find most cancers, they do miss some.

Unlike the situation with many other cancers, doctors are not sure that all men with prostate cancer need to be treated. Testing cannot always tell whether or not a cancer needs to be treated. There are many treatment options for early prostate cancer. Treatment cures some men but can also cause urinary and sexual problems for some men. Men over 75 might not benefit as much from testing since prostate cancer often grows more slowly in this age group.

    The PSA Blood Test

The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test is a very important tool for finding prostate cancer. During the test, blood is drawn and measured for a substance called PSA, which is produced by prostate gland cells. If the amount of PSA in your blood is higher than normal, it does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. Other less serious conditions can also cause PSA levels to rise.

Just to be sure, your doctor may recommend that you have a second PSA test at a later time to see if your PSA level remains high. Your doctor might order additional tests, such as a free (unbound) PSA blood test, or transrectal ultrasound and a biopsy to find out if cancer is present.

Now that you know the facts, talk to your doctor. Decide whether testing is right for you.

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