by Jeffrey Schock, D.O., board-certified in urology and urological surgery, and vice chairman, Department of Urology
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Although you may not want to take the time to see your doctor if you’re feeling fine, regular checkups and screenings can help detect any potential health problems you may have.
Not all scientific or medical groups advise routine screening for prostate cancer. There’s been much discussion and research regarding the value of screening for prostate cancer. More than 28,000 scientific articles have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals between October 1995 and October 2005. Thanks to this research and increased screening in the United States, prostate cancer-specific deaths have fallen.
Beginning at age 50, most men should receive prostate cancer screening, including both PSA testing and a DRE (digital rectal exam). The American Urological Association advocatesfor this. However, screening should begin at age 40 for high-risk groups, such as African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer.
Although the PSA blood test is prostate-specific but not cancer-specific, it sometimes can help predict prostate cancer when performed with a rectal exam. If your PSA value is more than the limit for your age, it is advisable to seek counseling by your primary care doctor and/or urologist. See the list below for limits:
Remember: Early detection can increase the chance for survival!