Detect prostate cancer early: a screening could save your life
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men next to skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of semen.
While we do not know exactly what causes prostate cancer, we do know that risk factors include: :
- Age 65+: more than 65 percent of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men aged 65 and older
- Race: African-American men are 60 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men
- Family history: having a relative with prostate cancer can increase your risk
- Obesity
While there are factors that affect your prostate health that you cannot change, like age, race, and family history, you can maintain a healthy weight and diet. Eating a healthy, high-fiber, low-fat diet that is largely plant-based can help lower the risk of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer, particularly in its early stages, has no symptoms. Screening offers a small potential benefit of reducing the chance of death from prostate cancer in some men. There are risks to screening tests — including false positives — that may lead to further testing, so before deciding whether to be screened, men should have an opportunity to discuss the potential benefits and harms of screening with their clinician and to incorporate their values and preferences in the decision.
Prostate cancer screenings
Typically, your physician will use one or two initial tests to screen for prostate cancer: a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is the most common, and occasionally, a digital rectal exam may be used. To perform a digital rectal exam, your doctor uses a gloved finger, inserted a few inches into the rectum, to feel the prostate for any obvious abnormalities.
A prostate-specific antigen test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in the blood — elevated levels of PSA could suggest prostate cancer, however, PSA can also be elevated for less serious causes, like prostate enlargement or infection. Because of this, additional testing may be needed with prostate-specific antigen tests in order to diagnose cancer. Based on the results of these screening tests, more sophisticated blood, urine, and imaging tests may be needed under the care of a specialist.
Prostate cancer screenings can help to detect cancer early, which can help prevent the risk of spreading, and ultimately could save your life. We encourage you to talk with your physician and come to a shared understanding so you can make an informed decision.
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and Montage Medical Group’s urology team provides prostate cancer care that prioritizes safety and quality. Expect to play an active role in your care and receive personalized support for your entire well-being.
If you’re a current patient, you may:
