How Soon Should You Start Getting Checked for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer found in men. This type of cancer occurs in a man’s prostate, which is a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid. The cause of prostate cancer is unclear, but what doctors do know is that it begins when cells in your prostate become abnormal.

While some types of prostate cancer progress slowly, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly to other areas in the body. Prostate cancer that is caught early and hasn’t already spread has a better chance of a successful treatment. When should you start worrying about getting checked for prostate cancer?

When to Go for a Screening

Prostate cancer is common in men over the age of 65, but there are factors that can increase your risk of developing this type of cancer. Your risk of prostate cancer increases as you age. This includes men who are 50 and older, putting them at moderate risk for developing this disease.

However, there are men who are at a higher risk for prostate cancer. African American men are at a higher than average risk for prostate cancer than men of other races. It’s unclear why African American men are at a greater risk, but the cancer affects them more aggressively and becomes more advanced. Men who are obese are also at higher risk for being diagnosed with prostate cancer and are more likely to have an aggressive form that is harder to treat.

Men who have a family history of prostate or breast cancer have an increased risk for developing the disease as well. If one of your immediate family members was diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65, you are at a high risk for having cancer. Men with more than one close relative diagnosed before the age of 65 are at an even higher risk. Also, if you have a family history of genes that increase the risk of breast cancer or a strong family history of breast cancer, your risk of prostate cancer may be higher as well.

If you notice you are at a moderate or high risk for being diagnosed with prostate cancer, you should talk with your doctor about going for a screening. If you are also over the age of 50 and are experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer, a screening may benefit you as well. Symptoms may include frequent urination, painful or bloody urine, blood present in semen, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, nausea and weakness or numbness in the legs or feet.

Types of Screening

Screenings are tests that help your doctor detect cancer before there are any symptoms or when cancers are at an early stage. Prostate cancer can often be detected before symptoms surface by testing the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man’s blood with a PSA test. Another form of screening for prostate cancer is the digital rectal exam (DRE), where your doctor will put a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to feel your prostate gland. If the results of these tests are abnormal, further testing will be done to see if you have cancer, including an ultrasound or biopsy.

PSA testing combined with a DRE helps identify prostate cancers at their earliest and more treatable stages. If you would like one of these screening tests, or are at a higher risk of prostate cancer and are experiencing symptoms, Somerset Urological Associates (SUA) can help. At SUA, we can discuss your particular situation and give you more information on the screenings we provide. Together, we will decide if a prostate cancer screening is right for you. Contact us today to experience our personalized, convenient and state of the art care. Call (908)-927-0300 to schedule an appointment.