Prostate cancer is common, but you may not know how common it is. According to the American Cancer Society:
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men.
- It’s the second most common cause of cancer death in American men.
- 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
- Prostate cancer has been linked to age and race factors. Typically, prostate cancer develops in men over 65 and African American men.
- It is rare for prostate cancer to be diagnosed in men under 40.
- More than half of prostate cancer cases are found in men who are 65 and older.
- The average age of diagnosis is about 66.
- It’s estimated 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year.
- 34,000 men will die from prostate cancer this year.
The Importance of Prostate Screening
The good news is that most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer don’t die from it. More than 3 million American men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today. Early detection increases the likelihood of surviving prostate cancer. Men should start having prostate screenings at 40.
The Two Parts of Prostate Screening
A prostate screening consists of two parts: a blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). During the blood test, blood is drawn from your arm. It’s analyzed to detect Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA is a protein made by normal and cancerous cells in the prostate gland. A DRE is a quick, painless exam. Your doctor will insert a gloved finger into the rectum and check for abnormalities on the prostate that might be cancer. Having both a PSA and a DRE provides your doctor with valuable data and a more complete view of your health.
Our Screening Guidelines
Comprehensive Urologic Care recommends the following screening guidelines:
Age |
Screening Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under 40 | Not recommended. |
| 40 – 49 | Recommended at least once in your forties to determine baseline. Frequency determined by your doctor based on your results and risk factors. |
| 50 – 69 | Recommended yearly unless your doctor suggests a different frequency. |
| 70+ | Recommended for men with more than 10 years of life expectancy. Frequency determined by your doctor. Not recommended for men with less than 10 years of life expectancy |
The Facts About Biopsy
A biopsy is the only way to know for sure if a man has prostate cancer. If your urologist thinks you might have prostate cancer, he or she will do a biopsy. During a biopsy, small samples of the prostate are removed and examined by a pathologist. A prostate biopsy can be done in an outpatient surgery center or your urologist’s office.