Prostate Cancer Can Be Deadly. Get Screened Now.

By: Collin Cooper, PA-C

Do you know eight men who are older than 50? If yes, then you likely know at least one person with prostate cancer. That’s because about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime per the American Cancer Society. But you should urge all men to get a screening.

Thirty-seven percent of prostate cancer cases occur in men between ages 45 and 64. It’s the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Yet close to 90% of prostate cancers can be cured if caught early, through a simple blood test and physical exam.

These are facts all men should be aware of, especially in September – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Here’s something else you should be aware of: more than 3.1 million men diagnosed with prostate cancer are alive today, thanks to preventive screenings and advanced treatments.

What Can You Do? Get Screened.

The PSA test which screens for prostate cancer should be considered a routine test for men beginning at age 50 or at age 40 if you are African American or have an immediate family member diagnosed with the disease. Like a cholesterol screening or mammogram, it is a preventive measure.

Typically, the screening begins with an overview of your medical history and a physical exam. A digital exam, in which the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum, is performed to detect abnormalities. However, many prostate cancers are too small or distant to be felt through a rectal exam. This is why physicians recommend a blood test as well, called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening.

A PSA is a protein that all prostate cells produce – including cancerous cells, if present. Some of this protein is passed into the bloodstream, so men with prostate cancer often have elevated PSA levels. The PSA blood test measures this amount.

But here’s the thing: The PSA can vary from man to man. There are men with a PSA of 20 who don’t have prostate cancer and men with a PSA of 2 who do. For that reason, it is important to know not only your absolute PSA value, but how it is changing over time. A PSA that is rising can be an indicator of prostate cancer, making it important to see a urologist.

This is why men should request a PSA screening at ages 40 or 50, to establish their healthy baselines. Your primary care physician, or any of MidLantic Urology’s 60+ physicians, can provide a PSA test and digital rectal exam.

What if It’s Cancer?

Don’t panic. You’re not alone. All of MidLantic Urology’s physicians can treat prostate cancer in its early stages. We’re located throughout Philadelphia and surrounding counties. Call the office that’s most convenient to you for an appointment.

Our team of Advanced Prostate Cancer Champions has received special training in the latest techniques to treat cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland and into other parts of the body. Learn more about these champions and how they can help you.