Can I Get Checked for Prostat... Health Article
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There are ways to screen for prostate cancer, but screening is not a clear-cut issue.
Some experts don’t recommend screening. Why? Because it’s not clear whether early detection improves quality of life or survival. That’s because many prostate tumors never become a problem, even if they aren’t treated. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), for instance, doesn’t recommend for or against screening for prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) does believe that screening for prostate cancer is important. Here are the ACS recommendations for screening.
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Screening should begin at age 45 for men at high risk. You’re considered at high risk if you’re African American. You’re also at high risk if you have a brother, son, or father who had prostate cancer. If you have more than one relative who had prostate cancer, you could start screening at age 40.
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Doctors should offer men with average risk the option of being screened starting at age 50.
Screening typically occurs every year.
You should talk about the risks and benefits of screening with your doctor. If you’re at high risk for prostate cancer, the ACS says that the benefits of screening may outweigh the risks.