Prostate Screening Choices
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the US. It is a cancer of the prostate gland. This gland sits below the bladder in men. The cancer occurs most often among older men. About 70% of men with prostate cancer are over 65 years of age.
In its early stages, prostate cancer has no symptoms. It is often a slow-growing cancer. In fact, it may take years to spread. When the cancer gets larger or spreads, it may cause problems. This may include impotence , urinary problems, and pain in your back, hip, or thighs. To help detect cancer in its early stages, your doctor may recommend a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam (DRE).
PSA Test
A PSA test measures the level of the antigen in your blood. It is done with a sample of blood, often taken at your doctor’s office. It may be a part of your regular physical exam.
PSA is made by the prostate gland. It is normal for healthy males to have some PSA in their blood. Levels sometimes increase when prostate cancer is present. There are other conditions which may increase the PSA. They include an infection of the prostate or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). BPH is a benign prostate enlargement. It is often found in older men. If your PSA increases, your doctor may order further tests.
PSA may also be checked in people who have already been diagnosed with cancer. PSA may be used to check the progress of cancer or to evaluate a treatment.
Key considerations:
- Both benign and cancerous conditions can cause elevated PSA levels.
- The blood test can only measure the levels, not the cause. Further testing would need to be done to find the cause.
- Prostate cancer does not always increase PSA levels. A test that shows normal levels does not mean you are cancer-free. Do not ignore symptoms common to prostate cancer because you had a normal PSA test. This could lead to a delay in treatment.
Digital Rectal Exam
The digital rectal exam (DRE) may be done during your regular physical exam. The prostate gland lies next to the rectal wall. It should be walnut-sized. The doctor will use a gloved finger to feel the prostate through the rectum. This exam is done to find lumps or changes to your prostate.
Key considerations:
- The DRE cannot show if the lump is cancer or not. A positive test will lead to further testing.
- Some lumps may not be found through this exam. Very early stage cancer is difficult to detect with DRE. A clear test may again encourage men to ignore symptoms common to prostate cancer. This could lead to delays in treatment.
Next Steps
Further Testing
Based on the results of one or both tests, your doctor may recommend a prostate biopsy . A needle is used to remove a sample of the prostate. The sample will then be examined in a lab for cancer cells.
A biopsy does have some degree of risk. It can lead to problems with bleeding or infections. A biopsy can also be an uncomfortable process.
Since the increased PSA levels do not always mean cancer, some men will end up with unnecessary biopsies. Undergoing any exam for cancer can be a stressful process. For some people, identifying cancer at an early stage can be a life-saving step.
Watchful Waiting
Most prostate cancers are slow-growing. Some are so slow that men with prostate cancer often die from other causes. Your age, cancer risk factors, DRE, and PSA results will all play a role in treatment decisions. One option is to simply wait and monitor changes in the cancer. The PSA levels can be used to track any changes.
Some may be uncomfortable with having untreated cancer. However, cancer treatments have risks of their own. Treatments may cause impotence or trouble with leakage of urine.
Decision-Making
The benefit of a screening test is measured through its ability to save lives. Research has not been able to find lower death rates because of PSA or DRE screening.
Regardless, the tests may be offered for men at age 50 years and older. And in some men with high risk for prostate cancer, screening can start even earlier. Talk to your doctor about the test options. Ask about the benefits and risks of prostate screening for you. Life expectancy, family history, age, and current health will all play a role in your screening plan for prostate cancer.
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
National Prostate Cancer Coalition
http://www.pcacoalition.org/
Canadian Resources
The Canadian Prostate Cancer Network
http://www.cpcn.org/
Prostate Cancer Research Foundation
http://www.prostatecancer.ca/
References:
Can Prostate Cancer be Found Early? American Cancer website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_3x_can_prostate_cancer_be_found_early_36.asp. Accessed January 26, 2010.
Early Prostate Cancer. National Cancer Institute website. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/early-prostate. Accessed January 26, 2010.
Prostate Cancer. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=da29d243-e573-4601-8b42-77cd0ccb14b2&chunkiid=11607. Accessed January 21, 2010.
Prostate Cancer Screening. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://dynaweb.ebscohost.com/Detail.aspx?id=113802&sid=6b2f668e-58fa-4e63-a519-46e693eb9594@sessionmgr14. Accessed January 26, 2010.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=da29d243-e573-4601-8b42-77cd0ccb14b2&chunkiid=29006. Accessed January 26, 2010.
Last reviewed March 2010 by Alan Ehrlich, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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