Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer screening tests are designed to detect cancer before a person exhibits any symptoms. Common tests include the digital rectal exam and the prostate-specific antigen test. Some medical experts believe all men should be offered regular prostate cancer screening tests, while others do not recommend it. However, if the screening detects the cancer early, it may make the disease easier to treat.

 

Prostate Cancer Screening: An Overview

Some medical experts believe that all men should be offered regular prostate cancer screening tests. Other medical experts do not recommend prostate cancer screening (see Prostate Cancer Screening: Is It Right For You?)
 
Prostate cancer screening is looking for prostate cancer before a person has any apparent symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms of prostate cancer appear, the cancer may have begun to spread.
 
Scientists are trying to better understand which people are more likely to get prostate cancer. They also study the things we do and the things around us to see if they cause prostate cancer. This information helps doctors recommend:
 
  • Who should get a prostate cancer screening test
  • Which screening tests should be used
  • How often the prostate cancer screening tests should be done.
 
It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a prostate cancer screening test. These tests are given when you have no symptoms. Screening tests may be repeated on a regular basis.
 
If a prostate cancer screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to find out if you have cancer.
 
(Prostate Cancer Screening Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD