Prostate Cancer Screening

The primary means of screening for prostate cancer are the digital rectal exam and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Both tests are recommended for men aged 50 and older to have at least once every four years, assuming there are no additional risk factors to be considered such as a close family member who has had prostate cancer. A third means of prostate cancer screening is via transrectal ultrasound, which select urology specialists can provide. Because prostate cancer tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads beyond the prostate gland, men aged 70 and older may not require such screening and some prostate cancers may not require treatment. However, early detection of prostate cancer is key to its successful treatment and a cornerstone of preventive health care. It can also result in a quicker and easier treatment protocol than that which may be needed when cancer is caught at a more advanced stage.