Prostate Cancer Screening in Lake Mary, Florida (FL)
Prostate
cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Early detection can
save your life by catching the cancer in its early, most treatable
stages. The two tests most often used for prostate screening are a digital rectal exam, and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.
A digital rectal exam
is a physical exam performed by your doctor while wearing lubricated
gloves. Your doctor will use a lubricated finger (a “digit”) to check
your prostate for any changes in size, shape or texture.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test
is a blood test used to check PSA levels in the blood. PSA is a protein
produced by the prostate. High levels of PSA may indicate prostate
cancer.
Because high PSA levels can also indicate other conditions such as prostatitis
(inflammation of the prostate), PSA testing has led to a high number of
false positives and some unnecessary biopsies. Nevertheless, PSA
remains a routine and effective screening tool for prostate cancer.
In
addition to being a helpful prostate cancer screening tool, the results
of a PSA test can also measure the effectiveness of prostate cancer
treatment.
Who Should Be Screened?
Organizations such as the American Urological Association (AUA) and the American Cancer Society and others differ on their recommendations as to whom should be screened. Ultimately the decision is made between a man and his doctor, based on his risk factors individual preferences. Due to the risks inherent in PSA screening including a high number of false positives, the American Urological Association (AUA) provides the following recommendations for men:40 years and younger: AUA recommends against screening as there is a low prevalence of prostate cancer, and no evidence that screening is beneficial, though risks do exist.
40 to 54 years: For men in this age group who are of average risk, AUA does not recommend routine screening, but also doesn't recommend against it. For men 40-54 years old, who do have a risk factor for prostate cancer, AUA recommends making the decision to screen on an individual basis with your doctor.
55 to 69 years: As this group can benefit the most from PSA testing, AUA recommends shared-decision making between you and your doctor, to weight the benefits of preventing prostate cancer mortality (1 man for every 1,000 screened), against the harms and in alignment with your own values and preferences.
70 years and older: AUA does not recommend PSA testing for this group or for anyone with a life expectancy less than 10 to 15 years.
Though the PSA test itself is simple, the decision whether to have one can be complicated. Talk to your doctor about whether a PSA screening is right for you.
Risks of PSA Testing
The test itself poses no real risks. However, risks include: false-positives and the resulting heightened anxiety, false-negatives leading to a misdiagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer, stress and anxiety from knowing one has a slow-growing cancer that does not need treatment, and finally, the decision to undergo a treatment that is expensive and also more harmful than untreated prostate cancer.Talk to your doctor about whether prostate cancer screening is right for you.
About Charles N. Witten, MD
Dr. Witten
received his B.A. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1980. He subsequently completed his
medical education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in
1984. He returned to Philadelphia to complete his General Surgical and
Urological Surgery Residencies at the Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania from 1984 - 1990. The University of Pennsylvania's
Urological Surgery Residency is considered on of the top training
programs in the country. He served as chief resident his final year.
Dr. Witten joined Central Florida Urology Associates after completing
his residency in 1990. He has been board-certified by The American
Board of Urology since 1992.
Dr. Witten
has served on numerous hospital committees including chairmanships of
surgical peer review and credentials committees. He has served on the
Education Committee for the Seminole County Medical Society. From
2002-2005, he served as Chairman of the Department of Urology at
Florida. During his tenure, the hospital procured the DaVinci Robot to
perform robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery.
Dr.
Witten's particular areas of interest include prostate, bladder and
renal cancers; urinary incontinence; erectile dysfunction with emphasis
on penile implant surgery; male infertility; microscopic surgery
including vasectomy reversal; DaVinci robotic radical prostatectomy;
laparoscopic urological surgery, and management of Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia with minimally invasive techniques including microwave
thermotherapy and green light laser Photo-vaporization (PVP) of the
prostate.
Dr. Witten
is an active member of The American Urological Society, The American
Association of Clinical Urologist, The American Fertility Society, The
Florida Urological Society and The Seminole County Medical Society. He
is married with four children and resides in Lake Mary, Florida.
Featured Specialist for Prostate Cancer Screening in Lake Mary, FL
Call Now: (407) 287-5443 210 Rinehart RoadSuite 1000Lake Mary, FL 32746
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More Services from Charles N. Witten, MD
- Female Incontinence
- Peyronie's Disease Treatment
- Vasectomy Reversal
- Male Infertility
- Urologic Oncology
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Urinary Incontinence
- Kidney Stones
- Benign Prostatic Hyperlasia
- da Vinci for Prostatectomy
- Impotence
- Incontinence Treatment
- Kidney Cancer Treatment
- Kidney Stones Treatment
- Laparoscopy
- Penile Procedures
- Prostate Ultrasound and Biopsy
- Prostatitis (Chronic Pelvic Pain)
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Vasectomy
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