Prostate Cancer Screening in Effingham, Illinois (IL)
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 David W. McNichols, MD, FACS
Dr. David W. McNichols is a board certified urologist dedicated to comprehensive urologic care. Dr. McNichols performs surgery for many urological conditions including kidney stones, prostate cancer, urinary conditions, incontinence, and bladder cancer. Dr. McNichols taught as Assistant Professor or Urology at Texas A & M University School. He is a member of many professional associations including the American Urological Association Medicine.
Featured Specialist for Prostate Cancer Screening in Effingham, IL
David W. McNichols, MD, FACS
Call Now: (217) 342-9738
414 West Virginia Avenue Effingham, IL 62401
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