Prostate cancer affects one in seven men and is the most common non-skin cancer in the United States. The best treatment for prostate cancer is early treatment. At Arkansas Urology, we recognize the importance of catching cancer cells early to know how to best treat the cancer.
It’s proven that the earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better the outcome will be. Screenings are an important part of early detection. Since prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has become available, the number of deaths from prostate cancer has decreased.
Two tests are used to detect prostate cancer. The digital rectal exam (DRE) is where the doctor examines the prostate through the rectum to find any nodules. The second test is a blood test to see the level of PSA. Elevated PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer. After the tests, your doctor may recommend a biopsy of the prostate if cancer is suspected.
The American Cancer Society recommends screening at age 50 for most men, those of average risk. If you’re a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and have a strong family history of prostate cancer, they recommend screening earlier. Our staff of doctors will be happy to sit down with you and determine the best time for you to be screened based on your risk factors.
After your initial screening, your results will depend on when the next screening is recommend. For men with a PSA of less than 2.5 ng/mL, testing many only need to be every two years. If the PSA level is 2.5 ng/mL or higher, the screening should be done annually. Whatever your PSA level may be, our highly-skilled physicians will develop a plan to follow up with you to detect any cancer as soon as possible. And if there is cancer present, immediate treatment may not be necessary. Sometimes the best course of action with this slow-growing cancer is carefully monitoring it.
If you think you may need to have a prostate cancer screening, contact us. Give us a call at 1-800-255-1762 to make an appointment.
