“A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.” – John Wayne
If you have a “That’ll-be-the day!” attitude about seeing a doctor, you may chalk it up to your “True Grit” personality. But when it comes to your prostate, listen to advice from the toughest of all tough guys, John Wayne: “A man ought to do what he thinks is right.”
The following information can help you learn more about prostate cancer screening, so you can do the right thing for your health.
Prostate Pointers
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below a man’s bladder that produces fluid for semen. Unlike most parts of your body, it keeps growing through adulthood. By age 50 it’s commonly large enough to cause problems, including prostate cancer.*
An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is not cancer and does not raise your risk of developing cancer.* However, BPH and advanced prostate cancer share a major symptom: the need to get up and go several times a night.*
Two common tests are:
- The digital-rectal exam, or DRE – a doctor feels for lumps on the prostate through the rectum.
- The prostate-specific antigen blood test – measures a substance in the blood that the prostate produces.
The American Urological Association recommends:
- PSA screening in men under age 40 years is not recommended.
- Routine screening in men between ages 40 to 54, at average risk, is not recommended.
- For men ages 55 to 69, the decision to undergo PSA screening involves weighing the benefits of preventing prostate cancer mortality in one man for every 1,000 men screened over a decade against the known potential harms associated with screening and treatment. For this reason, shared decision-making is recommended for men ages 55 to 69 that are considering PSA screening, taking into consideration patients’ values and preferences.
- Routine PSA screening is not recommended in men over age 70 or any man with less than a 10- to 15-year life expectancy.
- PSA screening is recommended for men with a family history or high risk, or those of African heritage.
Should You Saddle Up for Screening?
If you’re over 50, it’s time to saddle up and talk to your doctor about prostate screening.
You may decide against it, but consider it if:
- You’ve never been screened for prostate cancer before.
- You haven’t had regular, annual exams.
- You have a family history of prostate cancer.
Do What You Think Is Right
You can only do what you think is right if you’re willing to give up the “Quiet Man” role and talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening. If you need help finding a doctor, visit the Steward DoctorFinder™ or call 1-800-488-5959.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
