Is prostate cancer screening available?
Preventive screening is one of the most important factors in catching prostate cancer early. If you are a man between the ages of 55 and 70, you should speak with your doctor about regular prostate cancer screenings. Results of screening tests, as well as your risk factors, will determine how often you need prostate cancer screenings.
A prostate cancer screening may include:
- Digital rectal exam (DRE) –during this test, your doctor will insert a gloved finger into the rectum to check the prostate for swelling, hardness or small bumps (nodules).
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test –this is a blood test that checks for levels of PSA, a protein that is made by prostate cells. It is important to note that a high level of PSA in the blood does not necessarily mean a man has prostate cancer, as PSA levels naturally increase with age.
- All current genomic testing.
You’ve got to get checked out, and if you’re diligent about it, you may just be early enough to get the easier treatment.