When it comes to men’s health, prostate cancer often doesn't get the attention it deserves — until it’s too late. As the second most common cancer among men in the United States, prostate cancer affects about 1 in 8 men during their lives.
The good news? When it’s caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable. That’s why regular screening is one of the most important steps men can take for their long-term health.
This Men’s Health Month, our team at Advanced Urology is taking the opportunity to talk about why prostate cancer screening matters so much, and how to determine when it’s time to start screening. In our offices in Culver City, Los Angeles, Redondo Beach, and San Pedro, California, we specialize in prostate health. Here’s what you need to know.
The prostate is a small gland that’s part of the male reproductive system. It sits below your bladder and surrounds part of your urethra, and it helps produce the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
Prostate cancer happens when abnormal cells in your prostate grow uncontrollably. Most prostate cancers grow slowly, but some can be aggressive and spread to other parts of your body quickly if they’re not detected and treated in early stages.
Early-stage prostate cancer rarely causes noticeable symptoms. As the cancer progresses, it might cause symptoms like difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen, or pelvic discomfort — but you shouldn’t wait until you notice symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may already be more advanced and harder to treat.
Prostate cancer differs from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), another common prostate condition. BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of your prostate gland that can cause urinary symptoms but doesn’t spread to other parts of your body and isn’t life-threatening.
The goal of prostate cancer screening is to catch cancer as early as possible. And because prostate cancer doesn’t cause obvious symptoms early on, proactive screening is essential to protecting your health.
Identifying cancer before symptoms appear typically means that it’s still confined to your prostate and generally will be easier to treat. Research shows that PSA screening can reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer, especially for those at higher risk.
Detecting cancer early opens up more treatment options, including active surveillance, radiation, and surgery. In many cases, prostate cancer can be managed successfully with minimal impact on quality of life.
The two main screening tools for prostate cancer are:
A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test measures the level of PSA in your blood. Elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer or another prostate condition that necessitates further investigation.
A DRE is a physical exam during which your doctor inserts a gloved finger into your rectum and checks your prostate for lumps or abnormalities.
Both of these tests are quick, safe, and potentially lifesaving. If your test results are abnormal, we can discuss your options and recommend further evaluation like imaging or a biopsy as needed.
The right time to start prostate cancer screening depends on a few factors, including your age, family history, race, and overall health. In general, we recommend that men discuss screening with their health care team beginning around age 50 and plan to get a screening every one to two years.
If you’re Black or have a family history of prostate cancer, you might benefit from starting screenings as early as age 40 to 45 or getting screened more frequently. Men over 70 or those with limited life expectancy may not need routine screening, but it’s still worth a conversation with your doctor.
This Men’s Health Month, make preventive care a priority. Prostate cancer screening may feel uncomfortable to talk about, but it’s a simple step that could save your life. So whether you’re due for your first screening or just want to learn more, we’re here to help. Call us at 310-670-9119 or book online to get started.
