Prostate screenings can help find some types of prostate cancer early on, and therefore make it easier to treat. So, it may seem like an easy decision for men to get a routine prostate screening once they reach a certain age.
However, prostate screenings aren’t right for every man, and, in fact, some of the risks of cancer screenings may outweigh the benefits. Some risks include screenings missing cancer, and the inability of the screening to determine if the cancer is going to grow slowly or quickly. Prostate cancer interventions also come with their own set of risks and benefits.
Signs You Need a Prostate Screening
At Generations Family Practice, we want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision about getting a prostate cancer screening. We recommend having a conversation with your physician about a prostate cancer screening if you are a man who is:
- Age 40 or older with a higher than average risk of developing prostate cancer (you are African American or you have a father, brother or son that was diagnosed with prostate cancer early on)
- Age 50 or older with an average risk of developing prostate cancer and you are expected to live at least 10 more years
Types of Screening Tests for Prostate Cancer
If you decide that you want to be tested for prostate cancer, one of our physicians will perform the following two tests:
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. This test checks the amount of a prostate-specific antigen in your blood. Usually, healthy men will present with levels that are less than four nanograms per milliliter of blood.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). During this test, a physician will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and feel for any hard areas or bumps on the prostate that need to be screened for cancer.
At Generations Family Practice, our physicians have years of experience performing prostate screenings, and you can rest assured knowing that you are in good hands. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment at our Cary location with one of our doctors, contact us today at (919) 852-3999. We look forward to giving you peace of mind about your prostate health!
Men from Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs and surrounding areas of NC visit Generations Family Practice for prostate screenings.
