Early Diagnosis, Treatment Matter with Prostate Cancer

1. Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in American men. It is estimated that some 160,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States in the coming year alone. Some 26,000 men will die from this disease. Although recommendations in regard to routine screen having changed in recent years, men will still find that early detection and treatment remaincritical concerns. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force took the prostate-specific antigen blood test out of the routine screening loop a few years ago. This decision was made to help men avoid the potential for false positives that can go along with this simple blood draw. Unfortunately, no satisfactory replacement test has been found since the decision was made. With no readily available replacement, many doctors fear that men are going undiagnosed and hat rates of metastatic prostate cancer may soon start to climb as a result of declining screening. To be sure, the task force took the PSA off the table with good intentions. Prostate cancer is known to be generally low risk and rather slow growing. That doesn’t mean, however, that all cases are relatively low in aggression. Some tumors simply pose higher risk. That fact, many doctors say, makes the need for screening still quite important because even higher risk tumors can often be treated quite successfully if they are detected and acted upon in their earlier stages.

2. So, what should men do to safeguard themselves in a climate where screening recommendations have changed? The best bet is for men to talk openly to their doctors about their personal prostate cancer risks and any potential symptoms they may have been experienced. Problems with urination, for example, may signal a concern. The PSA does remain available for early screening, but men and their doctors generally have to request it. Since all men are at risk for prostate cancer as they age, it is important to have a frank talk about risks, preventions and the benefits of screening. Early detection can and does save lives.