One of the most common questions that people ask is whether they should order the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for routine annual prostate cancer screening. Most cases of prostate cancer are uniquely slow-moving. Interestingly, it’s possible to live a healthy life despite having prostate cancer even if it’s not being treated. Such a condition is called active surveillance. However, some prostate cancer cases might pose an immediate threat and hence they need to be treated fast. To understand more about prostate cancer symptoms and causes, continue reading below.

Everything about Prostate Cancer Screening

There is a fair controversy regarding the risks associated with prostate cancer screening as well as its benefits. This particular screening process’s benefits include the opportunity of early detection, which in turn, offers a better chance to cure the ailment. Even if your prostate cancer doesn’t require treatment, everything becomes clear as a result of the screening.

Perfect screening age

Now, you might be wondering when you must start the screening procedure. Well, the entire decision depends on individual risks. If you’re a man and have no unusual prostate-related symptoms, the perfect age to begin screening is illustrated below:

Depending on your ethnicity, the perfect age for starting prostate cancer screening is subjected to fluctuate:    

• If you have a family history of prostate cancer, the right age to start screening would be 40 years.
• If you are an African American, the perfect age for screening would be 45 years.
• In case you don’t have any family history of prostate cancer and additionally, if you’re not African American, the right age would be 50 years.
• Discuss with your doctor in case you are more than 55-69 years old.
• Screening is not at all recommended for people above 70 years of age.

This particular chart takes into consideration the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations issued back in 2017.

Things to remember

It must be understood that all of these recommendations only apply to screen, which means the testing of healthy men who don’t come across any of the disease symptoms. In case you have any symptoms, you must consult with your doctor and determine what steps you should follow next.

Ultimately, it must be remembered that the PSA screening decisions must be based on a case-by-case basis and after thorough discussion between the doctor and patients, only after the full examination of certain risk factors. Interestingly, doctors have recently discovered that numerous prostate cancers are genetic; which implies that they have been inherited through families.

When to opt for prostate cancer screening?

Most of the doctors recommend screening because according to them, cases of prostate cancer that are found very early are more likely to be cured more quickly. Additionally, they have fewer chances of spread or relapse. The introduction of PSA screening has led to an increase in the number of prostate cancer diagnosed every year. However, most of the newly discovered cases are non-aggressive or low-risk in nature. Now, when is the right time to start screening depends on multiple factors. This includes the patient’s level of risk, and his overall health, along with his life expectancy, as well as his desire for eventual treatment. Consult with your doctor for a better decision.