According to the CDC, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among men of all races.
2017 is the latest year for which CDC incidence data are available. In the United States, 207,430 new cases of prostate cancer were reported among men, and 30,486 men died of this cancer.
Prostate cancer symptoms vary but can include the following:
difficulty starting urination,
weak or interrupted flow of urine,
difficulty emptying the bladder completely,
pain during urination,
blood in the urine, and more.
Recommendations for Prostate Cancer Screening according to physicians at the Cleveland Clinic
While there is no information yet available that can tell us whether screening for prostate cancer makes a difference in how long a patient will live after his prostate cancer is discovered, we still recommend following screening guidelines.
The following should be offered annually:
Annual digital rectal exam (DRE) and PSA counseling for all men beginning at age 45 – 50 who have at least a 10-year life expectancy.
Annual DRE and PSA counseling beginning at age 40 for African-Americans and those with a positive family history of prostate cancer.
The American College of Physicians recommends that all men who are considering DRE and PSA counseling should consider the following:
The benefits of one-time or repeated screening and aggressive treatment of prostate cancer have not yet been proven.
Digital rectal examination (DRE) and PSA measurement can both have false-positive and false-negative results.
The probability that further invasive evaluation will be required as a result of testing is relatively high.
Aggressive therapy is necessary to realize any benefit from the discovery of a tumor.
A small risk for early death and a significant risk for chronic illness, particularly with regard to sexual and urinary function, are associated with these treatments.
Early treatment may save lives.
Early detection and treatment may head-off future cancer-related illness
Source: Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/cancer/patient-education/wellness-prevention/screening-guidelines
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