Is a Prostate Cancer Screening Right for You?

According to the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly, and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm.  A simple cancer screening test—like the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which looks for signs of prostate cancer—could save your life.

Prostate cancer screening tests are not appropriate for everyone. Current recommendations for prostate cancer screening are largely based on a man’s age and risk factors. The American Urological Association’s guidelines are as follows:

• PSA screening in men under age 40 years is not recommended; routine screening in men between ages 40 to 54 years at average risk is also not recommended. Additionally, routine PSA screening is not recommended in men over age 70 or any man with less than a 10-15 year life expectancy.
• Shared decision-making is recommended for men age 55 to 69 years that are considering PSA screening, and proceeding based on patients' values and preferences.
• To reduce the harms of screening, a routine screening interval of two years or more may be preferred over annual screening in those men who have participated in shared decision-making and decided on screening.  

Health Advocate offers the following resources so you can learn more about prostate cancer and early detection:

The Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC) can help you locate a screening facility near you. Go to http://www.prostateconditions.org/screening-site/. Many hospitals offer periodic free cancer screening. Check with your local hospital to see if they offer this service.

The American Cancer Society provides information about early detection for prostate cancer and who may be at greater risk. To learn more, go to http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/moreinformation/prostatecancerearlydetection/prostate-cancer-early-detection-finding-prostate-cancer-early

The Prostate Cancer Foundation provides information about the disease, treatment options, clinical trials, information for families and caregivers, and much more. To learn more, go to http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5814039/k.9645/For_Families_and_Caregivers.htm

The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health offers what you need to know about prostate cancer staging tests, treatment, and questions to ask the doctor. Visit http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate

There are also prostate cancer support groups that offer a variety of resources to men and their families. For example, Us TOO http://www.ustoo.com/ helps men and their families make informed decisions about prostate cancer detection and treatment through support and education.

Talk to your doctor about whether getting a prostate cancer screening test is right for you. Don’t have a doctor lined up? If you’re a Health Advocate member, call us today to speak to a Personal Health Advocate who can help you locate an in-network, local, primary care physician, plus help you schedule an appointment and/or transfer your medical records.

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Screening information and more

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  Let's take a look at the basics of prostate cancer, screening procedures to detect prostate cancer early on, and resources to help you or a loved one who is dealing with prostate cancer.

The basics:

• Only men can get prostate cancer.  The prostate is a walnut-sized organ located just underneath the bladder and in front of the rectum in men.
• What are possible symptoms of prostate cancer?  FamilyDoctor.org provides a list of possible prostate cancer symptoms.  Keep in mind that many of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions.
• How common is prostate cancer?  Besides skin cancer, it is the most common type of cancer that affects American men.

Screening:

• There are benefits and risks to being screened for prostate cancer.  According to the CDC, the biggest benefit is that prostate cancer could be found early, potentially making treatment easier.  The risks include dealing with a "false positive" test result, treating prostate cancer that may never affect your health, or dealing with the side effects from prostate cancer treatment.
• Who should be screened?  The American Cancer Society recommends that at age 50, men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and who are expected to live at least ten more years discuss with their doctor whether or not they should be screened.
• Where can you get screened?  Zero, The Project to End Prostate Cancer is offering free screenings at drives around the country.  Click here to find the drive nearest you (or learn how to bring a drive to your community), and click here to find out what to expect at the drive.  You can also get screened by your primary care physician or urologist.
• There are two types of tests most commonly used to screen for prostate cancer.  A prostate   specific antigen test (PSA) measures the level of PSA--created by the prostate--in the blood.  Someone's PSA level could be higher if he has cancer--but higher levels are also caused by other conditions such as an enlarged prostate or a prostate infection.
• The other commonly used test is a digital rectal exam (DRE).  A doctor or nurse examines the size and shape of the prostate.
• What happens if test results are abnormal?  Further testing will need to be done to determine if cancer is present.

Resources:

• If you're the patient...  Zero, The Project to End Prostate Cancer published a good list of resources for concerns that you may be dealing with during your treatment.
• You are not alone.  Check out this list of prostate cancer support groups that you can use to connect to others going through situations similar to yours.
• If your loved one has prostate cancer...  Click here for resources and information to help you understand and cope with the situation.

Whether you're the patient or the loved one of a patient, consider reaching out to an advocacy service to help you during this challenging time.  A service like Health Advocate or Health Proponent can help locate a primary care physician or urologist who can perform a prostate cancer screening, can set up the appointment and/or arrange for transportation to and from the appointment, can get a patient a second opinion on recommended treatment, help untangle confusing medical bills, and so much more.