Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer Screening

You Have Nothing To Lose By Taking A Prostate Cancer Screening Test; Or Do You?

At a certain age men must decide whether or not to undergo prostate cancer screening tests that will help determine the exact level of PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen in their blood; when the PSA level rises so too do the risks of developing prostate cancer. Furthermore, when the results of a PSA blood test indicate elevated levels of PSA it is then necessary to undergo a number of biopsies of the prostate. In case cancer is detected it will mean having to find a suitable treatment for the condition.

Will It Save Lives?

Some of the more common prostate cancer treatments available include surgery as well as external or internal radiotherapy and even ultrasound. However, before selecting a treatment option it also means needing to undergo prostate cancer screening; many people however wonder whether or not such screening tests will be of much help in saving lives or not. The fact of the matter is that only quite recently the US Preventive Services Task force issued recommendations in regard to whether or not it will benefit you to get prostate cancer screening tests done.

According to these recommendations, it is unwise for men over the age of seventy-five to undergo prostate cancer screening because of absence of any proof that treatment of prostate cancer in patients of that age will indeed help save their lives; or, even increase their lifespan. Furthermore, these same guidelines mention that there is no way to conclude whether or not prostate cancer screening will actually even help persons who are aged below seventy-five.

Opponents of prostate cancer screening argue that there are many dangers to performing these tests including side effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence and more. According to them, these downsides far outweigh the benefits such as increased lifespan. It is really up to the individual to decide whether or not prostate cancer screening is beneficial to their health.

In any case, according to American Cancer Society Guidelines, the prostate cancer screening must be offered to those males that have attained fifty years of age and who have a reasonable chance of living for another ten years. In addition, it is also recommended that prior to administering the prostate cancer screening test, the patient must be informed about the pros and cons of the test so that they can decide whether to proceed or not.

It is also necessary to understand another form of prostate cancer; benign prostatic hyperplasia or enlarged prostate is something that affects men in their middle to late years. In regard to whether it is wise to get a prostate cancer screening test done or not you will do well to consult with a medical healthcare professional to find out whether relative advantages outweigh the relative disadvantages; if so, then you can go ahead and get the prostate cancer screening test done.