Prostate Cancer Screening – What 9 Categories Of Men Need To Know?

Getting screened for early symptoms of cancer would appear the most apt decision to take, considering the aspect of early detection. However research has revealed that screening do not always prolong life span and could actually lead to belligerent and needless follow-up testing or treatments that could potentially lead to incontinence and impotency among those men. Some of the doctors think that the test would be more harmful that useful for certain kinds of men.

Factually, novel instructions lately released by the USPSTF (United States Preventive Services Task Force) suggest that men that are 75 years or above omit the test in case they have no reason to doubt that they are in the high risk bracket. In case of men less than 75 years, the USPSTF conclude that there is dearth of plausible proof to suggest either going in for or not to get screened.

Medical groups like the American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association support the viewpoint that all men in good health need to begin getting screened as they turn 50. While the American Academy of Family Physicians have taken a doubtful stand about the test and have encouraged on those men to go for it who have carefully weighed the risks associated with the test.

With such contradictory advice, how would one be able to finally decide what is the right thing to do? Majority of the doctors concur that certain risk aspects like the man’s age, race, general health condition and family history don crucial decisive parts.

Below stated are 9 different kinds of men and what would appear apposite in those circumstances. As there might be some men in unique situations, hence it is imperative to discuss with one’s doctor and gather as much of information about PSA tests prior to taking any decision.

1. An eighty-five year old man having major health issues – Majority of the doctors would suggest not undergoing screening in such situation. Even the USPSTF has specified via its guidelines to dissuade such men from getting PSA tests. Generally, experts advise men having life expectation of less than a decade to not go in for the tests, as a prostate tumor that surfaces that late in life would not probably turn life-threatening. This is particularly true among men ailing from chronic health conditions like heart ailment or having diabetes.
2. An 85-year old man in good health, robust and has kin members having long life expectancy – Several doctors would still advice not to go in for the PSA tests. One needs to be wary about the fact that several doctors, fearful of indictment would advice PSA tests among elderly patients, in spite of it not being any major help to them. A significant study that was printed in the Journal of the American Medical Association during 2006 identified that nearly 36% of elderly individuals past the age of 85 were screened despite the fact that lesser than ten percent of them had a life expectancy of more than a decade.
3. A seventy-five year old Afro - American in good health having a father and younger aged brother that have died due to quick-spreading prostate cancer – The rising age might argue not in favour of screening, but if one is healthy and have potential for longevity then one could get tested. Additionally, Afro-American men are observed to be at heightened risk of contracting belligerent kinds of prostate cancer. As one’s family history puts one at greater risk, hence it is necessary to ensure that the doctor elucidates the pros and cons of the PSA tests after taking into consideration the patient’s profile.
4. An overweight seventy year old man, in good health, of South Asian origin and having no family past of prostate cancer – This could be dicey; however, if one feels healthy enough to happily tread through a decade or more of life, then it might be worth mulling over getting the test done. Conversely, men of South Asian origin are observed to have lesser likelihood of developing prostate cancer in comparison to other ethnic sets. But, if they do develop it, it is mostly a predominantly belligerent and deadly kind of prostate cancer.
5. A sixty-five year old man in good health having a family past of prostate cancer – The family past and good health could imply that a PSA screening could be advisable. However, if there has been a family relative, who had died due to an aggressive cancer, particularly in a young age, is a matter of concern and raises the exigency to get a PSA test. However, if a kin member who had developed a non-fatal prostate tumor in later stage of life is a less bothersome aspect.
6. A fifty plus man, just married, intends to father kids, valuing a vibrant sex life and has a father who has prostate cancer – Different doctors might offer you with conflicting, diverse opinions. One doctor might instantly recommend the test without the need to discuss it on the grounds of one having a family past and apparently desires to take all possible steps to keep away from cancer. Yet another doctor would advice to avoid the test as the unnecessary procedure could likely hinder sex life. Another doctor would discuss the pros and cons of the PSA screening and leave the final decision on to the patient. In case one does get screened and are detected with cancer, then one might –under the vigilant care of a doctor – be able to put off the belligerent treatment for some years, during which time periods one could have children.
7. A fifty year old man in good health having no prostate cancer history – Several doctors suggest screening for keeping tabs on the baseline PSA and to track it over a span of years. This would assist both the person and the doctor to be able to identify any precariously swift rise.
8. A forty-five year old man of Caucasian origin having nervousness problems -In such a situation, it would be best to defer the test till later. Also being lesser than fifty years, one could still postpone till 50 years, which is the age recommended by majority of the medical groups for undergoing screening. Additionally, coming to know the details of the PSA might tend to take a mental toll on one who is more prone to having frayed nerves. In case PSA screening is done, one might land up fretting about the more-than-anticipated scores even when it would not truly indicate the presence of cancer. An enlarged prostate is quite prevalent among elderly men and could lead to increased scores.
9. A forty year old man of Afro-American origin – This race puts one at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Factually, the American Urological Association suggests that African-Americans must commence undergoing screening once they reach forty years; it suggests men belonging to other backgrounds start getting screened from fifty years of age.

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