How Do Men Feel About The Rectal Exam
I think most men are willing to do it, but some men are exceptionally opposed to it. They might be happy to hear that there are studies ongoing in the United Kingdom looking at using magnetic resonance imaging as a screening tool to be able to avoid doing a digital rectal exam in the future. There is a large African immigrant population in London with a higher incidence of prostate cancerthey didnt want to have the prostate exam because they had a lot of opposition to it. They were uncomfortable with it.
Too Old For A Prostate Exam
Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for men in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 41 men will die from prostate cancer in the US, which is shocking when you consider that prostate cancer is relatively easy to cure if detected early. This has led to a large movement to bring awareness to prostate cancer and other prostate-related issues with the hope to reduce deaths among men and generate more money for research.
Prostate cancer and breast cancer share many similarities: both are the leading form of cancer in the respective gender however, breast cancer receives far more attention and funding than prostate cancer. The goal of the prostate awareness movement is not to take away from breast cancer funding or awareness, but rather to increase awareness and funding for prostate cancer.
How Often Should I Get A Prostate Exam
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men. Early detection is crucial for treatment success. Prostate exams screen for abnormalities that may indicate cancer. The cause of Prostate cancer is not yet known. If youre unsure about whether or not you need to get a Prostate exam, please talk to your doctor wholl be able to advise you about the possible risks and benefits. When it comes to your health, it is important to have all the facts and information to make an informed decision.
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If You Have Had Urinary Problems
Irrespective of your age, if you are experiencing urinary problems such as blood in your urine or urinary tract infections, you should visit a urologist. These are symptoms of serious medical conditions that require a medical professional for treatment. Urinary issues result from different issues, and determining the underlying cause of the problem is the best option for your health.
If you have any urinary issues such as pain in your testicle or penis, painful urination, urethral discharge, blood in your urine, etc., the wise decision is to see a urologist. Other instances that might necessitate an appointment with your urologist include:
- Hematuria
- Erectile dysfunction
Early Cancer Detection Can Save Lives And Cut Treatment Costs But When Should You Start Having Prostate Exams And Do You Need To Have Them At All
When it comes to screening for prostate cancer, some men may be confused or apprehensive about beginning to get annual exams.
As prostate cancer affects one out of every six men, the American Cancer Society and other leading medical organizations recommend older men discuss having annual prostate cancer screenings with their primary care doctor to help detect the disease early. Early detection of the disease helps cure it in 90 percent of cases.
Generally, it is recommended that men with an average risk of prostate cancer start being screened with a digital rectal exam and PSA blood-level exam when they hit the age of 50. African-American men and men who have a father, brother or son who were diagnosed with prostate cancer when they were younger than 65 are at higher risk and should start screenings at age 40. Men who have had more than one of these close relatives diagnosed before age 65 are at even higher risk.
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Should You Get A Prostate Exam
Ideally, you should discuss the pros and cons of getting a prostate exam with your doctor.
Cancer screening has risks you need to understand before starting the process.
One of them is overdiagnosis and experiencing undesired side effects of prostate biopsies.
There are more risks than benefits in prostate exams for patients above 70 years.
Thats why they are often advised against screening.
After 55 years, patients with urinary symptoms should get screened.
Those with a family history of prostate cancer may also require screening .
At What Age Should You Get Screened For Prostate Cancer
The following prostate cancer screening guidelines apply to men expected to live at least ten years.
Men ages 45 to 49 should have a baseline PSA test.
- If the PSA level is 3 ng / mL or higher, men should talk with their doctor about having a biopsy of the prostate.
- If the PSA level is between 1 and 3 ng / mL, men should see their doctor for another PSA test every two to four years.
- If the PSA level is less than 1 ng / mL, men should see their doctor for another PSA test between the ages of 51 and 55.
Men ages 50 to 59 should have their PSA level checked.
- If the PSA level is 3 ng / mL or higher, men should talk with their doctor about having a biopsy of the prostate.
- If the PSA level is between 1 and 3 ng / mL, men should see their doctor for another PSA test every two to four years.
- If the PSA level is less than 1 ng / mL, men should see their doctor for another PSA test at age 60.
Men ages 60 to 70 should have their PSA level checked.
- If the PSA level is 3 ng / mL or higher, men should talk with their doctor about having a biopsy of the prostate.
- If the PSA level is between 1 and 3 ng / mL, men should see their doctor for another PSA test every two to four years.
- If the PSA level is less than 1 ng / mL, no further screening is recommended.
Men ages 71 to 75 should talk with their doctor about whether to have a PSA test. This decision should be based on past PSA levels and the health of the man.
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Is Surgery Effective For Men With Early
When they hear the word cancer, many men want it treated immediately no matter how slow it is growing or how unlikely it is to be fatal. The question is: if found in its early stages, should prostate cancer be treated?
In July 2012, a study by researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, examining the effectiveness of surgery in men with early-stage prostate cancer.16 Known as the Prostate Cancer Intervention versus Observation Trial, or PIVOT, the study compared surgical removal of the prostate with no prostate cancer treatment. The 731 men who participated in the study, with an average age of 67, were randomly assigned to one of the two groups and followed for 8 to 15 years. All the men were enrolled between 1994 and 2002, with a final check-up taking place in 2010. Men in both groups went to the doctor every six months during the study, and men in the observation-only group were offered palliative therapy or chemotherapy to relieve symptoms due to the cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Neither therapy can eliminate the cancer and, therefore, are not treatments.
Since prostate cancer treatment can cause serious side effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, active monitoring seems to be a reasonable option.
All articles are reviewed and approved by Dr. Diana Zuckerman and other senior staff.
References
Reach Out To Us Today
Prostate screenings are crucial to have so that men can catch any signs of prostate cancer early on. Once a man reaches the ages of 40 and above, it is best that he begins to consult with a doctor about this test.
If you have questions about getting a prostate screening and the importance of them, then reach out to our office so that we can help you further. Give us a call or stop by our office today and wed be happy to assist you in any way that we can.
Request an appointment here: or call Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care at for an appointment in our Passaic office.
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How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed
If youve had a PSA test and the results show that your levels are high, you may need a prostate biopsy to figure out the cause.
A biopsy is when tissue samples are taken from your prostate gland. Those samples are then sent to a lab for testing to see if there are any cancerous cells.
But its important to know that theres no one-size-fits-all process here. If there is a cancer concern, youll work with your doctor to determine what the best next steps for you are, which may include active surveillance for a time. Active surveillance involves close monitoring, but no treatment until testing shows a change in your condition.
Screening: Safe And Painless Way To Detect Prostate Cancer
A simple blood test called a prostate specific antigen test and a digital rectal exam are currently the best screening methods available for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer screening is safe and painless and can detect prostate cancer early, when it is most treatable.
However, prostate cancer screening is not for everyone. You should know:
- Some prostate cancers are slow-growing and there is a chance that slow-growing disease may never affect a mans health.
- Prostate cancer screening detects the presence of cancer it will not show if a cancer is slow-growing or aggressive. Only a qualified physician can make that determination.
- The test result could be inaccurate or unclear, leading to unnecessary anxiety, another test, or a biopsy or treatment you dont need. Talk to your doctor about benefits and risks before you decide to be screened.
- Treatment can be life-saving. However, it may cause temporary or long-lasting side effects, such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction
- If a screening shows you have prostate cancer, its important to talk with a prostate cancer specialist who can help you evaluate your options and make the choice thats right for you.
Before you decide to be screened, talk with your doctor about whether and when prostate cancer screening is right for you. If you dont have a doctor, please call 1-800-DOCTORS. Well be happy to help.
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Prostate Exam Every 4 Years
The current guidelines of the American Cancer Society recommend that men over age 50 should be “offered” a prostate exam every year
The Story: A new European study has shown that a thorough screening for prostate cancer every 4 years is adequate. The screening comprises a PSA blood test, a digital rectal exam, and a transrectal ultrasound. “Very few, if any, aggressive prostate cancers escape screening….”
It looks as if the American Cancer Society guidelines for prostate cancer screening may be changing. Transurethral ultrasound is a procedure used to examine the prostate. An instrument is inserted into the rectum, and sound waves bounce off the prostate. These soundwaves create echoes, which a computer uses to create a picture called a sonogramof the prostate.
Prostate Cancer Screening Interval of 4 Years Misses Few Cancers, StudyShows
Linda Wang, AssistantNews Editor, Katherine Arnold, News Editor, Journal of the National CancerInstitute
A 4-year screening interval was adequate to detect most cancers ina large European randomized trial of prostate cancer screening, accordingto a study in the October 1 issue of the Journal of the NationalCancer Institute.
In the study, men were divided into two groups: an intervention group that received two scheduled screens 4 years apart, and a control group that did not receive scheduled screening. The researchers checked the Dutch national cancer registry annually for cases ofprostate cancer among the study participants.
Should I Get Screened For Prostate Cancer
This video helps men understand their prostate cancer screening options.
In 2018, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force made the following recommendations about prostate cancer screeningexternal icon
- Men who are 55 to 69 years old should make individual decisions about being screened for prostate cancer with a prostate specific antigen test.
- Before making a decision, men should talk to their doctor about the benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer, including the benefits and harms of other tests and treatment.
- Men who are 70 years old and older should not be screened for prostate cancer routinely.
This recommendation applies to men who
- Are at average risk for prostate cancer.
- Are at increased risk for prostate cancer.
Other organizations, like the American Urological Association,external icon the American Cancer Society,external icon and the American College of Physiciansexternal icon may have other recommendations.
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What Is A Prostate
This prostate cancer screening test measures the level of PSA in your blood.
PSA is a protein made by cells of the prostate gland. While PSA is mostly found in semen, a small amount is also found in blood. As the PSA level goes up, so does the chance of cancer.
But its important to know that a higher PSA level doesnt necessarily mean you have cancer. Several factors such as age, prostate size, sexual activity and inflammation can affect PSA levels in men.
What Will Happen At My First Prostate Exam
This largely depends on the nature of the consult. If youve never had a prostate exam before, it would often involve the GP taking a thorough history of your health background, examination and tests.
PSA is likely the most common form of test, and simply involves a blood test.
The test that many men feel nervous about is called a DRE however it is no longer recommended as an initial screening test for prostate cancer. Only if you begin exhibiting signs or symptoms synonymous with prostate cancer, is your doctor likely to refer you on for further test / specialist consultation.
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How Often Should Men Have A Prostate Screening
A prostate screening is extremely important to have regularly. Because, without them, a mans health is at a high risk of developing prostate cancer. Knowing how often prostate screenings should be had can be helpful to those men who are not sure.
A mans health is just as important to maintain as a womans. But most people are under the assumption that womens health needs more attention. However, that is not true. Men are at risk of developing prostate cancer, and it can become very problematic if not addressed.
Keep reading to find out how often a man should have a prostate screening.
Who Should Get A Digital Rectal Exam
Not all medical institutions agree on when men should begin screening for prostate cancer or even if a DRE should be part of the screening.
To help detect prostate cancer in its early stages, the American Cancer Society recommends that men talk to their doctors about the benefits, risks, and limitations of prostate cancer screening before deciding whether to be tested.
For most men at average risk, discussions about screening begin at age 50. However, some doctors recommend that men at higher risk of prostate cancer — African-American men or men with a family history of prostate cancer — start screening earlier.
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Preparing For A Prostate Exam
Theres nothing special that you need to do to prepare for a prostate exam. Tell your doctor if you have anal fissures or hemorrhoids, as a DRE may aggravate these conditions.
If you decide to get a prostate cancer screening, your doctor will likely order a blood test, so inform the person drawing your blood if youre prone to dizziness.
Your doctor may ask you to sign a consent form before performing a cancer screening.
Is It Time You Booked A Prostate Exam
Prostate checks are a part of life for most adult men. Its a necessary step to ensure that you stay on top of your health and become aware of any abnormalities before they evolve into serious problems.
For many men, it can be a nervous time. General Practitioner, Dr Sir-Kit Leong, from SmartClinics Clayfield in Brisbane has answered some of the most frequently asked questions by patients. Take a read and if youre still unsure, book an appointment with your GP for a chat before committing.
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How Can I Make My Prostate Gland Strong
5 steps to better prostate health
Prostate Cancer Screening Ages 55 To 69
This is the age range where men will benefit the most from screening.Thats because this is the time when:
- Men are most likely to get cancer
- Treatment makes the most sense, meaning when treatment benefits outweigh any potential risk of treatment side effects
Most men will get prostate cancer if they live long enough. Some prostatecancers are more aggressive others can be slow-growing. Doctors will takeyour age and other factors into consideration before weighing the risks andbenefits of treatment.
You should ask your doctor how often he or she recommends you get screened.For most men, every two to three years is enough.
Depending on the results of your first PSA test, your doctor may recommendyou get screened less frequently.
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