When Should You Have A Prostate Exam Uk

What Do You Say To Patients Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

Something I say to my patients a lot is that, in treating prostate cancer, we end up trying to extend your;quantity;of life at the cost of your;quality;of life. And so, at some point, if the quantity is extended a lot, and we can minimize the effect on quality, that makes sense, but the equation is different for every man. How much decrease in quality of life are you willing to accept if were going to extend your life?

Realistically, a lot of guys who are 70 dont have any sexual function;anyway, so thats not a huge loss for them. As men get older theres definitely an increased chance of having erectile dysfunction ; the guys who have sexual function over 70 are very keen on preserving it. Even for the guys who dont have good sexual function, who are on Viagra, for them its often even more important to preserve what sexual function they have.

When Is It Time To Stop Being Checked For Prostate Cancer

The answer depends on your current health and your level of concern about cancer.

Routine PSA testing to check for prostate cancer is no longer recommended for most men. But despite what the experts suggest, many men continue to opt for annual PSA tests. This includes a surprisingly large number of men in their 70s. In a recent study in the journal Cancer, more than half of a group of men 75 and older had PSA tests and biopsies.

These men have placed their hope in the value of early diagnosis and treatment, yet stand to gain less from PSA testing than younger men. Across all ages, routine PSA screening leads to life-saving treatment for cancer in about one in every 1,000 men screened.

When To Startand Stopscreening

The doctors and researchers who recommend screening argue that cases of prostate cancer found very early can be cured more quickly, with less chance of relapse or spread. Those who recommend against routine screening point to the slow-moving nature of prostate cancer and the side effects of surgical and medical treatment, which can be considerable.

The introduction of PSA screening in the US led to an initial increase in the number of prostate cancer cases diagnosed each year, even though many of these new cases were non-aggressive or low-risk prostate cancer. The issue was not that screening was harmful, it was that many of these low-risk cancers did not necessarily need immediate treatment. It seems strange to say that a patient might be better off leaving cancer untreated, but in some cases, it can be true. For a few years, the United States Preventative Services Task Force recommended against PSA screening. We are now seeing more cases of advanced prostate cancer diagnosed in recent years. This may be a long-tail effect of that USPSTF recommendation. It has now been changed to note that for men aged 55 to 69 years, the decision to undergo PSA screening is an individual one and should be discussed with your doctor. USPSTF continues to recommend against screening for men aged 70 and over.

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Questions To Think About Before Having A Psa Test

To help you make your decision, you could think about the following questions:

• What would you do if your PSA level is high?
• What would you do if further tests find that you have an early prostate cancer?
• What difference will it make for you to know about an early prostate cancer?

Before you decide whether to have the PSA test, you may want to talk to your GP about it. You can also call our cancer support specialists on 0808 808 00 00. They can discuss the options with you and send you more information.

Routine Tests For All

There are some examinations that everyone should undergo on an annual basis. Depending on the specific markers and symptoms you may be exhibiting, having a year to year baseline to compare your numbers to can be of great benefit to getting to the root of any medical problems. The routine tests everyone should undergo include:

Yearly screenings, even when you feel healthy are crucial to assessing our risk for future problems, can encourage a healthier lifestyle, allows you to build a relationship with your healthcare provider, update any vaccinations and of course, screen for any health issues you may be having at the moment.

Depending on whether you are male or female, there may be additional tests that you should also undergo.

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Prostate Cancer Screening Ages 40 To 54

The PSA test is a blood test that measures how much of a particular protein is in your blood. Its been the standardfor prostate cancer screening for 30 years.

Your doctor will consider many factors before suggesting when to startprostate cancer screening. But hell probably start by recommending the PSAtest.

While the general guidelines recommend starting at age 55, you may need PSAscreening between the ages of 40 and 54 if you:

• Have at least one first-degree relative who has had prostate cancer
• Have at least two extended family members who have had prostate cancer
• Are African-American, an ethnicity that has a higher risk of developing more aggressive cancers

What Will I Know Afterwards

A rectal exam can’t definitively diagnose prostate cancer. Only a biopsy can do that and you won’t be offered one if you don’t need it. Rectal exams are part of a suite of diagnostic tests, including PSA blood tests and MRI scans, that help to either build or break the case for further investigation.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer

If you notice any of the following symptoms, please see your doctor immediately.

• Erectile disfunction or other irregularities. If youre suddenly experiencing erectile dysfunction or having trouble performing sexually, it could be a sign of Prostate cancer.
• Blood in urine or semen. If theres any pain or burning sensation while urinating or you find blood in your urine or semen, please consult you doctor at once.
• Frequent urination. If you notice that youre urinating much more frequently, its worth discussing it with your doctor to find the probable cause.
• Any changes to your urination pattern, such as a weak flow, dribbling after urination or bladder obstruction need to be checked out as well.

As men age, the prostate can become enlarged and lead to some of the above problems. If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, please do not panic. Go see your doctor to get your Prostate checked to rule out cancer.

Psa Levels By Age Chart

The main difference between the PSA scores of prostatitis and an;enlarged prostate, compared to prostate cancer, is the ratio of free vs bound PSA within your test sample.

• Prostate Cancer;will have a;higher bound PSA ratio.
• An;enlarged prostate;and;prostatitis;will have a;higher free PSA ratio.
• If your;free PSA;results are;less than 25%, your risk for developing;prostate cancer;is between;10% to 20%.
• If your;free PSA;results are;less than 10%, your risk for developing;prostate cancer;jumps to around;50%.

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Addressing Other Health Concerns

At a checkup, you should also review all medications with your healthcare provider, even over-the-counter medications. You should discuss having a flu shot, too. If the flu vaccine is not yet available during your exam, make a follow-up for that.

If you are a diabetic, your healthcare provider should examine your feet and order additional tests for your blood sugar. Your annual checkup is also the time to discuss any emotional problems you are having. If you feel sad or lack energy, tell your healthcare provider. Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health.

What’s A Raised Psa Level

The amount of PSA in your blood is measured in nanograms of PSA per millilitre of blood .

If you’re aged 50 to 69, raised PSA is 3ng/ml or higher.

A raised PSA level in your blood may be a sign of prostate cancer, but it can also be a sign of another condition that’s not cancer, such as:

• urinary infection

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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 .

Pros And Cons Of The Psa Test

Pros:

• it may reassure you if the test result is normal
• it can find early signs of cancer, meaning you can get treated early
• PSA testing may reduce your risk of dying if you do have cancer

Cons:

• it can miss cancer and provide false reassurance
• it may lead to unnecessary worry and medical tests when there’s no cancer
• it cannot tell the difference between slow-growing and fast-growing cancers
• it may make you worry by finding a slow-growing cancer that may never cause any problems

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American Cancer Society Recommendations For Prostate Cancer Early Detection

The American Cancer Society recommends that men have a chance to make an informed decision with their health care provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer. The decision should be made after getting information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening. Men should not be screened unless they have received this information. The discussion about screening should take place at:

• Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.
• Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age .
• Age 40 for men at even higher risk .

After this discussion, men who want to be screened should get the prostate-specific antigen blood test. The digital rectal exam may also be done as a part of screening.

If, after this discussion, a man is unable to decide if testing is right for him, the screening decision can be made by the health care provider, who should take into account the mans general health preferences and values.

If no prostate cancer is found as a result of screening, the time between future screenings depends on the results of the PSA blood test:

• Men who choose to be tested who have a PSA of less than 2.5 ng/mL may only need to be retested every 2 years.
• Screening should be done yearly for men whose PSA level is 2.5 ng/mL or higher.

What Is The Prostate

The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis, found only in men.

About the size of a satsuma, it’s located between the penis and the bladder, and surrounds the urethra.

The main function of the prostate is to produce a thick white fluid that creates semen when mixed with the sperm produced by the testicles.

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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.

Weighing Your Options For Treatment

If you test positive for prostate cancer, you have some options as to what youd like to do about it. Until recently, nearly everyone opted for surgery or radiation, while some patients choose not to undergo treatment, instead opting for active surveillance, during which the cancers are left alone but regularly monitored to be certain that theyre not growing.

Certainly, screening can lead to earlier prostate cancer detection, and with earlier detection, youre eligible for multiple different treatments or active surveillance, said Sia Daneshmand, MD, associate professor of urology at Keck School of Medicine of USC and director of urologic oncology at the USC Institute of Urology at Keck Medicine of USC. So we encourage patients who are candidates for screening to discuss it with their urologist and/or primary care physician so that we can determine whats the best course of treatment for them.

There also is a new option for those seeking prostate cancer treatment. Its called High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound , which uses ultrasound beams to non-surgically destroy prostate tumors.

If you are in the Los Angeles area, schedule an appointment with one of our urologists by calling;;or by visiting;Urology.KeckMedicine.org/request-an-appointment.

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What Does The Psa Test Involve

The PSA test involves taking a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The results indicate:

Normal levels: Most healthy adult males have PSA levels below 4 nanograms per milliliter .

Borderline levels: PSA levels of 4â10 ng/ml are borderline. There is a 1 in 4 chance that cancer is present.

High levels: If PSA levels are over 10 ng/ml, there is a 50% chance that the person has prostate cancer. The specialist will likely recommend more testing, including a prostate biopsy.

It is important to note that PSA levels can naturally vary from person to person. A person with high levels may not have prostate cancer. On the other hand, about 15% of people who test positive for prostate cancer after a biopsy have PSA levels below 4 ng/ml.

Prostate cancer is not the only cause of high PSA levels. Find out more about the other causes here.

What Is A Digital Rectal Exam

The most common way for doctors to check on the health of your prostate is with a DRE. Its a fairly quick and simple procedure.

For the exam, youll bend at the waist while standing or lie on your side with your knees bent toward your chest.

Your doctor will lubricate a gloved finger and gently place it inside your rectum. Theyll press one hand on your prostate, and their other hand will feel your pelvic area. It should only take a few moments.

You may experience momentary discomfort. You may also feel the urge to urinate, especially if your prostate is enlarged or inflamed.

Your doctor will be able to tell you if your prostate seems to be a normal size and shape. In general, a DRE has no risks.

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Prostatitis: A Common Problem In Men Under 50

“The;PSA;test is a good screening tool for prostate cancer, but it is not very specific,” says Erik P. Castle, MD,;a urologist and researcher at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. “Common causes of inflammation in the gland, called;prostatitis, can cause high;PSA;levels.”

Prostatitis;is the most common prostate problem for men younger than 50.

Prostatitis;caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. Another, more common type of;prostatitis, called;nonbacterial;prostatitis, can be harder to treat and may last a long time.

What If A Screening Test Shows An Elevated Psa Level

If a man who has no symptoms of prostate cancer chooses to undergo prostate cancer screening and is found to have an elevated PSA level, the doctor may recommend another PSA test to confirm the original finding. If the PSA level is still high, the doctor may recommend that the man continue with PSA tests and DREs at regular intervals to watch for any changes over time.

If a mans PSA level continues to rise or if a suspicious lump is detected during a DRE, the doctor may recommend additional tests to determine the nature of the problem. A urine test may be recommended to check for a urinary tract infection. The doctor may also recommend imaging tests, such as a transrectal ultrasound, x-rays, or cystoscopy.

If prostate cancer is suspected, the doctor will recommend a prostate biopsy. During this procedure, multiple samples of prostate tissue are collected by inserting hollow needles into the prostate and then withdrawing them. Most often, the needles are inserted through the wall of the rectum . A pathologist then examines the collected tissue under a microscope. The doctor may use ultrasound to view the prostate during the biopsy, but ultrasound cannot be used alone to diagnose prostate cancer.

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Why Is Active Surveillancethe Wait

We utilize active surveillance;for men who have been diagnosed with a low-grade prostate cancer. The reason we monitor low-grade prostate cancer using active surveillance, rather than treating it aggressively, is that there are cancers that dont need treatment. ;

With low-grade prostate cancer, youre more likely to have problems from the treatment than from the prostate cancer. Any treatment we do for prostate cancer is going to affect a mans urinary and sexual function. It may affect it a little bitor a lot. With this type of prostate cancer, we can tell you now that theres very little likelihood the cancer is going to cause you any problems. We have a good and growing amount of evidence that low-grade prostate cancers, on average, progress very slowly and do not appear to spread to the lymph nodes. Active surveillance lets us detect higher grade disease and treat it at that point.

For us to do anything and treat it is going to change your quality of life. I think thats a powerful thing.;