Prostate Cancer Screening
Definition
The goal of screening for prostate cancer is to detect and effectively treat only those cancers most likely to cause morbidity or mortality if left untreated. (Also see Health Profile: Prostate Cancer)
Description
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in American men. The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age. A 50 year old American man has a lifetime risk of 40 percent for latent cancer, 9.5 percent risk for developing clinically apparent cancer, and a 2.9 percent risk of death due to prostate cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer is rising in the U.S., partly due to wider application of detection techniques (transrectal ultrasound and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing). Whether screening for prostate cancer will result in a decrease in yearly mortality rates due to the disease is the subject of much debate.
Causes
African-American men, men with a family history of prostate cancer, and perhaps, men with a history of high dietary fat intake are at risk.
Questions
Do you recommend DRE? Do you recommend the PSA test? How accurate are these tests? Will an ultrasound or biopsy be recommended? What are the procedures of these tests? How long does it take for the results? What is the prognosis?
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