Risks and Benefits of Prostate Screening

Highlights

Prostate Screening Risks and Benefits

For the general population of men, there is a one in six chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, so it’s important to be aware of your options.

A simple blood test called a prostate specific antigen test (PSA) and a digital rectal exam (DRE) 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 man’s 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
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, it’s important to talk with a prostate cancer specialist who can help you evaluate your options and make the choice that’s right for you.

Educational materials are available. They are designed to help men make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening — and to promote discussion between men and their physicians. Source: Centers for Disease Control

Before you decide to be screened, learn more. Then talk with your doctor about whether and when prostate cancer screening is right for you.

To learn more, read these guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control. Each PDF link opens in a new window:

Prostate Cancer Screening: A Decision Guide

Prostate Cancer Screening: A Decision Guide for African Americans

La Detección del Cáncer de Próstata: Una Guía para Hispanos en los Estados Unidos

Author: Tamara Kroll

Last Review Date: April 7, 2010