UCA understands that many men will do anything to avoid going to the doctor and even ignore symptoms for as long as possible, but early detection is key for treating prostate cancer. Men with family history of prostate cancer and African Americans are considered high risk and should start screening at age 40. Men who are not at high risk should be screened beginning at age 50.
1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their life and the expert urologists at UCA are here to help.
What Can I Expect?
PSA Blood Test
Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by normal, as well as malignant, cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in a man’s blood. During a PSA test, a small amount of blood is drawn from the arm, and the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate, is measured. Your doctor will consider several factors when evaluating the results of your PSA test, including age (PSA rises with age) and race (African American men tend to have slightly higher PSAs, on average). If you have had multiple PSA tests, your doctor will look at the trend, and any rate of rise over time (PSA velocity).
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
This is not painful and while many men dread it the first time, it’s the best way to check for abnormalities in the prostate and should not be skipped. The prostate is located just inside the body so doctors are able to use a gloved finger to check for any abnormalities.
What Happens Next?
If the physician feels something abnormal or your PSA score returns in an abnormal range, additional tests will be performed. This could be an ultrasound to get a clearer picture of your prostate or a biopsy to collect tissue samples.
Schedule Your Annual Screening at UCA
The expert urologists at UCA are dedicated to personalized care and we are believers in healthy conversations. Complete the form below and a member of our staff will contact you to make an appointment or call to schedule: 205-930-0920