Scheduled Visit (Prostate Cancer Screening)

Prostate cancer affects millions of men around the world. The disease targets and develops in the prostate gland of the male reproductive system. Malignancy of the Prostate Gland is the most common type of cancer in American Men other than skin cancer and many experts in this field believe that prostate cancer can be prevented with regular screening especially if a man has the potential in developing the illness. The goal of early detection is to reduce the mortality rate of men from prostate cancer.

The person who will undergo screening should weigh the pros and cons about the risk he will go through. Patients should thoroughly discuss it with his doctor and careful explanation should be provided about the procedure.

The latest guide for prostate cancer screening was issued by the American Urological Association (AUA), According to them men over 40 years of age should undergo a baseline Prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam to measure the risk of getting the disease.

Prostate-specific antigen is a substance that is made by the prostate gland and is responsible for breaking down high molecular protein into small peptides allowing the sperm to swim freely in semen. PSA level in man’s blood is an important marker in detecting prostate anomalies such as cancer. PSA may sometimes leak into bloodstream depending on age as prostate glands develop and reach its peak level on adult stage.

Screening may be recommended for men over the age of 50. For high risk individuals it is best to undergo screening at the age of 40. Still pre cautionary measures are exercised before undergoing screening because of the potential risks it may bring.

A PSA test involves collecting a blood sample usually in your arm (Antecubital Fossa) and the doctors measure the level of prostate specific antigen in the blood. An elevated PSA may be indicative of a cancer; however there are other reasons for an elevated PSA level such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. Aside from PSA, digital rectal exam (DRE) is also performed concomitantly to help doctors identify the problem especially for men who don’t have any signs and symptoms of the disease.

Digital rectal exam is performed by a doctor using a gloved finger inserted in the rectum to assess for the shape, lumps or any abnormal areas within the rectal wall.

If cancer is suspected the doctor may order further testing such as prostate biopsy to determine if such disease is present. Needle biopsy is performed guided by an ultrasonogrophy machine for doctors to accurately find the specific location of the prostate gland. The doctor will then collect sample of prostate tissues and view it using a microscope to examine the cells.

Aside from PSA and DRE, scientists are also studying other screening test that can be beneficial for men to rule out the disease in early stage.

Some of the methods being studied are as follows:

What to Know Before the Procedure

Choosing a doctor to perform the screening may be a more important decision than the type of procedure. With the concerns many men have over a possible cancer following the screening, It is best for doctors to discuss the benefits and the potential risk of the procedure. Preparation for the screening requires a bowel cleansing, a health assessment, blood work, x-rays, changes/additions to medications to avoid erroneous results.

>What to Know After the Procedure

In general, the screening is well-tolerated. In case of needle biopsy swelling in the scrotum, bladder spasms, and blood in the urine may be visible for a few days. Showers are permitted but baths must be avoided until the incisions are healed. Patients resume most routine activities in until the incision is healed and can engage in all activities in a week’s time. Returning to work depends on the activities required and the doctor should be consulted for advice.