Category: Prostate Cancer

The American Cancer Society recommends that men with average risk begin prostate screening at age 50. For those with increased risk factors, they suggest 45 or even 40. Before deciding, it is important to weigh the pros and cons with urologist Javid Javidan, MD, and whether you are symptomatic.

What We All Know About Finding Cancer

Most of us know that finding any cancer in its early stages portends a better prognosis. Most likely it hasn’t spread and can be more easily treated. That’s the main reason we are given a timetable about when to be screened, and why we should adhere to those recommendations.

Things to Consider

Most prostate cancers are slow growing which is a comforting thought. Other cancers are more aggressive and would benefit from early treatment.

If you decide not to get screened, you can always change your mind later. In addition, if you do get screened, you don’t have to go forward with the next step. You should always talk with urologist Javid Javidan, MD. about each step you take and what is best for you so you can make an educated decision for your health.

Your personal risk factors should play a part in your decision.

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Deciding when to begin screening for prostate cancer is based on your own personal risk factors.

These are the most concerning risk factors:

• Your age. Being over the age of 50.
• Your race. Black men are more at risk for prostate cancer than men of other races. Black men are also two times more likely to die from prostate cancer.
• Your family history. Having a close relative like a father or brother who had prostate cancer puts you at a high risk.
• Your weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk for prostate cancer.
• Your lifestyle. Poor nutrition and diet makes you more susceptible.

Two Kinds of Screening Tests for Prostate Cancer

There are really only two kinds of tests to determine if you have prostate cancer.

DRE

A digital rectal exam (DRE) is given by Dr. Javin in the office. A lubricated and gloved finger is inserted into the rectum to feel the size and shape of the prostate. This is usually performed in combination with PSA to look for abnormalities, but never used as the definitive test.

PSA

PSA Test stands for Prostate Specific Antigen Test. This is a blood test which tells your physician how much of this prostate making protein is in your blood.

The higher the level of PSA, the more likely you are to have prostate cancer.

However, it’s important to note, there are many other factors which can raise this PSA level, so you can’t assume it’s prostate cancer from an abnormal result. Certain medications, race, age, medical conditions, an enlarged prostate, or an infection or inflammation of the prostate can all cause PSA levels to rise.

A biopsy may be recommended next if levels are high. If the biopsy shows cancer cells, then you will be given some options like watch and wait with follow ups, radiation, or surgery.

In consultation with Urologist Javid Javidan, MD, consider the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening.

Contact Advanced Urology at (916) 245-2444 is you want to begin prostate cancer screening in Sacramento area or if you wish to discuss this topic before proceeding.

Some traits men inherit from family members can be welcome. Others like baldness and risks for developing cancer, not so much. When it comes to prostate cancer how does family history affect your prostate cancer risk?

Risk Factors And Statistics

Risk factors are anything that increase your chances of getting a disease like cancer. Prostate cancer does run in families and there may be an inherited genetic factor, although counterintuitively, most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history.

Your chances of getting prostate cancer doubles if a brother or father had the disease, though the risk seems to be even higher if your brother had it as opposed to your father. In addition, if some male relatives were diagnosed when they were young, the risk is even higher.

If two close relatives were affected, the risk for developing prostate cancer is increased five-fold.

Older men and non-Hispanic black Americans are more likely to develop prostate cancer than younger ones, and in fact, 6 out of 10 cases are men older than 65.

At the same time, although a serious disease, most men diagnosed with it do not die.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men with a family history talk to Urologist Javid Javidan, MD at age 40 – 45.

Recent Studies

Research conducted by both The American Cancer Society and Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are looking at a number of inheritable genetic changes that might add to a person’s risk of developing prostate cancer.

Men with mutations in the gene BRCA2 and possibly BRCA1 (which increases the risk of ovarian and breast cancer in women) are being studied. Nothing is conclusive as yet.

The goal is to establish to what extent these mutations play a role in causing the disease. Once more information is gained, it could give doctors better methods of identifying men with increased risks and maybe lead to new treatments.

Imperfect Prostate Cancer Screenings

Screening for prostate cancer is done with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The test is a bit unreliable as it sometimes misses seeing cancer. Other times it can find something questionable and it turns out to be nothing.

The advantages of the screening is reducing deaths, but there can also be harm done from unnecessary treatment.

Complications from treatments for prostate cancer can include urinary and bowel issues plus sexual side effects. Unfortunately there are no tests that tell you if the cancer is slow growing or aggressive.

Ask Advanced Urology, about your personal risk factors and consider whether screening for prostate cancer is right for you.

If you are concerned that several family members had prostate cancer, or because someone was diagnosed at an early age, contact Urologist Javid Javidan, MD to help you manage risks.