Prostate Cancer Screening: When Should Men Get Checked?

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, an important reminder for men to understand their risk for prostate cancer and talk with a health care provider about whether screening is right for them.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 333,830 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2026, and 36,320 men are expected to die from the disease. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland located below the bladder and is part of the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate begin to grow abnormally.

Some prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause serious health problems, while others can be more aggressive and spread quickly. Understanding your individual risk can help you and your health care provider decide whether prostate cancer screening is appropriate.

Who Is at Risk for Prostate Cancer?

The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. About 6 in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men age 65 or older, and the disease is rare in men younger than 40.

Other factors can also increase your risk, including:

• Family history: Having a father or brother who has had prostate cancer can more than double your risk.
• Race: Black men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age.
• Inherited genetic changes: Certain inherited gene changes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, may increase prostate cancer risk.

Knowing your family history and sharing it with your health care provider can help determine when conversations about screening should begin.

When Should Men Start Prostate Cancer Screening?

There isn’t one screening recommendation that’s right for every man. The decision to screen for prostate cancer should be based on your age, risk factors, overall health and personal preferences.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men have an opportunity to discuss the potential benefits, risks and uncertainties of prostate cancer screening with their health care provider beginning at:

• Age 50 for men at average risk who are expected to live at least 10 more years.
• Age 45 for men at higher risk, including Black men and men with a father or brother who was diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65.
• Age 40 for men at even higher risk, including those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age.

Your health care provider can help you understand your individual risk and decide whether screening is right for you.

What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, which is why understanding your risk and discussing screening with your provider can be important.

When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Trouble urinating
• A weak or slow urine stream
• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
• Blood in the urine or semen

These symptoms can be caused by many conditions other than prostate cancer. However, changes in urination or other concerning symptoms should be evaluated by a health care provider.

Why Early Detection Matters

Prostate cancer found before it has spread has very favorable treatment outcomes. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate is greater than 99% when prostate cancer is localized to the prostate or has spread only to nearby areas.

Knowing your risk and having a conversation with your health care provider can help you make an informed decision about screening and your prostate health.

Talk With a CRMC Urology Provider

Not sure when you should be screened for prostate cancer? Start with a conversation about your age, family history and other risk factors.

CRMC’s Urology team provides evaluation, screening and treatment for prostate cancer and other conditions affecting the urinary and reproductive systems.

To schedule an appointment with CRMC’s Urology team, call 218-545-1024.