With the recent revision to prostate screening guidelines by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, PSA testing has once again become a topic of conversation, especially among men’s health communities. Retracting its previous position against the screening exam for prostate cancer, the USPSTF has now asserted that all men ages 55 to 69 are encouraged to speak with their doctor to make an educated and individualized decision on whether PSA testing will be of benefit to them. Though this new guideline will be helpful in opening the doors for PSA conversation between men and their doctors, prostate cancer screening is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, and there are specific and important exceptions to this blanket recommendation that are imperative for men to know.
When to start the prostate cancer conversation largely depends on one thing: your risk of developing the disease, and that risk is different for various populations of men depending on personal and family history. Prevention is the golden key when it comes to prostate cancer, but trying to process all the different ages, risk factors and guidelines to figure out when you should get tested can be overwhelming and confusing. I’m here to help take the guesswork out of prostate cancer screening to make sure every man — as well as his significant other — understands the risk, as well as when to get tested.
[See: 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer.]
First, let’s discuss prostate cancer risk factors. For reasons that aren’t well-understood, African-American men have a 60 percent higher chance than Caucasian men for developing prostate cancer, and because their cancers have been shown in clinical studies to progress much quicker, African-American men have a death rate (among those diagnosed) that is more than twice as high. Due to these facts, the broad screening recommendations for the general population are not optimal for African-American men. Their innate higher risk and likelihood to develop prostate cancer at an earlier age puts African-American men in a position to be tested sooner and possibly more frequently.
The PSA test is not without potential risks. But among African-American men at this elevated of a prostate cancer risk, the benefits of catching the cancer early far outweigh the potential consequences of the test, or of not testing at all. Ideally, African-American men should begin talking to their doctor about prostate cancer at age 40, as compared to 55 for the general population.
[See: Which Medical Screenings Should You Have in 2017?]
Another factor that contributes to a significantly higher risk for developing prostate cancer is any man who has a family history of the disease. Family history refers to any close male relative — father, brother or son — who has developed prostate cancer in his lifetime. Having a relative who was diagnosed before age 65 automatically places you at greater risk than that of the average man (two to three times higher), and if more than one of your close relatives has been diagnosed with the disease at any age, the risk is further compounded. Because of this considerable risk, any man with this type of family history should follow the same recommendations as African-American men and begin the discussion with their doctors at age 40. It’s vital for men to stay in communication with other men in their family to make sure they’re aware of any and all family history. This knowledge means better chances of early treatment that could help save a life.
For anyone in the general population, the risk for prostate cancer increases with age, and after 50 the risk begins to increase substantially. In fact, more than 80 percent of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older. It’s important to point out, though, that the USPSTF does recommend men over the age of 70 do not get PSA tests. You’re probably wondering: Why would that be if the majority of prostate cancers are found in older men? PSA screening is not recommended for any man with less than a 10-year life expectancy — the reason being that once a man reaches this elevated an age, the likelihood that prostate cancer would progress and cause problems during the remainder of his lifetime is less.
[See: How to Be a Good Patient Wingman.]
The choice to get tested for prostate cancer is a personal one, but early treatment can help men slow the spread of the disease and ultimately live longer. Knowing your personal risk factors for prostate cancer based on ethnicity, age and family history will significantly help you in determining if and when you want to begin screening. With this information, you can help give yourself the best chances at a prostate cancer-free future.
More from U.S. News
10 Things Younger Men Should Know About Prostate Cancer
10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer
Which Medical Screenings Should You Have in 2017?
Understanding Prostate Cancer Risk Factors originally appeared on usnews.com
