August 15th, 2012. - by Dr. Goyal
What is screening?
Screening is when one performs a test to look for a disease prior to any symptoms. The goal is to detect a specific disease at its earliest stage in order to ensure the best treatment results. If a screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to find out if you have cancer.
Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most common non-skin cancer among men in the United States. CaP is found mainly in men above the age of 60, and can be found in men in their forties. Due to the slow growing nature of prostate cancer, only about 10% of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer end up dying of the disease; however, a much larger percentage of men with prostate cancer may suffer from the effects of prostate cancer, such as bone pain or urinary symptoms. The goal of treating prostate cancer is not only to prevent death from CaP, but also to prevent any symptoms from developing.
A higher percentage of CaP occurs in African-American men than in white men. African-American men with prostate cancer are more likely to die from the disease than white men with prostate cancer. Below are risk factors for developing prostate cancer:
? Being 50 years of age or older.
? Being black.
? Having a brother, son or father who had prostate cancer (family history).
? Eating a diet high in fat or drinking alcoholic beverages.
What is involved with prostate cancer screening?
There are two main tests that are employed during prostate screening:
1. Digital rectal exam (DRE): A doctor or nurse briefly inserts their finger into the lower part of the rectum to feel the prostate for lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
2. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): PSA is a substance made by the prostate that can be detected in the blood. The level of PSA is typically higher in men who have prostate cancer.
If one of these screening tests are abnormal, a prostate biopsy by your urologist may be requested. Follow-up tests, such as a biopsy, may be done to diagnose cancer.
Which men should get screened?
This question is a hotly debated topic. Opinions vary from testing all men annually starting at the age of 40 to the extreme of suggesting that no men should ever get screened. The truth lies somewhere in between. The United States Preventive Services Task Force reviewed five well-controlled clinical trials looking at screening for men 50 and older. They concluded in 2011 that the benefits of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer do not outweigh the harms. Many organizations, including the American Cancer Society and American Urologic Society, argue in favor of prostate screening.
Generally, most experts in the field of prostate cancer recommend prostate screening with annual PSA and digital rectal examination starting at the age of 45-50, but at the age of 40 for men at high risk. This would include African-American men and men who have a father, brother or son diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65.
Since the initiation of PSA screening, the death rates from prostate cancer have decreased. The countries with the least PSA screening tend to have the highest prostate-cancer mortality rates. In keeping with majority opinion, I believe prostate cancer screening is a valuable tool which saves lives.
FREE PROSTATE SCREENING AT HOLY CROSS
Holy Cross Hospital will host a Men?s Health Rally: It?s A Guy Thing on Saturday, September 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holy Cross Medical Group Gallagher Building parking lot, adjacent to the hospital, at 1900 E.Commercial Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. The event is free and open to the public.
Men?s Health Rally Activities
Former Miami Dolphins star Larry Little and the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders will be on hand to sign autographs. In addition to Mr. Little, other speakers will include Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler, Sheriff Al Lamberti, and prostate cancer survivors Lt. Col. Bob Weinstein, USAR (ret.) and Patrick Baxter.
Targeted to men 40 years old and older and the women who will bring them, the Men?s Health Rally: It?s A Guy Thing offers education on men?s health, on-site screenings including prostate cancer screenings, blood pressure screenings, body composition measurements and flexibility and strength screenings, and video presentations in the ?Man Cave.? A Classic Car Show by Russ G Events with a classic bulldozer and fire truck will flow throughout the parking lot. A Broward Sheriff?s Office SWAT vehicle will also be onsite for display.
In addition, there will be a family fun zone for kids, community booths and information about the Dorothy Mangurian Comprehensive Women?s Center at Holy Cross HealthPlex. Whole Enchilada will provide the food.
Prizes
Among the prizes to be awarded are two pairs of tickets to a Miami Heat game and a pair of tickets to a Miami Marlins game.
Registration
Call 954-351-5886 to register for a prostate screening. Registration for the Men?s Rally is not required.
Tags: digital rectal exam, men's health event, men's health rally, Prostate Cancer, prostate cancer screening, psa testing
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