When Should Men Get a Prostate Exam?
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk of prostate cancer start getting screened at age 50.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. The American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk of prostate cancer start getting screened at age 50. However, men who are at high risk of prostate cancer may need to start getting screened earlier.
Risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases with age.
- Race: African American men are at higher risk of prostate cancer than men of other races.
- Family history: Men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer are at higher risk of developing the disease.
- Diet: Men who eat a diet high in saturated fat and red meat are at higher risk of prostate cancer.
- Obesity: Men who are obese are at higher risk of prostate cancer.
If you are at high risk of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about starting prostate cancer screening earlier than age 50. Prostate cancer screening typically involves a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
The DRE is a physical exam in which the doctor inserts a finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland. High levels of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer screening can help find prostate cancer early, when it is most treatable. If you are at average risk of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about starting prostate cancer screening at age 50. If you are at high risk of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about starting prostate cancer screening earlier than age 50.
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