Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that mostly affects older men. After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Many men have questions about prostate cancer screening (testing). Even though prostate cancer is common, screening for it isn’t recommended. The information below can help you start a conversation about prostate cancer with your doctor or nurse.
What is the prostate?
The male prostate is a small sex gland that makes fluid to carry sperm. It’s located below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
Risk factors for prostate cancer include:
• Being age 50 or older
• Being African American
• Having a father, brother, or son who had prostate cancer
Why isn’t screening recommended for prostate cancer?
Screening for prostate cancer isn’t recommended because the risks of screening and treatment outweigh the benefits.
• Most of the time, prostate cancer grows so slowly that men won’t die from it or have any symptoms.
• The treatment of prostate cancer is more likely to cause medical problems than the prostate cancer itself.
• The screening tests that are available now can’t tell if you have a cancer that will cause problems or not.
What do I ask the doctor?
Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse:
• Am I at risk for prostate cancer?
• Are there things I can do to lower my risk for prostate cancer?
• What are the benefits and harms (risks) of prostate cancer screening and treatment?
• Are there any warning signs or symptoms of prostate cancer I should look out for?
For more information about prostate cancer screening, visit www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/prostate/patient