A recent survey conducted by the American Cancer Society reveals that nearly two-thirds of men aged 55 to 69 have not undergone screening for prostate cancer. This lack of early detection is contributing to an increase in advanced-stage prostate cancer diagnoses for the first time in decades.
Dr. Matthew Nguyen, an Internal Medicine Resident at Northeast Regional Medical Group, affiliated with Northeast Regional Medical Center, emphasizes that men at average risk should discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor starting around age 50.
“Understanding your personal risk factors is crucial in deciding whether and when to get screened for prostate cancer,” Nguyen said. “African American men and those with a family history of the disease should consider starting screening as early as age 45. Early detection can save lives, especially since prostate cancer often produces few symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.”
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, following skin cancer, with an estimated 313,780 new cases expected in 2025. It also ranks as the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men, after lung cancer. About 60% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and the disease is rare in men under 40.
The most common method for detecting prostate cancer is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, Nguyen explained. “The PSA test is a preliminary screening tool, not a definitive diagnostic test. An abnormal PSA result may prompt further evaluation and testing.”
While early-stage prostate cancer often produces no noticeable symptoms, Nguyen advises men to consult their doctor if they experience urinary difficulties, blood in urine or semen, or erectile dysfunction. “These symptoms are frequently treatable and are often caused by conditions other than prostate cancer, but they should never be ignored,” he said.
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