Insurance turns over the first of January and that means those who want to take action on benefits for things like prostate exams and other preventive measures should do so before Dec. 31.
Who should get checked?
Most men are expected to have prostate issues as they get older. However, a regular check can pinpoint those at higher risk for prostate cancer and get them into treatment sooner. That greatly increases their odds to overcome it.
The general medical guideline is to start screening for prostate cancer at 55 years old. However, those as young as 40 years old should also screen if they have a father or brother who was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Doctors will look at family history to see if someone is at high risk and offer recommendations.
How often should you be screened?
It was once recommended that men should get yearly prostate screenings but that has changed. Now, it’s based on PSA levels. Those who have less than 2.5 ng/mL could be screened every two years while those with a higher PSA level should be tested annually.
What does testing include?
This is where men start questioning testing as the old test was solely a physician testing with their finger
probing the prostate. Now, there is a PSA blood test that indicates your risk for prostate cancer. That can
reduce the number of exams you need because it identifies your PSA level and risk.
However, the doctor will still need to do a physical exam called a digital rectal exam. Inserting a gloved,
lubricated finger into the rectum allows the doctor to feel the prostate for lumps and problems. It takes only a couple of minutes. There is some discomfort in the procedure but no pain. You can go on to daily activities afterward.
Conclusion
Men turning 50 should start talking to their doctor about getting prostate exams and what to expect. Those who have a family history should have that discussion sooner. Regular exams can save your life because they can detect prostate cancer early.
