Key Takeaway:
- 30% of men 55+ surveyed have never had a prostate exam or undergone Prostate Cancer Screening.
- Nearly 4 in 10 have never received a PSA blood test.
- Only 6% can identify all prostate cancer symptoms.
A MedStar Health survey finds many U.S. men 55 and older are missing prostate cancer screening, potentially delaying detection of a common cancer.
Survey Shows Gaps In Prostate Screening
Thirty percent of surveyed men 55 and older say they have never had a prostate exam, while nearly four in 10 report they have not received a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test, according to the national survey from MedStar Health.
PSA screening, an important part of Prostate Cancer Screening, is recommended at least every two to four years for men at average risk ages 55 through 69, according to the information released by MedStar Health.
About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. The disease may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making Prostate Cancer Screening an important tool for identifying potential cases.
“Prostate cancer is common, and it may not cause clear symptoms early on,” said Jonathan J. Hwang, chair of Urology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. “These findings show that many men may be putting off screening or may not know what warning signs to watch for.”
The survey also found that 41% of men either know someone who has had prostate cancer or have had the disease themselves. Despite that exposure, only 6% of respondents could identify all of the symptoms listed in the survey.
Few Men Recognize Warning Signs
Symptoms can include difficult, frequent, or urgent urination, blood in the urine or semen, fatigue, lower back, hip or thigh pain, erectile dysfunction and unexplained weight loss.
Stephen Ronson, medical director of Radiation Oncology at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, said men should discuss concerns with their doctors rather than wait for symptoms to appear.
“It’s always OK for men to talk with their doctor about prostate cancer symptoms or their potential risk,” Ronson said. “They can find out when screening makes sense and what symptoms should prompt evaluation.”
Prostate cancer risk varies based on factors including family history, inherited gene changes and racial background. Black men face a higher burden of the disease, according to MedStar Health.
For men at increased risk, Prostate Cancer Screening is recommended to begin between ages 40 and 45, the health system said.
Patient Credits Early Detection Through Prostate Cancer Screening
Jack Chungo’s experience illustrates how prostate cancer can be discovered after nonspecific changes. His cancer journey began after he noticed a drop in energy and weight loss, after which doctors found his PSA level was about 10 times higher than normal.
Chungo received hormone therapy and CyberKnife radiation at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He is now cancer-free.
“Thankfully, my PSA number is now very low,” Chungo said. “If you get prostate cancer, you want your doctors to catch it as early as possible. Earlier screening helps them do that.”
The survey findings highlight a gap between awareness of prostate cancer and knowledge of Prostate Cancer Screening and symptoms, MedStar Health said. Men can discuss their individual risk and screening schedule with a health care professional.
