Second only to skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in the U.S., with the American Cancer Society estimating 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Although it most often occurs in men 65 or older, prostate cancer can happen at any age, which is why screening is so important for early detection. We’re here to explain what you need to know about prostate cancer screenings, so you can take proactive steps to protect your health.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Early stages of prostate cancer are frequently asymptomatic, which is why early screening with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is so important. Signs of prostate cancer can be related to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH), and may include:
- A weakened or interrupted flow of urine
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- More frequent urination, especially at night
The advanced stages of this disease can lead to more serious symptoms, such as:
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Bone pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth. The good news is that prostate cancer is highly treatable, and, for many men, it’s a slow-growing cancer that allows for a more conservative approach to treatment. However, in some cases, prostate cancer can be more serious and requires a more aggressive treatment.
In either situation, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about any potential concerns right away rather than waiting to get tested.
When to Get Screened for Prostate Cancer
When no symptoms are present, we suggest starting prostate cancer screening at:
- Age 40 to 50 for men at high risk: Men at high risk include African American men, and men who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer, male and female breast cancer, ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer at an age younger than age 65.
- Age 50 to 69 for men at average risk: Men with an average risk can benefit the most from getting screened during this age range.
- Age 70 or above for men in good health: Healthy men over 70 may benefit from continued prostate cancer screening.
Early detection is important, as it’s the best route for treating cancer before symptoms develop. A screening helps detect possible signs of prostate cancer while it’s in its early stages. If the screening test comes back abnormal, the next step is a prostate biopsy or MRI to determine if cancer is present.
Prostate Cancer Treatment: Steps to Take After Diagnosis
Treating prostate cancer can depend on the specific type and stage of the cancer, the speed at which it grows and your individual health. Treatment options can include:
- Active surveillance, if the cancer is slow-growing and low-risk
- Checkpoint inhibitor drugs that block proteins to make your immune system more effective at destroying cancer cells
- Hormone therapy medications to lower testosterone levels
- PARP inhibitors (a medication that targets an enzyme and repairs damaged DNA)
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Watchful waiting
Generally, prostate cancer that hasn’t spread to other parts of the body is treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy, with or without hormone therapy.
The Gleason Score: A Grading System for Prostate Cancer
The Gleason score is a grading system used to classify the stages of prostate cancer. Gleason scores range from six to 10, and knowing your score is one way for your healthcare provider to predict how quickly your prostate cancer might grow.
Scores are separated into three categories:
- Gleason 6: Low-grade, slow-growing cancer
- Gleason 7: Intermediate-grade cancer
- Gleason 8, 9 or 10: High-grade cancer, more likely to grow and spread quickly
If you need treatment for prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about which therapy is right for you based on your specific type of cancer, overall health and treatment goals.
Count on Our Urologists at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth
With prostate cancer, early detection can make all the difference, and our team is here to help you get screened sooner. Our urologists at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group treat a wide range of conditions related to the male and female urinary tract, as well as the male reproductive system.
