How To Decide If Prostate Cancer Screening is Right For You
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Men have a greater chance of getting prostate cancer if they’re 50 years old or older, are African-American, or have a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer.
Screening
Currently, there is not enough credible evidence to decide if the potential benefit of prostate cancer screening outweighs the potential risks. The potential benefit of prostate cancer screening is finding cancer early, which may make treatment more effective. Potential risks of screening include false positive test results (the test says you have cancer when you don’t), treatment of prostate cancers that may never affect your health, and side effects from treatment.
Informed Decision Making
Is prostate cancer screening right for you? Talk to your doctor to learn the nature and risk of prostate cancer and the benefits and risks of the screening tests. Then make a decision consistent with your preferences and values.
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