NE Missouri News

A recent poll from the American Cancer Society indicates that almost two-thirds of men aged 55-69 have not undergone prostate cancer screening. This lack of screening is linked to an increase in advanced stage prostate cancer cases, a trend not seen in decades.

Dr. Matthew Nguyen, an internal medicine resident physician at Northeast Regional Medical Group, which operates under Northeast Regional Medical Center, advises that men at average risk for prostate cancer should begin discussing screening with their doctor around age 50.

“Understanding your risk factors is one of the first steps to decide whether to get screened for prostate cancer and when that screening should occur,” said Dr. Nguyen. “African American men and men who have a family history of prostate cancer should talk with their doctor about getting screened as early as age 45. Screening can save lives, especially since prostate cancer typically has few symptoms until it becomes more advanced.”

Prostate cancer remains the second most common cancer among men after skin cancer, with projections estimating 313,780 new cases in 2025. It is also the second-leading cause of death among American men, following lung cancer. Most diagnoses occur in men aged 65 or older; it is rare in those under 40.

“The most common screening for prostate cancer is a PSA blood test, which measures the level of a prostate specific antigen,” said Dr. Nguyen. “Like other cancer screenings, the PSA test isn’t used to diagnose prostate cancer, but it is a first step. An abnormal PSA test can indicate the need for additional testing.”

While early-stage prostate cancer often presents no symptoms, Dr. Nguyen recommends that any man experiencing difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen, or erectile dysfunction consult a physician regardless of age. These symptoms are usually treatable and are often caused by conditions other than prostate cancer.

Dr. Nguyen emphasizes that discussions about prostate screening should be included in annual wellness exams for men over 50. Those seeking a primary care provider can visit https://www.nermc.com/find-a-doctor.