Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men.
Each year, approximately 17,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and around 3,000 will die from it.
The recommendations are that men over age 50, or over the age of 40 with a family history of prostate cancer, should talk to their doctor about testing for prostate cancer as part of their regular health check-ups.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia provides detailed information to help you weigh up the benefits and risks of PSA testing before deciding if you want to be tested. You can find it here psatesting.org.au/info
WHEN SHOULD I BE TESTING?
It is a good idea to start a conversation with your doctor about PSA testing when you are 50. But if you have symptoms or come from a family with a history of prostate cancer, it’s best to talk to your doctor sooner, around 40.
Your doctor should fully explain your risk factors and the potential benefits and possible harms of testing before you make your decision. It is important to ask lots of questions, so you clearly understand what PSA testing involves and what happens next if your PSA result is normal or elevated.
HOW DO YOU TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is the blood test used to detect an increased risk of prostate cancer. Higher than normal levels indicate that you may have an issue with your prostate that requires further testing. If you are considering PSA testing, ask your doctor to explain the potential benefits and possible harms of testing before you make your decision. If you have symptoms that suggest a problem with your prostate, an examination of the prostate and a PSA test are usually required to work out what is causing the symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
-urinary symptoms including frequent urination at night, poor urine stream, dribbling at the end of passing urine, or slow to start the urine flow
-blood in the semen or urine – never ignore this symptom
-pain on urination or ejaculation
-back or pelvic pain.
I HAVE SYMPTOMS. WHAT DO I DO?
What if you have symptoms? PSA testing is recommended if you have symptoms that could indicate a problem with your prostate.
I HAD A POSITIVE PSA TEST. WHAT’S NEXT?
Additional testing is required and could involve further PSA tests, a digital rectal examination, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and/or a tissue biopsy. A tissue biopsy taken from the prostate is the only way a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer can be made. The procedure involves thin needles being inserted into the prostate to obtain a sample of tissue. The biopsy can have side effects of bleeding, bruising, temporary urinary and erectile problems and infection, depending on how the biopsy is done. If the biopsy shows that there is cancer present, a medical specialist (such as a urologist or a radiation oncologist) will discuss treatment options with you. Some prostate cancers may not need treatment and can be safely monitored. This is called Active Surveillance. Other cancers will require treatment, which comes with the possibility of side effects. The side effects vary with the type of treatment, but can include urinary problems, erection and ejaculation problems, bowel problems and fatigue, depression or anxiety.
*Information compiled from Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
