Prostate Cancer Facts

When should I get tested for Prostate Cancer?
The American Cancer society recommends testing for prostate cancer for males over the age of 50 years old and from 40 - 45 for males who are at a higher risk such as with family history of disease. These tests should be performed yearly. Annual PSA are usually covered for males in these age groups by Medicare.

What are the risk factors for Prostate Cancer?
Risk factors for prostate cancer are age. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has developed a list of ages and risk factors:
Age 45 - 1 in 2500
Age 50 - 1 in 476
Age 55 - 1 in 120
Age 60 - 1 in 43
Age 65 - 1 in 2
Age 70 - 1 in 13
Age 75 - 1 in 9

Another risk factor that increase the chances of developing prostate cancer is race. African American males are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than Caucasian American males.



How is prostate cancer screened and diagnosed?
Annual screening for prostate cancer consists of a DRE (digital rectal exam) and PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test.



What is PSA?
PSA is the enzyme that is produced in the prostate. A high PSA level does not mean you have prostate cancer, PSA levels can rise due to infections and BPH. A level of PSA was established to determine a cutoff level between the most benign conditions and the level of PSA when the condition was most likely to be malignant, and that level is 4.0 nanograms per milliliter of serum. If a patient has a PSA of above 4.0 this might cause the physician to order a biopsy of the prostate although talk has begun recently to lower that level to 2.5



What is DRE?
DRE (digital rectal examination) -A digital (finger) rectal examination is done to check for abnormalities of organs or other structures in the pelvis and lower abdomen. During the examination, the doctor will insert a lubricated and gloved finger into the rectum and possibly use the other hand to press on the lower abdomen and pelvis. A DRE is often done at regular checkups to check the prostate gland. DRE's should be started at ages 40-45 years old at yearly exams for males.



How long will radiation treatments last?
The usual time for typical radiation treatments to the prostate is 8 to 9 weeks of treatments 5 days a week. This is for external beam radiation therapy treatments only. If you are receiving external beam then prostate seed implant you will probably receive 5 weeks of external beam treatments and the seed implant which takes only a few hours.

Will I be able to be around children and pregnant woman during my radiation treatments?
If you are receiving external beam treatments only then yes. You will not effect anyone and there will be no radiation once the treatment machine turns off. If you are receiving prostate seed implants you will be instructed to stay at a safe distance from pregnant woman and young children for about 3 to 6 months after the implants.