Prostate cancer screening is a medical process designed to detect prostate cancer in its early stages, often before symptoms appear. Early detection improves treatment outcomes and increases the likelihood of successful management.
Why Screening is Important:
Screening helps identify cancer or abnormal tissue at an early stage, often before symptoms develop. Early detection makes cancer easier to manage and less likely to have spread. Unfortunately, once symptoms appear, the cancer may already be at an advanced stage, making treatment more challenging.
Common Screening Methods Include:
1. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: A blood test measuring PSA levels, a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels may indicate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, or other conditions. Factors like medications and recent ejaculation can also influence PSA levels.
2. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): A physical exam where a gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum to feel for abnormalities in the prostate. Though less sensitive than the PSA test, DRE can detect cancers in men with normal PSA levels and is often included in prostate cancer screenings.
3. Prostate Health Index (PHI): An advanced blood test that combines total PSA, free PSA, and p2PSA levels to provide a more accurate assessment of prostate cancer risk than a standard PSA test
4. Prostate Biopsy (TRUS Biopsy): If abnormalities are detected during screening, a biopsy guided by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) can confirm the presence of cancer. Small tissue samples are taken from the prostate and analyzed for cancerous cells.
It’s important to note screening tests are proactive measures. Being recommended for a screening does not mean you have cancer, but regular screenings allow you to monitor your health and detect potential issues before they progress. If a screening test result is abnormal, further diagnostic tests may be required to confirm whether cancer is present.
Should I Be Concerned About Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and the third most common among men in Singapore. Certain factors increase the risk of developing prostate cancer:
· Age: The risk increases significantly after age 50.
· Family History: Having a close relative with prostate cancer raises your likelihood of developing the disease.
· Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, smoking, and high-fat diets may elevate your risk.
· Ethnicity: In Singapore, Chinese men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer compared to Malay or Indian men.
Prostate cancer often grows silently, showing no symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
• Blood in urine or semen
• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
• Weak urine flow or dribbling
• Increased frequency of urination, especially at night (nocturia)
• A feeling that the bladder is not completely empty
• Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis
• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
Early diagnosis is key, Localized prostate cancer has a nearly 100% five-year survival rate when detected early, underscoring the importance of regular screening and prompt intervention.
