Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, but the good news is that it’s highly treatable if caught early. Prostate cancer screening, primarily through PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood tests, can help detect the disease early, offering men a better chance at successful treatment. However, there’s still a lot of confusion about when to get screened, what high PSA levels mean, and the different treatment options available if cancer is found.
At Mason City Clinic, board-certified urology team dedicated to educating men in North Iowa about the importance of prostate cancer screening and early detection. In this blog, we’ll explore why prostate cancer screening is critical, debunk some common myths, and explain the various treatment options available.
Prostate cancer often develops slowly and may not show symptoms until it has advanced. That’s why regular screening is essential to catch it in its early stages when it’s most treatable. Board certified urologist Steven Thoma, MD of Mason City Clinic emphasizes the importance of early detection. “Prostate cancer is extremely treatable, especially if we find it early,” he says. “Even when we don’t find it early, it’s still extremely treatable, controllable for many, many years.”
While prostate cancer is not preventable, early detection through screening gives men a greater chance of successfully treating the disease before it spreads or becomes more aggressive.
The primary method for screening prostate cancer is through a PSA blood test. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen, a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. While elevated PSA levels can indicate the presence of prostate cancer, Dr. Thoma reminds patients that a high PSA does not automatically mean cancer.
“Just because your PSA is high absolutely does not mean that you have prostate cancer,” explains Dr. Thoma. “There are other things that can make that PSA go higher. Things like if you have a very large prostate, if you have infection or inflammation of the prostate, or if you have significant difficulties with your urination.”
It’s important for men to discuss their PSA results with their doctor to understand the potential causes of an elevated PSA and determine whether further tests, such as a prostate biopsy, are necessary.
Screening recommendations for prostate cancer have evolved over the years. In the past, men were advised to begin PSA screening in their 40s, but that led to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments. Today, guidelines have found a balance.
Dr. Thoma explains, “Now there’s felt to be a really good happy medium. Typically, we start screening around 55. If you have a family history of it, you should probably start a little bit earlier, maybe around 50.”
For most men, PSA screening can be discontinued around age 70, but that decision should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. “If you have a guy that is 75, but he’s in fantastic shape, he’s got a good chance at another 10 to 15 years of life, you want to know if that guy has prostate cancer so that you can get ahead of that,” says Dr. Thoma. “On the flip side of that, if you’ve got a guy who’s 60, who’s in very bad shape, we don’t tend to worry about prostate cancer. Just because prostate cancer tends to move pretty slowly.”
If prostate cancer is detected, the treatment approach depends on the stage of cancer, the patient’s overall health, and their personal preferences. Dr. Thoma outlines the two main treatment options for curing prostate cancer: surgery and radiation.
“The two mainstays of treatment at this point would be surgery to remove the prostate or radiation treatments,” Dr. Thoma explains. “Typically, these days, surgery is done robotically, which is a version of laparoscopic surgery, kind of a minimally invasive approach.”
Radiation is another common treatment option, but it’s often confused with chemotherapy. Dr. Thoma clarifies the difference: “A lot of people confuse radiation with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the medicine of the veins, makes you kind of feel sick, your hair can fall out. Radiation is going to be focused energy at prostate cancer.”
Both surgery and radiation can be highly effective in curing prostate cancer, especially when it’s caught early. Your doctor will work with you to decide which treatment is best based on your specific case and overall health.
Prostate cancer screening is a crucial step in maintaining men’s health, especially as they age. The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the more treatment options are available, and the better the chances of a full recovery. Mason City Clinic’s Urology Department, led by experts like Dr. Steven Thoma, is dedicated to providing North Iowa men with the best urological care, including prostate cancer screening and treatment.
If you’re approaching 55 or have a family history of prostate cancer, it may be time to start the conversation about PSA screening. Regular screenings can offer peace of mind and catch cancer before it has a chance to spread.
For more information about prostate cancer screening or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Thoma at Mason City Clinic, visit Mason City Clinic Urology or call 641-494-5200 today.
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