Prostate cancer screening and early detection

When found early, prostate cancer is highly treatable and often curable. Our screening program focuses on detecting cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.

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Key Points

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.
Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States.
African American men are at greater risk of developing prostate cancer.
Family history of prostate cancer increases a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer himself.
BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 inherited gene mutations are linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

Doctor speaking with a male patient about early cancer detection and preventive health screenings.

Detect prostate cancer early

The earlier prostate cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to treat. In early stages, prostate cancer may show no signs or symptoms. This is why regular check-ups and screenings with your primary care provider can identify changes in your PSA and find any abnormalities with your prostate at the earliest time.

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Talk to your primary care provider about when to begin prostate cancer screening

The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association encourage every man to talk to his health care provider about the risks and benefits of prostate screening. The timing of when to have the conversation if screening is right for you depends on each patient’s personal risk factors:

Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.
Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).

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Know what matters

How do you screen for prostate cancer?

You can screen for prostate cancer with a blood test and at times a digital rectal exam performed by your health care provider may be included. If results are abnormal a biopsy may needed. If prostate cancer is found, the results will allow a Gleason score to be determined which guides treatment decisions.

Screen for prostate cancer with Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test which measures a protein produced by the cells of the prostate.

Discuss with your primary care provider if a digital rectal exam would be beneficial. This test helps identify if there are changes in the size or texture of your prostate.

The PSA test tells your health care provider if the prostate is releasing higher than usual amounts of PSA into your bloodstream. PSA is a protein that is naturally produced by the prostate gland. As the prostate enlarges, additional PSA is produced and seeps into the blood stream, making it a useful marker for prostate cancer. While a high PSA doesn’t necessarily mean cancer is present, and a low PSA doesn’t necessarily mean there is no cancer, it is an important tool for physicians. Only a biopsy can confirm or deny the presence of prostate cancer.

By having annual physicals where your PSA level is drawn allows your health care provider to see changes in your PSA that may indicate further evaluation is needed.

If the DRE and/or PSA come back as abnormal, it might mean you have a problem with your prostate. This does not necessarily mean you have cancer. Other prostate problems can also cause a higher PSA count. You may have an infection or an enlarged prostate known as benign prostate hyperplasia.

Your health care provider may refer you to a urologist to do additional tests, such as repeating the PSA, ordering an MRI of the prostate, or collecting a biopsy to collect tissue samples to examine if there are any cancerous cells.

Once your urologist has performed a biopsy a pathologist examines prostate tissue under a microscope, looking for patterns of how abnormal the cells are compared to normal cells.

This information is used to assign a Gleason score that helps determine how aggressive the prostate cancer is. The level of abnormality is graded on a scale of 1 to 5. This is done for the most common pattern found and the second most common pattern found.

These two scores are added together to calculate your Gleason score.

A Gleason score of 6 — Low-grade cancer, likely to grow slowly.
A Gleason score of 7 — Intermediate-grade cancer, may grow at a moderate rate.
A Gleason score of 8–10 — High-grade cancer, more likely to grow and spread quickly.

Your Gleason score, combined with your stage, guides treatment decisions.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer in the earliest stages may not show any signs or symptoms. If you notice any of these symptoms, reach out to your health care provider:

Frequent urination, especially at night
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Weak urine flow
Blood in the urine or semen
Pelvic pain or discomfort
Erectile dysfunction
Loss of bladder or bowl control
Pain in low back, hip, or chest

These symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, making it essential to talk to your health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.

Understanding risk factors

Age: Your risk increases as you age. Most people get prostate cancer after age 50.

Race: Prostate cancer is more common and more aggressive in African American people than in other races.

Family history: If you have a personal or family history of prostate cancer, your risk may be higher. There is also a higher risk of prostate cancer in people with a family at high risk or history of breast cancer.

Lifestyle: Diets high in animal fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables, high dairy and calcium intake, and alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing cancer.

Weight: Excess body weight was the second largest contributing factor to developing cancer. A healthy weight can prevent diabetes, a risk factor for cancer.

Physical Activity: A sedentary lifestyle increases risk of cancer.

Chronic inflammation: Conditions such as prostatitis can increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.

Agent orange exposure

The BRCA gene connection to prostate cancer

Many people only think that BRCA gene mutation is connected to breast cancer, but in fact if you carry the BRCA gene, your risk for several cancers is increased, and this includes prostate cancer.

Learn more about understanding the BRCA gene and your risk for prostate cancer

Doctor reviewing screening results with a male patient, highlighting the importance of early prostate cancer screening and preventive care.

Early Detection

Free Screening Events

Riverside is holding free prostate cancer screening events this fall for men in our community.

Riverside Urology Specialists Eastern Shore | Monday, September 14
20486 Market St., Medical Office Building Onancock, VA 23417
4:30-6:30 p.m.

Riverside Cancer Care Center in Newport News Saturday, October 10
12100 Warwick Blvd., Suite 201b Newport News, VA 23601
9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

By appointment only. Call 1-800-520-7006 to register!

Reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer

While not all risk factors can be modified, you can empower yourself and make sure your prostate cancer risk is as low as possible by choosing the healthiest lifestyle options.

Learn about cancer prevention

Men in Blue

Prostate Cancer Support Group

Men in Blue is your space to connect with others facing prostate cancer. From considering treatment to undergoing or completing it, share your journey, gain insights, and support one another.

Attend a support group

Prostate Cancer Support Group

Comprehensive prostate cancer treatments, close to home

Should you face prostate cancer, our comprehensive program offers the latest leading-edge treatments including DaVinci robotic surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, IMRT radiation therapy and a full range of supportive treatments and therapies. Our multidisciplinary team of experts personalize your treatment for the best outcomes and quality of life.

Learn about our comprehensive prostate cancer program