Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Many prostate cancers grow very slowly and never cause problems, while some are aggressive.

This guide follows the American Urological Association (AUA) 2023 early detection guideline, with the USPSTF (2018) noted. The right plan for you depends on your age, health and family history, so talk with your doctor.

• Average risk: the AUA says a baseline PSA test can be offered between ages 45 and 50, after talking with your doctor (shared decision-making).
• Higher risk: for Black men, men with a strong family history of prostate cancer, or men with certain inherited gene changes (such as BRCA2), the AUA advises offering screening starting at ages 40 to 45.
• Men 55 to 69: the USPSTF says the decision to have a PSA test should be a personal one, made with your doctor after talking about the possible benefits and harms.
• Men 70 and older: the USPSTF recommends against routine PSA screening.
• Screening is always a shared decision. How often to repeat the PSA depends on your results and risk.

• Getting older
• Being Black (African American)
• A father, brother or son with prostate cancer
• Inherited gene changes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2

Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have any of these, call us. Don't wait for your next screening.

• Trouble starting or a weak urine stream
• Needing to urinate often, especially at night
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in the back, hips or pelvis that doesn't go away
• Many of these are also caused by an enlarged prostate, which is not cancer. They should still be checked.

• PSA blood test: this is the main screening test. We can order it, and your blood is drawn at a lab.
• A digital rectal exam is not recommended as a screening test by itself.
• If PSA is high, your doctor may repeat it, and you may be referred to a urologist for MRI or a biopsy.

• Possible benefits: finding a dangerous cancer early, and a small lower chance of dying from prostate cancer.
• Possible harms: false alarms, biopsies, and finding slow cancers that may lead to treatment with side effects like leaking urine or erection problems.
• Think about what matters most to you, and bring your questions to your visit.
• Stay active, eat plenty of vegetables, and don't smoke.

A normal PSA is reassuring. Your doctor will talk with you about if and when to repeat it.

A high PSA does not mean you have cancer. It may be repeated or followed by more tests.

Many low-risk prostate cancers can be watched closely (active surveillance) instead of treated right away.

Your primary care team at Moaddel Medical talks through the pros and cons with you, orders a PSA test if you choose screening, and reviews the results with you.

If more testing is needed, we refer you to one of our urology partners, Dr. Eugene Dula or Dr. Jennifer Mehdizadeh, or to an oncology partner, and help coordinate your care.

We're at 7230 Medical Center Dr, Suite 100, West Hills, CA 91307.