Prostate cancer screening
The Cancer Council does not currently recommend for or against prostate cancer screening. If you are thinking about being tested for prostate cancer when you don't have any symptoms, or you are offered this, you should find out all about the pros and cons before you make up your mind, according to The Cancer Council.
A controversial issue
There are tests that can detect prostate cancer early, and finding and treating prostate cancer early in some men probably does help them to live longer. But whether it is a good idea for men with no symptoms to be tested for prostate cancer is very controversial. This may not seem to make sense at first, because for other cancers the earlier you find them the better. But there are a few things that make prostate cancer different from other cancers.
Prostate cancer often does not cause any symptoms and it seems that some prostate cancers never spread or cause any trouble. In fact, about one third of all men in their 50s would be found to have prostate cancer if they were all checked, but there is no certainty as to which of these men would have problems in the future because of it.
It is quite possible that if you are screened you will be diagnosed with prostate cancer — but that you would have lived just as long if you had never known about it. Also, current treatments carry high risks of side effects such as impotence and incontinence.
Weigh up the pros and cons
According to The Cancer Council, before you decide whether you want to be screened, you should weigh up these issues, as well as your personal risk for prostate cancer. If your father or brother has been diagnosed with prostate cancer you are at higher risk.
You will also have to decide about your own preference for knowing or not knowing whether you have prostate cancer. How much you and your partner value sexual intercourse will also be an important issue. Talking it over with your partner and your doctor can help you make up your mind.
For further information and advice, call the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20.
Last Reviewed: 14 November 2001
