Prostate cancer: who should be tested?
For many types of cancer, finding and treating the disease early has proven benefits. With prostate cancer we are not sure.
Screening or testing well men, with no symptoms, for prostate cancer is a controversial issue. Unlike breast and cervical cancers, where there is good evidence to support screening all women in certain age groups, there is not sufficient evidence to support screening all men for prostate cancer.
There is concern that testing well men for prostate cancer exposes them to tests that can cause harm and treatment that may not offer long-term benefits but may leave them with side effects such as impotence and incontinence.
Prostate cancer often does not cause any symptoms and it seems that some prostate cancers never spread or cause any trouble.
Before you decide whether you want to be tested, particularly if you have no symptoms or you have been offered the test, you should weigh up all the pros and cons, 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 consider your own preference for knowing or not knowing whether you have prostate cancer. How much you and your partner value sexual intercourse will be an important issue because treatment can affect your ability to have an erection. Talking it over with your partner and your doctor can help you make up your mind.
The Cancer Council does not currently recommend for or against prostate cancer screening. It is a matter each man must decide for himself.
For further information and advice, call the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20.
Last Reviewed: 08 November 2001
