Is a Prostate Cancer Screening Worth It?

Lee Health Hematologist and Oncologist Dr. Manoel Moraes said prostate cancer is tricky, “It’s a disease of older men, and it’s a disease that is different than most cancers, usually it is very slow growing.”

For most cancers, screening and early detection saves lives, but Dr. Moraes said with prostate cancer it all depends on your health and age. “If you are in your 70’s or 80’s, and you have a lot of medical problems, and you know your life expectancy is not going to be much longer, then you question if it’s worthwhile. All this work up to find prostate cancer early if chances are you’re not going to die from that disease.”

In some cases, treatment can cause more harm than good. “Then you question if discovering early is really worthwhile, because treatments have potential toxic side effects.” However, Dr. Moraes said there is an exception, “If you have a strong family history of prostate cancer, and you’re having a screening, and you’re discovered to have such a disease earlier than usual, like your 40s, your 50s, then I think there’s no doubt that discovering early makes a big difference, because the earlier you get treated, the higher the odds are going to get cured.

A screening can be done using a PSA blood test, digital rectal exam, or trans rectal ultrasound. Screening decisions should be made on a case by case basis. Your doctor can determine what’s best for you based on your medical history.

Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.