What should every guy know about prostate cancer screening? In the video above, Dr. Brian Miles, a urologist at Houston Methodist, shares his advice for men of all ages.
Routine prostate cancer screenings should start around age 50
Most medical groups recommend starting routine screening for prostate cancer between ages 50-55. Many specialists like Dr. Miles lean towards the younger part of that range, at age 50.
If a family member had prostate cancer, start in your 40s
This includes first-degree relatives, such as your father, brothers, uncles and grandfathers. It's also important to know that the risk of prostate cancer isn't just a straight line on the paternal side — your risk profile also includes your mother's father and her brothers.
Ethnic heritage also plays a key role
African American men have a much higher risk of getting prostate cancer than other ethnic groups. Dr. Miles encourages African American men to start prostate cancer screening at age 40.
A rectal exam is an important part of prostate screening
Dr. Miles stresses that a blood test measuring PSA level is just one indication of a potential problem.
"We also need to know if something feels firm or hard in the prostate," he says. "A normal prostate will feel like the softer part of your hand at the base of your thumb. If we feel something that's more like the knuckle in your thumb, that's a problem."
(Related: PODCAST: Prostate Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms, Screening — Everything Guys Need to Know)
