Early Screening for Prostate Cancer Key to Survival

All men are encouraged to begin screening after turning 50

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer for men and it’s a highly survivable disease if caught early.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 90 percent of those diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive if it’s caught early.

Since preventing prostate cancer is not possible, catching the disease early is vital part in survival.

Doctors at Essentia Health say that starting the screening process early, even without symptoms, is the most important thing for men to do.

“PSA screening, particularly in men over the age of 50, that’s something that should be discussed,” said Dr. Mark Cooper, who is a Radiation Oncologist with Essentia Health. “I think every man over the age of 50 should certainly discuss that with his primary care physician.”

Men with a family history of prostate cancer and African–American men should start screening at an earlier age.

Prostate cancer is believed to be caused by a mutation in the genes that suppress out of control growth in prostate cells.