Cancer Screening - Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. It is also the 2nd most common cause of deaths among men in Canada. The prostate gland is located just below the bladder where the fluid of semen is produced. While early detection through screening may increase the chances of successful treatment, there are currently no recommended screening tests for the general population.
What you can do:
- Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about when you should start being screened for prostate cancer and what tests they would recommend.
The Canadian Cancer Society recommends:
- All men over the age of 50 years should discuss with their doctor the potential benefits and risks of early detection of prostate cancer using Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examinations (DRE) so that they can make informed decisions about the use of these tests.
- Men at higher risk because of family history or those of African ancestry should discuss the need for testing at an earlier age.
Related Resources
Canadian Cancer Society - Prostate cancer: How to reduce your risk
