Private MD News

Prostate testing can save men's lives, experts say

Category: Prostate

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, but many experts say that prostate cancer testing can be the most effective way for men to prevent the disease from developing.

In an effort to reduce the number of men with prostate cancer, a group of Milwaukee businesses has teamed up to offer free prostate testing later this month.

The test will include both a measurement of prostate specific antigen levels in the blood (a key signal of prostate problems), and a physical examination of the prostate, according to WauwatosaNow.com.

William See, one of the doctors who will be conducting the screenings, told the news source that a man's risk of developing prostate problems goes up as he ages, but when it is caught early by one of these simple tests, the prostate cancer can be highly treatable.

"If you’re over 40, getting checked is a simple step that could save your life, he said. "For all men, the risk of prostate cancer goes up at age 50, and for African-American men, the risk elevates at age 40."

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 200,000 men developed prostate cancer in 2006, the most recent year statistics were available.