Prostate
Guidelines for Early Detection from American Cancer Society:
- Beginning at age 50, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE) should be offered every year to men who do not have major health problems that might shorten their lives by 10 years.
- Men at high risk (African American men and men who have a first-degree relative who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at a young age) should begin testing at age 45.
- Men should be given information about the benefits and limitations of tests so they can decide if they want to be tested.
(Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer, American Cancer Society)
*** These guidelines are for the early detection of cancer for people without symptoms. Some people are at higher risk for certain cancers, so they may need to have tests more often and start when they are younger. Talk with your health care professional to find out how these guidelines relate to you.
Cancer-Related Checkups
For individual undergoing periodic health examinations, a cancer-related checkup should include health counseling, and depending on a person's age, might include examinations for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries, as well as for some nonmalignant diseases.
For more information from the American Cancer Society, please visit www.cancer.org