Getting screened for prostate cancer is necessary and crucial because screening helps in detecting the issue, much earlier than the symptoms even start to appear. It can be detected at a phase when the cancer is localised, which means that it has just begun in the prostate and has not yet spread to other tissues or organs. Moreover, at that time, cancer was more treatable and had a higher rate of survival as well. With the help of screening, you can prevent it from spreading any further, thereby enhancing long-term results. If screenings such as DRE and the PSA test are not perfect and also involve risks such as overdiagnosis, it becomes crucial for the detection of fast-growing cancers early, thereby allowing for shared and informed decisions related to management, specifically for men who are over 50 years of age or for those who have higher risk factors.

Crucial pluses of screening

Generally, the majority of prostate cancers tend to grow slowly and silently, showing no symptoms until they have reached an advanced stage, thereby making screening crucial to find cancer when it is treatable.
If prostate cancer is detected at an early stage, it can lead to the availability of several treatment options, hence there exist much better chances of successful healing and recovery with higher rates of survival.
Screening can diminish the risk of deaths due to prostate cancer, as evidence suggests.
Screening can provide information regarding the risk, thereby allowing for mutual decision-making about the treatment with the doctor. The treatment includes active surveillance for indolent prostate cancers.

Who needs to be screened?

People who have reached the age of 50 years are at average risk of developing prostate cancer.
If there is a family history of prostate cancer, then you must get it screened after the age of 40 or 45.
Many cases of prostate cancer are found in men who are over the age of 65 years. But after the age of 50years, the risk of prostate cancer significantly increases.

Conventional methods of screening

PSA Test: Prostate-Specific Antigen Test refers to a blood test which is done to check PSA levels.
DRE: Digital Rectal Exam refers to a physical exam.
Other tests: if the screening comes positive, further steps are taken, such as imaging or biopsies, which could be needed for diagnosis.

Important thing to be considered

Screening is not the final result. It helps in finding the potential issues which need further tests.
Screening may lead to overdiagnosis, which means finding cancers that are not really harmful to you, and also to overtreatment, which has several side effects, such as urinary or erectile issues.
The discussions about screening ought to be tailored to the needs of the individual, considering age, preferences and overall health as well.

Conclusion

At Khosla Stone Kidney & Surgical Centre, you can get your screening done right on time. You can also discuss your issues and doubts with the professional doctors. It is much better to get diagnosed early rather than detecting it at a later stage when treatment options are limited. Dr Rajesh Khosla, with an expertise of more than 20 years, treats his patients with empathy and suggests the best treatment option available. Working tirelessly for the betterment of the patients, he provides many advanced services at his hospital, which are beneficial for the patients.

FAQs

Q1: Can Prostate Cancer, once treated, come back?

A: Yes, it may come back. Hence, it is important to have regular follow-up screenings.

Q2: Can dehydration have any effect on prostate cancer?

A: Dehydration can be a major issue for patients suffering from prostate cancer, as the treatments can have many side effects, like diarrhoea or vomiting, which can further lead to kidney issues.