Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer screening consists of a physical examination and/or a PSA, a natural substance produced by the prostate, blood level test. The results of a prostate cancer screen are not enough to make a formal prostate cancer diagnosis, but they can give your healthcare provider important information about your prostate health. They can also suggest that more diagnostic tests need to be done.

Men between the ages of 55 and 69 are encouraged to talk to their health care provider about prostate cancer screening. Diagnosing prostate cancer in its early stages may make it easier to treat, or even cure. In some cases, prostate cancer may only need to be actively monitored to make sure it does not progress into more advanced stages.

PSA Screening

PSA screening is a simple blood test that checks your PSA levels. PSA screening results may show:

• Normal PSA levels. May suggest that your prostate is healthy and further tests for prostate cancer may not be necessary.
• Elevated PSA levels. May suggest your prostate is enlarged and/or inflamed and further tests for prostate cancer should be performed.

Men between the ages of 55-69 may benefit from annual PSA screening. Men over the age of 70 that do not show prostate cancer signs and have no family history of prostate cancer generally do not need an annual PSA screen.

Physical Examination

As part of prostate cancer screening, your healthcare provider may decide to perform a physical examination. During the examination, the provider gently inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum and examines the adjacent prostate, checking for size, shape, and texture abnormalities. Abnormalities may suggest further tests are needed.

Core Needle Biopsy

A core needle biopsy is a commonly ordered test after a cancer screening shows elevated PSA levels and/or prostate abnormalities. During the minimally invasive procedure, a cancer specialist collects a prostate tissue sample and sends it to the lab for analysis. A pathologist examines the cells to see if they are cancerous. If they are, prostate cancer is diagnosed, graded, and assigned a Gleason score, which indicates the likeliness that cancer will grow and spread.

Cancer Screening at RWJBarnabas Health

As previously mentioned, men between the ages of 55 and 69 are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider about prostate cancer screening. Please contact us if you are interested in prostate cancer screening at RWJBarnabas Health. We have a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, nurses, nurse navigators, and social workers that work together to provide patients with the most advanced diagnostic options and treatment options for prostate cancer.

To contact one of New Jersey’s best prostate cancer specialists call
844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.