Prostate Awareness Month – Should You Get Screened for Prostate Cancer?
In the past, men in their forties and fifties received a simple message from doctors about prostate cancer screening: "Get screened! It may save your life". In recent years, that message has gotten more complicated. Medical professionals have debated about whether the benefits of screening outweigh potential harms. What potential harms? False positives, unnecessary surgery or radiation, and complications, such as erectile dysfunction or urinary problems, can be a result of the treatment.
The American Cancer Society recommends men discuss with their doctors the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening. Men should not receive screening unless they have received this information first. For men at average risk, the American Cancer Society recommends having the discussion at age 50. Move the talk to age 45 if you're African American or have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) who was diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65. Men at the highest risk are those who have more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age should consult with their doctors at age 40. The bottom line is patients need to talk with their primary care physician and evaluate their risk before making a decision about screening.
For many years, Dr. Darkes was the Medical Director of the Rex Senior Health Center, a geriatric medical practice in Raleigh, North Carolina and a passionate advocate for prostate cancer prevention and awareness in African American men. He is a member of the Wake County (North Carolina) Prostate Cancer Coalition and serves on the Board of Directors of the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Minority Prostate Cancer Awareness Action Team. Dr. Darkes has developed and implemented several support programs for African American prostate cancer patients, survivors, and their families, such as the Prostate Cancer Shepherds (PC Shepherds) and Prostate Cancer Angels (PC Angels). The PC Shepherds Program provides training for survivors who volunteer as empathetic listeners, informed confidants, reference sources, and support for men who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. The PC Angels program provides similar support to spouses and significant others. Dr. Darkes serves as the Supervising Physician of the Annual Free Prostate Cancer Screening sponsored by Rex Healthcare. To date he has provided well over 3,000 free screenings of which over 70% have been for African American men.
Click here to learn more:
https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/should-you-get-screened-for-prostate-cancer/
