Men 50 and older—and African-American men 40 and older—should get a prostate cancer screening.
In Delaware, African-American men are two times more likely to die of prostate cancer than Caucasian men. Prostate cancer, across the United States, is found more in African Americans. The risk of prostate cancer is increased in men who:
- Have a family history of prostate cancer or female breast cancer
- Eat fatty foods
- Are age 50 or older—or African-American and age 40 or older
Many times there are no symptoms, but prostate cancer can cause:
- The need to urinate several times during the night
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- Blood in the urine
There are two tests that can help find prostate cancer.
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): A lubricated, gloved finger is inserted into the rectum to check the prostate gland.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test: A blood test that shows how much PSA—a chemical made up of normal and cancerous prostate cells—is in the blood. A high level of PSA may indicate prostate cancer.
