Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer

The first symptoms of prostate cancer is very rare. If the condition in its earliest stage, chances are, there would be no signal. In most cases in the early stage of prostate cancer is often diagnosed by accident or by prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test or digital rectal examination (DRE), which can be part of a routine inspection. Because of the increased attention to the disease, most people, especially those who are 45 years or more, often for routine tests to ensure that your prostate in good health.

The use of tests to assess the first signs of prostate cancer was more common in the 1990s. Statistics have shown that mortality from prostate cancer has decreased as a result of increased use of these diagnostic methods. Despite their apparent usefulness, the scientific community is divided on whether it is advisable for men to pass these tests, even with the absence of symptoms.

PSA and DRE methods possible problems with them. On the one hand, these detection techniques are not 100 percent accurate. A person in the PSA level can be erratic due to causes other than cancer. Drugs and other factors can cause this, which in turn can lead to a wrong assessment. Digital rectal examination, used to detect defects in shape, texture and size of the prostate, may also be misinterpreted and that the irregularities may be caused by other conditions of the prostate.

Several medical societies have warned against the use of routine tests during the early stages because the results could lead to fear or confusion. If the results are normal, a patient may be a false sense of security could lead to neglect or eliminate all together precaution. Moreover, a man who gets a positive result from a PSA test or digital rectal examination may choose to have a biopsy, despite the reduced risk and discomfort associated with the process.

Some experts recommend routine examinations that are offered to patients when they are 50 years or more. Except for men who belong to high risk groups, routine testing for prostate cancer is not recommended for women under the age of 50 years. For people with high risk, such as those with first-degree relatives with prostate cancer, the test should be done as early as age 45. Annual follow-up is also recommended for these persons, because their chances of having the condition are higher than the ordinary man.

Before deciding whether a PSA test or digital rectal examination to confirm the onset of prostate cancer, factors such as age and health should be considered. If a man is young and is genetically predestined, then recommend testing principles, because there would be more likely to be treated as prisoners early. If a patient is old and in poor health, he should discuss your options with your doctor first. Maybe not needed for evidence of prostate cancer is a slowly developing disease. It may not be a problem and the person could die of other causes before it can impact your life.