Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. African-American men face a one in three chance of being diagnosed. Over 30,000 men will die each year from prostate cancer; however ,early detection may save lives.
The American Urological Association Foundation (AUA Foundation) is concerned that recent studies about prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing may present conflicting information to patients about the value of this critical prostate-cancer screening test. The benefits of regular screening and early detection should not be discounted in the overall population. The AUA Foundation believes that the decision to screen is one that a man should make with his doctor following a careful discussion of the benefits and risks of screening. In men who wish to be screened, the AUA recommends getting a baseline PSA, along with a physical exam of the prostate known as a digital rectal exam (DRE) at age 40.