What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and are confined to the prostate gland, where they may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly. Prostate cancer that's detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland — has the best chance for successful treatment.
Who Should Consider Getting Screened?
Recommended for men who are 55 to 69 years of age.Why Screening is Important
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The PSA blood test measures the protein in your blood called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). A PSA test can detect cancers that may be at risk of spreading to other parts of your body. The PSA is not used alone, your provider may want to also do a digital rectal exam to diagnose and create a treatment plan for any abnormalities.