Approximately 300,000 men across the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, making it the most common form of cancer in men. There are no symptoms for early-stage prostate cancer, which makes screening very important. But questions abound as to who should get tested and when – and what method should be used. In May, debate grew in the medical community after the American Urological Association announced that it no longer recommends routine screenings for men ages 40 to 54 who face an average risk of getting prostate cancer. It now says testing should be considered for those ages 55 to 69.
As September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we revisit the above questions and issues in the latest edition of Sound Health, a podcast produced by Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Jay Raman, associate professor of Urology, answers questions about this important topic.