Some providers do a blood test called a Prostate Specific Antigen test only (PSA). If a man’s PSA level trends up over time, it could be an indication of prostate cancer.

Other providers order a PSA test and conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE). Blessing Health board-certified urologist William Severino, feels both tests deliver the most complete picture.

“Ten-to-fifteen percent of prostate cancers will have normal PSA levels,” he said.

While Blessing Health urologist Dr. Bradley Holland agrees with his partner, he understands some men are nervous about the DRE.

“The biggest thing is just getting your foot in the door with prostate cancer screening,” he said. “If it works best for you, get your PSA checked and work your way to including a DRE as part of your screening as soon as you can,” Dr. Holland said.

In 2012 the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against PSA-based screening in men of certain ages. Following the change, screening declined.

“Now we are seeing the repercussions,” said board-certified Blessing Health urologist Dr. David Lieber. “We are seeing more advanced prostate cancer than ever before.”

“The good news is that we have more treatments available than we did previously,” he continued.

Men should talk with their provider about at what age to begin prostate cancer screening. Based on family history and personal risk factors, the age to begin screening could vary.

What does prostate cancer treatment include?

“You don’t treat each person with prostate cancer the same way,” Dr. Lieber continued.

Common prostate cancer treatments include radiation therapy, surgery, or no immediate treatment if the cancer appears slow growing and closely monitoring the patient instead.

“You’ve got prostate cancer?  That does not mean we have to be aggressive with it,” Dr. Lieber added. “We educate patients on the treatment options they have.”

Blessing continues to build the options men have through purchasing a number of new, high tech pieces of equipment for screening and expanding the use of genetic testing to help personalize treatment.

“Blessing has made a huge commitment to fighting prostate cancer,” Dr. Lieber concluded. “We are really proud to be part of an institution that says, ‘This is an important.’”