A new prostate screening guideline has emerged by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, recommending Black men begin screening their Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) levels for prostate cancer at age 40.
These new guidelines were presented by Isla Garraway, MD, PhD, professor and director of research in urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and scientist in the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, during the 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco and published in NEJM Evidence.
Black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a much higher rate than white men. The American Cancer Society states Black men are 70% to 110% more likely to develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. The cancer is also shown to progress at a higher rate with Black men being twice as likely to die from prostate cancer. This is why it’s extremely important to start routine screening early, because the earlier prostate cancer is detected the easier it is to treat.
“There are likely various factors converging to contribute to a higher incidence of prostate cancer in Black men, along with a tendency for more aggressive forms of the disease,” said Dr Garraway “These factors may include genetic ancestry, exposure to environmental carcinogens, and the impact of stress, which can affect overall health.”
Screening
Dr. Cavey and his team at Texas Radiotherapy agree with the Prostate Cancer recommendation that Black men and men with family history of prostate cancer begin routine screening at age 40. When detected early, prostate cancer can be highly curable. Screening can involve a routine blood test to check your PSA levels or a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE).
Dr. Cavey offers advanced diagnosis tools like the MR-fusion transperineal biopsies that will supplement a PSA or your doctor’s DRE to define the cancer’s stage.
Treatment
At Texas Radiotherapy, we utilize the most advanced technology in prostate cancer treatment including brachytherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT/SRS). Dr. Cavey is one of the few doctors in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex that regularly performs brachytherapy.
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