Prostate cancer screening guidance: Joe Biden's diagnosis raises questions
Share this @internewscast.com


(The Hill) — Former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis is highlighting the importance of screening for one of the most common types of cancer in older men.

Biden’s aggressive cancer diagnosis, announced Sunday evening, is causing many to question whether warning signs could have been caught earlier.

However, cancer screening is complicated, and experts say early detection and overtreatment must be balanced.

Prostate cancer most common cancer for men

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects men. In the U.S., about 13 out of every 100 men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, and about two to three men diagnosed with it will die, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found.

However, the American Cancer Society does not recommend routine testing for men at any age. The organization instead recommends that discussions on screening for early detection begin at age 40 for those with a high risk and 50 years for those with an average risk.

“Overall health status, and not age alone, is important when making decisions about screening,” the organization adds.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of experts that makes recommendations on services like screenings, states that men over 70 years old should not be screened for prostate cancer and that men aged 55 to 69 years should be screened based on the patient’s individual judgment after consulting with their physician.

African American men have increased risk of dying from cancer: Experts

The most common risk factors include age, genetics, family history, and race and ethnicity.

The USPSTF noted that African American men have an increased lifetime risk of developing or dying from the cancer, at 4.2%. Hispanic men face a 2.9% lifetime risk, white men face a 2.3% lifetime risk, and Asian and Pacific Islander men face a 2.1% lifetime risk.

The American Cancer Society noted that prostate cancer grows slowly, so screenings for men with no symptoms who have less than a 10-year life expectancy are not recommended because “they aren’t likely to benefit from it.”

If the individual chooses to go forward with screening, the American Cancer Society recommends they get the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, noting that a digital rectal exam (DRE) may also be done as part of screening.

In some cases, such as those with high initial PSA levels, the best option will be a prostate biopsy, the organization noted.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

US-Iran Nuclear Negotiations Set to Restart in Norway Next Week: Report

() White House envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas…

Actor Julian McMahon passes away following a private struggle with cancer.

Julian McMahon, an actor best known for his performances in FBI: Most…

Focus on Community: Highlights from Georgetown Fair

GEORGETOWN, Ill. (WCIA) — Paili Davis, Miss Georgetown Fair Queen, joined WCIA’s…

Joey Chestnut Wins Back His Title with 17th Victory at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Renowned competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut made a triumphant return on Friday,…

Family Promise Benefits from Large Donation Collection

SAVANNAH, Ga. () – Eleven forty-foot boxes of furniture are now in…

Live Coverage: Several Confirmed Fatalities in Texas Floods

() Heavy rains caused a catastrophic flood emergency in Texas on Friday,…

Ex-Arsenal Star Partey Faces Five Allegations of Rape

LONDON — Former English Premier League player Thomas Partey has been accused…

Russia Conducts Massive Airstrike on Ukraine’s Capital Amid Rising Doubt Over Trump Ceasefire

The Kremlin reported that Trump discussed “the issue of an immediate ceasefire”…

Healthcare transport service issues apology for dropping woman off at incorrect address

In Tampa, Florida, Ronnette Hall voiced her dissatisfaction earlier this week about…

Synagogue Door Set Ablaze by Arsonist, Prompting Congregation Evacuation in Australia

MELBOURNE – An assailant set aflame the entrance of a synagogue in…

Governor Greg Abbott Designates Texarkana as Film-Friendly

TEXARKANA, Tx. (KTAL/KMSS) – Texarkana will now join more than 200 Film…

Oglethorpe Mall Reopens Following Shooting Incident on July 2nd

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The Oglethorpe Mall has reopened for the first…