Typically twice a year is advisable. However, your urologist will choose what is best for you based on your specific situation.
It is a blood test. Not a semen test.
A test for PSA may be used to screen for cancer of the prostate of an individual. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland and building up this protein may lead to cancer.
"Someone takes a PSA test to look for signs of prostate cancer. The PSA can help identify cancer early on, when treatment is most likely effective. It can also be done by a simply available blood test."
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood screen for prostate cancer.
This is purely a matter of debate, but I think a lot of people would agree that it is better to screen early. But this could also lead to the believe that they do not have prostate cancer and it coming up in the near future.
There is no blood test that can act as a true/false for prostate cancer, but PSA (prostate specific antigen) can be measured to screen for it.
The blood test for PSA is used to screen older men to detect prostate cancer at an early stage, and also to monitor its response to treatment.
Men, aged 50 and above, should be concerned with prostate health, although new thinking in the medical community suggests that men begin having checks as early as 30. A simple PSA test can screen for signs of prostate cancer.
Screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common types of cancer screening done at Planned Parenthood. Biopsy for endometrial and vulvar cancer are also common services. Offices may also order testing to screen for colon and prostate cancer, and the typical examination will also look for signs of cancer of the thyroid, skin, and testicles.
It depends on how aggressive is your particular prostate cancer. In general, if you get prostate CA at a younger age, it's more aggressive and would need to be treated appropriately. On the other hand, if you live long enough, the majority of old men will have a slow growing form of prostate CA. These men often die of other causes (heart, lung, kidney diseases), but not because of the prostate CA. The fear of prostate CA and breast CA are a bit out of proportion to the death rate because of the "CANCER" diagnose. People should worry about heart disease more since that kills many more people. I have patients with uncontrolled diabetes, obese, and smoking coming worry about prostate CA or breast CA. Sure, I'll screen them for prostate CA and breast CA, but they should put more effort in controlling what's more controllable like stop smoking and diet/exercise.
Back surgeries with screen and screws will not cause cancer.
Men are always pressured by healthcare professionals to see their doctors periodically to screen for prostate cancer. This is mainly because the beginning stages of prostate cancer generally yield no warning signs or symptoms. Symptoms of prostate cancer generally become apparent once the prostate cancer has proceeded past its early stages, or if it has spread. Once prostate cancer exits its early stages, a number of symptoms are likely to appear.Common SignsProstate cancer is marked by trouble with urination that has never been observed before by the victim. You might notice that you're using the bathroom frequently, and that it's painful and/or difficult to either start or stop urinating. A poor stream of urine that might stop suddenly is also a sign of prostate cancer. The stream of urine can sometimes be so weak and/or painful for the victim, that he must sit down to urinate. Poor control over urination is also common (such as urinating while coughing or laughing).Signs in More Advanced CasesOnce the cancer has spread or worsened, it's likely that the victim will observe additional symptoms along with the original signs. Advanced prostate cancer is marked by a stiffness and dull pain in the lower torso around the pelvis, upper thighs, lower back, and more. Many victims of advanced prostate cancer have noted that the pain seemed to originate from bones in the lower pelvis.Likewise, those experiencing symptoms for this stage of prostate cancer are likely to observe frequent feelings of nausea and a loss of appetite. Weight loss is common, along with frequent vomiting and fatigue.In some cases, the lower extremities will swell, and they might become either weak or paralyzed. Constipation is often seen accompanied with these types of symptoms.When to Call a DoctorIf you observe any of these symptoms, it's a great idea to stay on the safe side and contact your doctor. Trouble with urination, pain in the lower torso, swelling of the lower extremities, and other conditions are all warning signs of prostate cancer. Keep your doctor informed about anything you notice happening with your body. The sooner you alert your doctor to your findings, the better.