Prostate Cancer Screening Can Save Your Life

Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer among men in the United States, affecting one in eight men. Fortunately, when caught early, it is highly curable, which is why regular testing for prostate cancer is essential to maintaining men’s health.

Key Takeaways: Prostate Cancer Screening

• Prostate cancer is common but highly treatable when caught early. Regular screening like digital rectal exams and PSA tests help detect prostate cancer while it’s still localized and most curable.
• Screening helps catch cancer before symptoms develop. Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms, so routine testing is essential for early detection and better outcomes.
• Risk increases with age and other factors. Most prostate cancers occur in men 65 and older, and risks are higher for those with family history, a sedentary lifestyle or a diet high in fat.
• Early detection improves treatment success. When prostate cancer is identified early, options like surgery, radiation or active surveillance can be more effective and less invasive.

When Matteson resident Andrin Jones started as a new patient with Lance Wallace, MD, a Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC, ABM-certified internal medicine physician, the doctor ordered a comprehensive panel of screening labs, including a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

That PSA test revealed that the retired U.S. Air Force veteran had an elevated level of a protein made by the prostate.

Mr. Jones’ personal history of elevated PSA levels prompted Dr. Wallace to refer him to James Siegert, DO, a Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC urologist and urological surgeon.

“There’s no specific normal PSA level,” Dr. Siegert said. “It’s about trends. The higher the number, the greater the risk of cancer, and that risk also depends on the patient’s age.”

Dr. Siegert’s follow-up testing three months later revealed stage two adenocarcinoma, a type of prostate cancer. Fortunately, the cancer was caught early and was still contained within the prostate.

After meeting with both physicians and discussing various treatment options, Mr. Jones opted to have his prostate surgically removed. That procedure was successfully performed in October 2023. He has now been cancer free for more than one year, and he remains in good health.

“Most organizations recommend that men begin prostate cancer screening around age 50 or 55 unless they fall into a higher-risk category,” said Dr. Siegert, who is board certified in urologic surgery.

According to Dr. Siegert, those higher-risk groups include African American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, particularly those with a first-degree relative, such as a father or brother with a history of prostate cancer. Those men are urged to begin testing much sooner at the direction of their doctors.

Dr. Wallace further explained that, while it is commonly a slow growing cancer, prostate cancer can also be very aggressive in some men and lead to death. He generally screens all male patients beginning at age 40 for prostate cancer.

“Like anything, the earlier you catch it, the less treatment will be involved in treating the cancer, and the chance for success is greater,” said Dr. Wallace, who has been delivering care to Southland residents for nearly 30 years.

“Treatment options will vary depending on the patient and the cancer’s progression,” Dr. Siegert said. “They can include active surveillance, surgery to remove the prostate, or radiation therapy.”

Mr. Jones credits his faith, family and the expertise and collaborative approach of his medical team for his positive outcome.

“After my surgery, I told myself, ‘This time last year I had cancer. Today, I don’t.’ That perspective kept me in a strong mental place throughout my recovery,” Mr. Jones said.

Grateful for the care he received from Drs. Wallace and Siegert, he has made it his mission to educate other men about the importance of prostate cancer screening.

“The knowledge I’ve gained is something I now share with other men,” Mr. Jones said, “and they’re thankful for it.”