Why is prostate cancer screening so important?

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in ‎the Middle East, but due to a lack of understanding of the ‎importance of screening, it is often diagnosed at a late stage.‎

A Curable Cancer ‎

Prostate cancer is often curable, but catching the disease early is ‎key.‎ With incidence rates so high in the region, experts at Cleveland ‎Clinic Abu Dhabi are aiming to raise awareness around the ‎importance of routine screening and early detection. ‎ If prostate cancer is caught in the earliest stages, when it is ‎localized to the prostate, it can usually be cured. But the problem ‎is that prostate cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages, ‎which is why routine screening is so important. ‎

How do you screen for prostate cancer? ‎

Prostate screening is done via a simple blood test called a ‎prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. PSA is a protein ‎produced in the prostate gland, and when levels within the blood ‎increase, can be an indication of prostate cancer and can also give ‎an indication of your lifetime risk of developing the disease. Other ‎factors can affect PSA levels, such as inflammation or age, so if ‎your levels are high, doctors may perform a prostate biopsy to ‎determine the exact cause. A prostate biopsy involves taking a ‎small sample of tissue from the prostate gland for analysis.‎

Who should attend prostate cancer screening? ‎

Every man over the age of 45 should attend routine prostate ‎cancer screening. If you have any other risk factors for the ‎disease, such as a family history, or if you are overweight, ‎screening should begin earlier. Other factors may put you at an ‎increased risk of prostate cancer, so talk to your doctor about ‎screening at your next check-up. ‎

Men’s health check-ups should go beyond routine prostate cancer ‎screening. Although men often struggle to prioritize preventative ‎health, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi recommends that all men over ‎the age of 40 see a urologist regularly, to take charge of their ‎prostate, urinary, and sexual health. A urologist can help identify ‎any issues early, and provide guidance on how to manage them, ‎as well as offering advice on lifestyle changes that can help ‎improve quality-of -life. ‎

Remember, prostate cancer is a common disease, but one that is ‎curable if caught early. Often with no symptoms to look out for, a ‎simple blood test could save your life.‎

Book your prostate cancer screening today. ‎