Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Norwegian men. Over half of the cases affect men over 70 years of age.
Early detection is important, but it is a challenge to balance the benefits of early detection against the risk of unnecessary treatment
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men.
The risk increases with age, especially after turning 50 years old.
Family history can increase the risk.
Symptoms to be aware of:
If you experience any of the mentioned symptoms, especially if they are persistent or worsening.
If you have a family history of prostate cancer or the breast and ovarian cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Regular health check-ups are recommended for men over 50, but discuss an earlier screening age with your doctor based on your risk profile.
A digital rectal examination (DRE) is a physical examination where a doctor uses a finger to feel the prostate through the rectum. DRE is an important part of the clinical assessment for prostate cancer, but it's important to understand that it is not a very accurate test for detecting prostate cancer on its own.
Here are some key points about the accuracy of DRE:
Sensitivity: DRE has limited sensitivity, especially for detecting early stages of prostate cancer. This means that DRE can miss many early cancer forms that cannot be felt as lumps or irregularities through the rectum.
Specificity: DRE has higher specificity, which means that if a doctor detects an abnormality during the examination, it may be an indication of prostate cancer. However, DRE can also lead to false alarms in some cases, such as due to benign enlargements or inflammations in the prostate gland.
Overall, DRE is a useful but limited part of a clinical assessment for prostate cancer. DRE is typically used as part of a broader approach to screening, along with the PSA test and other factors like the patient's age, family history, and symptoms.
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is a blood test that can indicate changes in the prostate. Although PSA testing can reduce the mortality of prostate cancer, it does not necessarily increase overall survival. It is also unreliable for early detection and exclusion of prostate cancer. However, it is useful for treatment monitoring and for tracking the progression of the disease.
Norwegian health authorities and experts agree that routine PSA measurements for healthy men without risk factors are not recommended. Individual assessment should be conducted, especially if there is a family history of prostate cancer. PSA testing should not be performed without full information on its pros and cons.