The Importance of Prostate Cancer Screenings 

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s time to remind men to talk to their healthcare provider about prostate cancer screening.  

“Generally, we recommend that men with prostates undergo regular screenings from age 55 to 69,” WVU Medicine Urologist Eric Whitman, MD, said. “If you have a family history, like a father or brother diagnosed at an early age, we may need to start screenings and discussions earlier, typically between ages 40 and 45.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Virginia reported 1,599 prostate cancer cases in 2022, and in 2023, 214 prostate cancer deaths. Seventy-eight percent of all prostate cancers reported during this time were diagnosed as localized, which reiterates the critical importance of prostate cancer screening. 

“Prostate cancer tends to grow very slowly,” Dr. Whitman said. “Prostate cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms in the early stages, which is why screening is so important.” 

The most common screening for prostate cancer is a blood test called a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. This screening measures the level of PSA, which is a substance made by the prostate, in the blood. PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer.   

“If you have a prostate, I recommend talking to your healthcare provider about personal risk factors and the need for screenings,” Dr. Whitman said. “Early detection often means more treatment options and better outcomes.”  

Learn more: Urology | WVU Medicine