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THE DECISION IS BEST
made
after talking with your doctor.
There are some things you can do for
your health that are definitely worthwhile,
like stopping smoking. But there are other
things once believed to be good for you
that now are of questionable benefit.
One is prostate cancer screening.
It might seem logical that finding can-
cer early—the goal of screening—would
always be a good thing. But that’s not
necessarily the case with prostate cancer.
What are the risks?
According to the U.S. Preventive Services
Task Force (USPSTF), most prostate
cancers are slow-growing and unlikely
to harm a man during his lifetime. But
treating this cancer when it isn’t neces-
sary can, and often does, prove harmful.
At most, just one out of every 1,000
men who are screened for prostate can-
cer will avoid dying from the disease. But
about 50 will have complications, such
as erectile dysfunction or loss of bladder
control, because of their treatment.
Ready for
this, guys?
Learn more
about prostate
cancer at our
men’s health
seminar and
luncheon with
urologist Joshua Waits, MD, on
Tuesday, August 25, at noon.
To register, call
334-293-8888
or
visit
www.jackson.org/events .Prostate cancer
Should you be
screened?
These recommendations are for most
men. Talk with your doctor about
what’s right for you.
*African American men should talk
with their doctor at age 45.
Sources: American Cancer Society; Ameri-
can Heart Association; National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases;
National Osteoporosis Foundation
SCREENING TESTS
BY AGE FOR MEN
A discussion worth having
Joshua Waits, MD, with The Jackson
Clinic Urology, said it is important for
patients to talk to their doctors about
being screened.
“Certainly, screening may not be
right for every man, yet recent studies
have shown that screening with PSA
(prostate specific antigen) test and
DRE (digital rectal exam) has provided
overall survival benefit compared to
men who were not screened,” Dr. Waits
said.
It’s best to talk with your doctor about
whether screening for the disease makes
sense for you.
The American Cancer Society rec-
ommends that men at average risk of
prostate cancer who are expected to
live at least 10 years have this discussion
beginning at age 50. Men at increased
risk should have the discussion at age 45
or even earlier.
Our primary care physicians are
accepting patients. To make an appoint-
ment, call
334-293-8888
.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Start screening at least every
2 years.
CHOLESTEROL
Start screening every 5 years.
DIABETES
Ask your doctor about
screening.
DIABETES
Start screening at least every
3 years.
COLORECTAL CANCER
Talk to your doctor about
screening options.
PROSTATE CANCER*
Ask your doctor about
screening.
ABDOMINAL AORTIC
ANEURYSM
Get screened once between
ages 65 and 75, if you’ve ever
smoked.
OSTEOPOROSIS
Start screening, depending on
your risk factors.
20
30
45
50
65
70
Joshua
Waits, MD
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