In This Issue

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer (excluding skin cancer) among men and the second leading cause of cancer death for men in Utah and the U.S. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. Other risk factors include a history of prostate cancer in a first-degree relative and Black race. Two tests are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer: the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA test, and the digital rectal exam. Although screening can detect early-stage prostate cancers, it is not yet known whether early detection results in reduced mortality from this disease. Clinical trials designed to answer this question are ongoing. Most major U.S. medical organizations recommend that physicians discuss with their patients the potential benefits and possible harms of PSA screening, consider patient preferences, and individualize the decision to screen.14