Prostate Cancer Screening

 Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer (aside from non-melanoma skin cancers) for men in Canada. While there is no formal screening program in Manitoba, men are encouraged to get a simple blood test each year that can detect prostate cancer. This blood test is for Prostate Specific Antigen and it is recommended for men aged 50 and over, and younger if there is a family history of prostate cancer or if you are of African-Canadian heritage. Most family doctors will suggest this blood test or you can ask for it.

Another option is to bypass your family doctor and go to Manitoba Men's Health Clinic. You can even book an appointment online. https://mhclinic.ca/prostate-cancer-screening/

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate. It is elevated if you have prostate cancer. Unfortunately it is an imperfect test and some men with cancer can have a normal PSA and some men who do not have cancer can have a high PSA. It is important to consider the overall health of the man and not just focus on the PSA result. This is why some doctors will repeat a PSA test after an interval of time to see if the result is higher or lower than before. Additionally doctors will also do a digital rectal exam to determine if the prostate is enlarged. It is particularly important to use the blood test as a screening tool in men who have a longer life expectancy. It is less valuable as a test of men in what is expected to be their last decade of life. The biggest benefit of the blood test is for men in their 50s and 60s as it has lead to a lower mortality rate and better outcomes due to the cancer being detected earlier.

If your results are normal nothing further need to be done, except to repeat the test yearly. If it is abnormal or if a physical exam suggests an enlarged prostate you will be referred to the Dr. Ernest W. Ramsey Manitoba Prostate Centre for further testing. This is the provincial centre for prostate diseases. They have a whole team of professionals that will provide assessments, diagnosis, treatment and support.

Prostate cancer is highly survivable especially with an early diagnosis. Treatments are improving and expanding all the time, giving most men a very good outcome and many more good years with their loved ones. Over 90% of men survive 5 years after diagnosis and almost 100% of men survive if diagnosed in the first 3 stages of prostate cancer. Please ensure a similar outcome by asking your doctor for a PSA blood test. Do not wait!