Who should get a prostate cancer screening and how often?
Discuss your prostate cancer risk with your health care provider and make an informed decision about whether you should be screened.
Who should be screened:
- Men at average risk should be screened starting at age 50.
- High-risk men (African-American men) should be screened at 45.
- Men with more than one first-degree relative with prostate cancer at a young age should start screening at age 40.
Screening is performed using a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, with or without a digital rectal exam (DRE).
Causes
What causes prostate cancer?
Men who are at a higher risk:
- Eat a diet high in red meat and high-fat dairy
- Are obese
- Use tobacco
- Are heavy alcohol users
- Are older (risk increases sharply after age 45)
- Are African-American
- Are from North America or of a northwestern European nationality
- Have a family history of prostate cancer or have inherited DNA changes or gene mutations
- Have higher levels of testosterone
- Have an infection and inflammation of the prostate gland
Symptoms
Prostate cancer symptoms can sometimes include:
- Frequent urination, particularly at night
- Pain during orgasm
- Blood in the urine
Nurse Navigators
Delaware nurse navigators can help you get screened for cancer.
Whether you have insurance or not, Delaware nurse navigators can help you get screened for cancer and provide follow-up help when you get your results. Choose from the list below to call a nurse navigator directly, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or click the call request button to have a nurse navigator contact you.
- Bayhealth: 302-566-1202
- Beebe Healthcare: 302-297-8342
- Christiana Care: 302-261-8719
- TidalHealth: 302-604-5243 ext. 3765
- Saint Francis Hospital: 302-504-6732
- Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition: 302-672-6435 ext. 1002
Helpful links
Quit Smoking
There are two ways to get help to quit smoking from specially trained counselors: Call the Delaware Quitline by phone at 1-866-409-1858 or visit QuitSupport.com.
Learn moreHealthy Living
Live better. Our Healthy Lifestyle Map will show you where you can find fresh local produce at farmers’ markets and how to stay active at local fitness centers and parks.
View Healthy Lifestyle MapActivity Lowers Your Risk for Certain Cancers
Access the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Physical Activity and Cancer chart to see how regular physical activity can lower your risk for eight cancers.
Learn more