Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Why Early Screening Matters

Why Early Detection Saves Lives

The good news is that when prostate cancer is found early, outcomes are dramatically better. Localized prostate cancer has a near perfect five year survival rate, while survival drops sharply once the disease spreads. Advances in early detection over the past three decades have already improved survival rates, but there is still much work to do to ensure more men are diagnosed before the cancer becomes advanced.

Understanding the PSA Blood Test

One of the most important tools for early detection is the PSA blood test. PSA, or prostate specific antigen, is a protein made by cells in the prostate. In healthy men, most PSA is released into semen, with only small amounts entering the bloodstream. Cancer cells disrupt this balance. They tend to release more PSA overall, which raises total PSA levels in the blood.

At the same time, PSA molecules from cancerous tissue are more often bound to proteins rather than circulating freely, which lowers the proportion of free PSA. This means that men with prostate cancer typically show both an elevated total PSA and a reduced free PSA percentage compared with healthy men or those with benign prostate enlargement.

Next Steps After an Abnormal Result

When a PSA result is abnormal, the first step is often to repeat the blood test to confirm it. If the finding persists, the next step is an MRI scan of the prostate. MRI provides a detailed image of the gland and helps doctors see whether a suspicious lesion is present. This reduces the need for unnecessary biopsies while ensuring that clinically significant cancers are not missed. If the MRI identifies a concerning area, a targeted biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Take Action This Month

The message this month is clear. Prostate cancer is very common, often silent in its early stages, and potentially deadly if ignored. Screening with total and free PSA, followed by MRI when results remain abnormal, gives men the best chance of finding prostate cancer early and dramatically improving survival. If you are 50 or older, or younger with a family history or other risk factors, we highly recommend you get screened.