Taking care of your health may not always feel urgent, but prostate cancer is a serious risk for men. It is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men, and 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime. The challenge is that it rarely has symptoms early on, which makes screening one of the most important steps you can take.

The PSA blood test has changed how prostate cancer is detected by finding it before symptoms appear. It is a simple test done during your annual physical and does not require anything complicated to get started. If you are between 45 and 50 and have not had one yet, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to get your baseline.

Do it for your family and your quality of life

It is common to put off screenings because of discomfort or uncertainty, especially when you feel fine. But your health is not just about you; it is about the people who rely on you every day. A simple blood test now can help you avoid more serious treatment later and protect the life you have built.

Stories like baseball great Ryne Sandberg’s are a reminder of how serious prostate cancer can be and why early detection matters. In most cases, prostate cancer grows slowly and does not progress from undetected to advanced in a short time, which means you have a window to catch it early. Talk to your doctor and take advantage of that window while the disease is most treatable.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland located deep in your pelvis, between your bladder and penis, with the urethra running directly through it. It plays an important role in fertility by producing most of the fluid in semen and helping semen move during ejaculation. Most of the time, you will not notice it until something changes.

As you age, the prostate often grows, which can lead to benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is not cancer, but it can still affect your daily life. You may notice needing to urinate more often, waking up at night, or feeling like your bladder is not empty. While these generally are not signs or symptoms of early-stage prostate cancer, there are many effective treatments or urinary tract symptoms that can significantly improve your quality of life.

Early-stage patients may not require treatment

If prostate cancer is detected early, it does not always require immediate treatment. Many men can safely monitor the condition for years without it progressing or causing symptoms. Some may never need treatment.

Because many prostate cancers are slow-growing, screening gives you time. It allows you and your doctor to make informed decisions rather than rushing into treatment once symptoms appear.

PSA screening

Prostate screening is most often done with a PSA blood test, and it can be completed without a rectal exam. While a rectal exam may still be used in some cases, it is often performed less frequently and is not always needed for an initial baseline. Additional tests, such as the prostate health index (PHI), 4K score, isoPSA, and ExoDx, may be used to gather more detailed information when needed.

Who is at risk

If you are between 45 and 50, you should consider annual prostate screening in most cases. If you are at higher risk, screening should start closer to age 40. The higher-risk group includes African American men, men with a strong family history, and those with certain genetic mutations identified through testing.

There is also a link between obesity and more aggressive prostate cancer. Staying active, building strength and maintaining a healthy diet can help lower your risk and support long-term health.

When to talk to your doctor

You should check in with your doctor at least once a year and more often if something feels off. If you notice frequent urination or feel like you always need to go, it may be a sign that your prostate is affecting how your body functions. These symptoms are sometimes described as the prostate “clogging the plumbing” and should not be ignored.

If treatment is needed, procedures such as robotic prostate surgery allow surgeons to operate with greater precision in a very small space deep in the pelvis. This approach can help improve recovery and protect important functions.

Prostate care at Endeavor Health

At Endeavor Health, your care team helps you detect prostate concerns early and guides you through the next steps with clarity and confidence. A PSA test helps establish your baseline and identify early signs of cancer or benign conditions, so you know where you stand. Contact your primary care doctor or schedule a PSA screening to take control of your health and help protect your future.