Prostate Cancer Screening
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in this gland.
In the U.S., one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Most men diagnosed with this disease do not die from it. However, prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death for men.
Screening Recommendations
The choice of when to be screened is a shared decision between a health-care provider and patient, based on personal and family health history and other risk factors.
The American Cancer Society recommends that a discussion about screening should take place at:
- Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.
- Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
- Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).
Read the full guidance from the American Cancer Society.
Please note: Other cancer-related organizations may have different screening recommendations. All recommendations change based on new research evidence.
Patient Navigation to Prostate Cancer Screening
The Ralph Lauren Center provides individual navigation services to help individuals who need prostate cancer screening. This is provided through MedStar Health. The RLC’s patient navigators assist patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay and continue to navigate patients through follow-up care. All services provided by the RLC are also offered in Spanish by our bilingual navigators.
Please call our patient navigators to schedule your screening and navigation services appointment at 202-784-2720. (Se habla español: 202-784-2705.)