When former President Joe Biden found himself having an aggressive prostate cancerthe headlines sparked questions across the country. Not long after, ESPN’s Jay Harris shared his own prostate cancer diagnosis, offering a raw, honest look at something many men shy away from talking about.
Powerful celebrity health care stories beg the question: Are you in control?
Despite how common prostate cancer is – and how treatable it usually is when caught early – screening is still a bit of a gray area. Some men skip it altogether. Others aren’t even sure if they should. To complicate matters, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) doesn’t really offer a straight answer. Instead, the recommendation encourages men to discuss the risks and benefits with their doctors, making informed decisions based on their age, family history and personal values.
Screening for prostate cancer it’s a team sport and you’re the team leader – it’s up to you to start the conversation. So, let’s cut to the chase and get into the flakes: What do you need to know? What are the exams? And why is early detection so important?
Don’t wait for symptoms
Number 1: You can feel great and still have a serious medical condition. That’s the whole point of screenings – they’re meant to catch things before symptoms appear.
Prostate screenings reveal early signs of prostate cancer, but they can also detect other prostate problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)which is a non-cancerous condition of prostate enlargement, and prostatitiswhich is inflammation or infection of the prostate.
But what about the symptoms? If any of these conditions develop, here’s what you might notice:
| Situation | Possible symptoms |
| Prostate cancer | Later stage: Difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen, bone pain, erectile dysfunction |
| BPH | Weak stream, frequent urination (especially at night), incomplete emptying of the bladder |
| Prostatitis | Painful urination, pelvic discomfort, flu-like symptoms (if infected) |
Spoiler alert: Many men don’t experience any of these signs until the issue has been present for a while. The longer you let something go, the harder it becomes to deal with it. Screening equals early detection, and early detection equals better outcomes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USPSTF, here’s a breakdown of when you should consider screening:
- Ages 55 to 69: Screening with the PSA blood test (explained in the next section) may benefit some men. The decision to do so should be made with your doctor, taking into account your personal and family health history.
- Age 70+: Surprisingly, routine screening is not recommended, but again, your overall health and risk factors still matter. Talk to your doctor to determine what is right for you.
- High-risk groups, such as African-American men or those with a family history, should consider starting earlier, around age 40 to 45.
What can you do
Number Two: No one wants to go for a digital rectal exam. We understand that. But here’s the good news: the screening process is simpler – and more effective – than you might think.
Step 1: Know your risk
The chance of developing prostate cancer increases if:
- You are 50+
- You are African American
- You have a family history (father, brother or grandfather with prostate cancer)
- Your diet is high in red meat, saturated fat and sugar
- You live a mostly sedentary lifestyle
On the other hand, the risk can be reduced if:
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes are the stars here)
- Get enough vitamin D, selenium and soy
- Maintain a healthy weight
Step 2: Check
There are two main tools:
- The PSA test – A blood test that checks the levels of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Higher levels may signal further investigation.
- The Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) – Yes, it is uncomfortable. But it allows your doctor to evaluate unusual lumps or changes in the prostate.
Many urologists recommend that men have their baseline PSA screened at age 40, even without symptoms or risk factors. Annual screening is often recommended from age 50 or earlier if you are at high risk.
It is important to know that a high PSA does not always mean cancer. Follow-up tests, such as an MRI or biopsy, help confirm the diagnosis.
Step 3: Explore your options
If something is found, don’t panic. Many prostate cancers are slow growing and treatable. Options include:
- Active surveillance – With the watch-and-wait approach, your doctor will simply monitor the cancer over time and make decisions with you based on progression.
- Surgery – A radical prostatectomy removes the prostate gland, often using the da Vinci robotic system for precision.
- Radiation therapy – Includes brachytherapy (placing tiny radioactive seeds directly into or near the tumor) and IMRT (targeted external radiation).
- HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) – A minimally invasive treatment that uses sound waves to destroy cancer cells.
- cryotherapy – As the name suggests, this treatment aims to freeze cancer cells.
- Hormone therapy – Sometimes the hormones need to be balanced, so this prevents testosterone from slowing the growth of the cancer.
- Chemotherapy – This is usually the option if the cancer is aggressive or has spread.
Which option is the best? This depends on the cancer’s stage and Gleason score, as well as your age, general health, and personal preferences. The Gleason score is a grading system that assesses the aggressiveness of cancer based on the appearance of cancer cells in tissue samples. Scores range from 6, considered low-grade cancer, to 10, high-grade cancer. Higher scores may indicate more aggressive cancer that is likely to grow and spread more quickly.
The bigger picture
Men’s health, in general, doesn’t get the same attention as other areas of wellness. But regular checkups and screenings—whether for prostate cancer, cholesterol, blood pressure, or colon health—can change your entire trajectory.
As Jay Harris shared in his on-air reflection, being in control is about facing reality, taking action, and joining the conversation to help others do the same. Early diagnosis means less invasive treatment and better outcomes – most men die with prostate cancer, no from the. While the headlines range from alarming to reassuring, the checkup can give you peace of mind and a sense of control over your health.
Where to go from here
Don’t put it off. Have the conversation. Know your numbers. Ask questions. And if you’re in the Carolinas, consider seeing dr. Christmas, where the focus is on personalized care, early detection and providing the best options, should you need them.
Real power isn’t in ignoring your health – it’s in taking care of it.
