THE NO. 1 QUESTION TO ASK ABOUT YOUR PROSTATE CANCER RISK, ACCORDING TO A DOCTOR

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Early detection for prostate cancer should start with a conversation. The American Cancer Society recommends male patients between 40-50 speak with their doctors about screening.

Certain age groups, ethnic groups, and those with a family history of prostate cancer are especially vulnerable and should prioritize these conversations, says Dr. Cedrek McFadden, board-certified colon and rectal surgeon.

National medical experts agree. They, however, don’t offer a script for how to broach the conversation about your prostate health. McFadden does.

Here’s what to ask your doctor about your prostate cancer risk.

Never Have I Ever: Forgotten To Ask My Doctor This Question About Prostate Cancer

“Am I at higher risk for prostate cancer than the average man, and what should I do differently because of it?” This is the most important question, McFadden tells TODAY.com.

It will prompt your doctor to look into your family’s medical history, specifically whether you have a first-degree relative (brother or father) with prostate cancer. Your doctor will also consider your ethnic background, especially if you are African American or Hispanic, which increases your risk for prostate cancer. They’ll factor in your age, too. Then, finally, they’ll investigate whether your diet, drinking habits and physical activity level could further impact your risk.

Ideally, your doctor would bring up cancer screenings first, since 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime, but it doesn’t always happen, says McFadden. So, taking your health into your own hands is critical.

While you might feel healthy now, prostate cancer often goes undetected without symptoms for years. Then, suddenly, it might advance aggressively.

“No one thinks they can get sick until they get sick, and then we’re reminded that we’re human,” McFadden adds.

Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis in men, research has found, but survival rates are fortunately improving.

What to Do Instead

The American Cancer Society recommends discussing prostate cancer screening with a doctor at the following ages:

• Age 50 for men with an average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.
• Age 45 for men with a high risk of prostate cancer. This includes African American men 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).

Your doctor will speak to you about the pros and cons of screenings. And, in some cases, you might not be a fit. Access to screening depends on socioeconomic status and knowledge of family history, McFadden points out. So, he stresses, if you can speak to a doctor about your prostate health, take advantage of the opportunity.

When it comes time for you to get screened, McFadden says there are two ways to detect prostate cancer. One option is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The other option is a digital rectal exam (DRE). If any suspicious tissue is discovered, a biopsy will then confirm whether you have cancer, says McFadden.

Depending on your diagnosis, you may or may not undergo treatment. Some patients might require medication or surgery, while others will be recommended for continued monitoring, returning for retesting every few years without treatment to see if the cancer spreads.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

2026-09-02T18:13:13Z