Prostate Cancer Early Detection: a Clinical Perspective

In the US prostate cancer is a significant public health concern due to its high incidence and mortality costs of detection and treatment and the lack of best form of treatment for any stage of the disease. With the introduction of methods of prostate cancer detection a dramatic increase was observed in the number of prostate cancer cases indicating that the introduction of effective screening test leads to detection of the disease in more patients. Prostate cancer screening or early detection has been accomplished through digital rectal examination measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) transrectal ultrasonography and a combination of these tests. First-line detection effort should focus on the use of digital rectal examination and serum PSA. However early detection of prostate cancer requires consideration of economic issues because the cost of early detection is not limited to the screening tests alone. In this regard patients must be informed on the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening before it is carried out.