Testicular, Skin & Prostate Cancer Screening

Testicular, Skin & Prostate Cancer Screening
Page content

Introduction

In some cases, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine cancer screening due to the benefits of such screening. In other cases, routine screening is not recommended because the screening procedures are invasive and the risks outweigh any benefits that might be gained through early cancer detection. Some routine cancer screening procedures do not have enough evidence for or against them, so the task force does not make a recommendation. In this article, you’ll learn about the recommendations for screening for prostate, testicular, and skin cancers.

Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendations

The recommendation for prostate cancer screening depends on the age of the man in question. For men under the age of 75, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has not made a recommendation regarding routine prostate cancer screening. While screening tests are available, false positives and invasive procedures may diminish the benefits of routine screening. In men over the age of 75, the task force does not recommend routine screening for prostate cancer. The benefits of early detection are outweighed by the risks of screening procedures and other diagnostic tests.

Testicular Cancer Screening Recommendations

Testicular self-exam and clinical testicular exams can be used to screen for testicular cancer. However, these tests have not shown a corresponding reduction in the mortality resulting from testicular cancer. As a result, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend routine screening for testicular cancer in men who have no symptoms of such cancer. Testicular cancer rates are quite low in the United States, and current treatments have been shown to be very successful, so the risks associated with routine screening are greater than any benefits to screening.

Skin Cancer Screening Recommendations

Routine skin cancer screening would involve a yearly check of all the skin on the body for moles, growths, and other lesions. However, this type of screening has been shown to improve mortality rates related to skin cancer. Task force members have been unable to make a recommendation regarding routine skin cancer screening for people who do not have any symptoms of such a cancer.