Like many men, I was busy living my life and running my businesses. Prostate cancer was not something I wanted to think about. But cancer does not wait until life becomes less busy or until we feel ready to deal with it.

Prostate cancer can be especially deceptive because it may cause no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. A man can feel perfectly healthy while the disease is developing. That is exactly why screening discussions matter.

What Is a PSA Test?

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate. A PSA test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of PSA in the bloodstream.

An elevated or rising PSA level does not automatically mean that a man has cancer. PSA can also increase because of an enlarged prostate, inflammation, infection, certain medical procedures and other factors. At the same time, a PSA result within a commonly used range cannot completely rule out cancer.

The test is therefore a starting point—not a diagnosis. If a PSA result or its pattern over time raises concern, a doctor may recommend repeating the test, performing an examination, obtaining a prostate MRI, using additional blood or urine tests, consulting a urologist or considering a biopsy.

When Should Men Discuss Prostate Cancer Screening?

Screening recommendations vary somewhat among medical organizations. The important message is to discuss your individual risk, the potential benefits of screening and its possible drawbacks with a qualified healthcare professional.

A “strong family history” can include a father or brother who developed prostate cancer at a young age, multiple close relatives with the disease, relatives who died from prostate cancer, or a family history involving certain related cancers and inherited genetic mutations.

Screening decisions later in life should also be individualized. Overall health, prior PSA results, life expectancy, personal preferences and the likelihood of benefiting from treatment all matter more than age alone.

Why Isn’t Screening Automatic for Everyone?

Not every prostate cancer behaves the same way. Some are aggressive and require treatment. Others grow so slowly that they may never threaten a man’s health.

Screening can sometimes lead to false alarms, additional tests, biopsies or the discovery of a slow-growing cancer that might never have caused harm. Treatment can also produce significant side effects, including urinary, sexual and bowel problems.

Those are real concerns, and men deserve to understand them. But they are reasons for an informed conversation—not reasons to ignore prostate health completely. A PSA test provides information. You and your doctors then use that information, along with your history and any follow-up testing, to decide what should happen next.

Pay Attention to Changes—but Don’t Wait for Them

Possible symptoms of prostate disease can include:

• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
• A weak or interrupted urine stream
• Needing to urinate more often, particularly at night
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in the hips, back or chest
• Unexplained weakness or numbness in the legs

These symptoms can have many causes other than cancer, but they should be discussed with a medical professional. More importantly, early prostate cancer may not produce any symptoms at all. Feeling fine is not the same as knowing that everything is fine.

The Conversation Many Men Avoid

Men are often very good at postponing medical appointments. We tell ourselves we are too busy. We assume that if something were wrong, we would feel it. Sometimes we simply do not want to hear bad news.

I understand that instinct. But learning about a problem early does not create the problem. It creates choices.

In my case, regular PSA testing helped uncover an aggressive cancer early. I am sharing something personal because another man—or someone who loves him—may read this and decide to schedule an overdue appointment.

September may be Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, but awareness matters only when it leads to action. I am grateful that I had my PSA checked regularly. I hope my experience encourages other men to take their health just as seriously.

—Jim Armstrong

This article is based on personal experience and is provided for general educational purposes. It is not medical advice and should not replace a discussion with your physician or another qualified healthcare professional.