WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Doctors are stressing the importance of annual physicals for men, especially for prostate cancer screening. Screening exams vary depending on age, family history and other factors.
NBA All-Star and Miami Heat executive Alonzo Mourning recently spoke about his prostate cancer scare. Mourning was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer and had his prostate removed in March. He is now cancer-free.
The doctors we spoke to said that in Morning’s case, it has become a little easier to have conversations with men about the need for regular checkups.
I spoke with Dr. Justin Muscovich, a urologist at HCA Florida Saint Lucie Hospital.
“In general, there’s no real agreement on what age people should start testing. My view is that all men over 50 should be tested annually,” Maskovich says. “Some younger men absolutely need testing. Men who have a family history, brothers, fathers should probably start testing around age 45.”
Here are some action items and tips:
- Schedule an annual prostate exam
- Schedule other annual exams, such as dermatology and colonoscopy, based on your risk factors and doctor’s recommendations.
- Use their birthday as a reminder to schedule their annual checkup appointment for the following year.
- Men over 50 should undergo regular medical checkups, including prostate cancer screening.
- Young men with a family history may need earlier testing
