Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – With the news of former President Biden being diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are a lot of people who may be thinking more about it lately.

Tia Rapps with Springfield Memorial Hospital tells the WTAX Morning Newswatch it’s not always a topic men want to address, but they should, especially if they’re of a certain age.

“Who should be getting screened?  (American Cancer Society) says men of average risk — and I emphasize average risk — of age 50 up to age 69.  That’s the average risk gentlemen that need to be talking to their doctors about getting (Prostate-Specific Antigen) and digital rectal exams for prostate cancer screenings.”

Rapps says if there is a family history of prostate cancer, men should start getting screened at age 40.  After age 69, Rapps says it’s still recommended to talk to your provider, including about the risks and benefits of testing and diagnosis.

But, regardless of when and how often men get screened for prostate cancer, Rapps says what may seem like a positive prostate cancer test may not be.

“The PSA is a protein that’s found on prostate cancer cells.  It is the best blood test tool that we have right now,” said Rapps.  “But, it could be elevated for other reasons.  So, I always let our men know that even if they have a PSA and it comes back elevated, it requires a little bit more testing.”

A biopsy must still be done after the initial PSA if there’s a potential for prostate cancer, says Rapps.

Prostate cancer, she said, is still the number two leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, behind lung cancer.