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Preventive Services

	Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA)

Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing the amount of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) in your blood. Another way prostate cancer is found early is when your doctor performs a rectal exam. Medicare covers both of these tests so that prostate cancer can be detected and treated early.

How often is it covered?

Digital Rectal Examination - Once every 12 months
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test - Once every 12 months

For whom?

All men with Medicare age 50 and older (coverage for this test begins the day after your 50th birthday)

Your costs in the Original Medicare Plan?

Generally, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the digital rectal exam after the yearly Part B deductible. There is no coinsurance and no Part B deductible for the PSA Test.

What factors increase risk for prostate cancer?

While all men are at risk for prostate cancer, your risk increases...

If you have a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer, especially if your relatives were young when they got the disease
If you are African American because prostate cancer is more common in this group for unknown reasons
As you get older-about 2 out of every 3 prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65

You may also be at risk for prostate cancer if you eat a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products.

To learn more about prostate cancer, click on the following links:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=36

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate

Page Last Updated: August 29, 2008