The controversy of prostate screening.

Within the context of aging and ageism, this article evaluates current research on the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening. Prostate cancer is a concern for many men because it often strikes in the prime of life. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American men and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality after lung cancer. Although the disease can be cured if discovered early, it is a slow-growing malignancy that leads to an agonizing death if left untreated. Differential diagnosis often is complicated by comorbid conditions that are part of the normal aging process. Moreover, practitioners' judgment often is prejudiced by common aging misconceptions. Despite the benefits of early screening and detection, the benefits of screening initiatives remain controversial.