To screen or not to screen – the latest on prostate cancer w/ Dr. Stephen Pautler

On this episode of The DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie sits down with St. Joseph’s Health Care London urologist Dr. Stephen Pautler to discuss a topic that is difficult for most men to talk about - prostate cancer. An associate professor of surgery and oncology at Western University, lead for Southwest Regional Surgical Oncology at Cancer Care Ontario and a Canadian pioneer in surgical robotics, Dr. Pautler is an internationally-acclaimed and highly respected leader in prostate care. He has been watching the changing tide of screening opinions over many years and wants men to know that screening is important to their health and a straightforward process. Prostate screening happens in two steps starting with a PSA test. “PSA is a simple blood test that looks for levels of a protein in the blood,” explains Dr. Pautler. “PSA is made by the prostate, and high levels mean a higher risk cancer is present. But this test isn't perfect, as it can sometimes come back with inconclusive results or false positives.” The second part of the screening is a rectal exam. “In my experience, men tend to build up this little exam in their heads. We are simply looking for lumps and bumps, which is a key indicator and an important thing to check. I’ve been in this field a long time, and the hype men give this is way worse than the exam. Men really need to move past the perceived awkwardness – because it’s important.”  Want to learn more? Listen for free to the DocTalks Podcast episode with Dr. Pautler. For more information visit www.sjhc.london.on.ca/podcast or follow us on Twitter @stjosephslondon. Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break