Prostate Screening

Prostate screening

Detecting prostate cancer earlier rather than later

There are two tests utilized to detect prostate cancer before symptoms have developed: the digital rectum exam (DRE) and a blood test often called PSA. The test is called PSA because it attempts to detect a substance produced by the prostate called prostate specific antigen. In the the DRE, a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to find any particularly hard or lumpy areas.

The PSA results are analyzed in a lab and reported back to your doctor. It is possible (and frequent) that men will show elevated PSA levels but do not have cancer. In addition, many men with prostate cancer can show relatively normal levels of PSA. The digital rectal exam (DRE) can also miss some cancers; both tests in combination are better in accurately detecting and assessing prostate cancer.

The only certain way to diagnose prostate cancer is through a biopsy, the removing of tissue samples (usually with a needle). Often, this procedure can be done in the doctor’s office under local anesthesia. The cells removed are then examined for cancer cells.

Are there other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to prostate cancer?

Yes, definitely. Often as men age, the prostate will grow larger. Sometimes this growth will block or interfere with both urine or sexual function—some of the same symptoms for prostate cancer. It is a fairly common condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or more commonly, BPH.

BPH is not prostate cancer, only an enlarged prostate. There are medications that can help treat BPH, and sometimes surgery is required to help relieve the symptoms.

This content of this post is a reprint from an article in www.healthandwellness.com

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 7:06 pm and is filed under Mens Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.