Prostate cancer tests

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Early detection is the key to reducing your risk of advanced prostate cancer and for diagnosis of an early stage when there is a good chance for successful treatment. If you are at an increased risk, talk to you doctor about when you should begin screening. For men at average risk, these prostate cancer tests should be performed:

• Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) - during a DRE, a doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any irregular or abnormally firm area that may indicate malignancy. If any abnormality is detected during the DRE, a transrectal ultrasound will likely be recommended for a more detailed diagnosis.
• Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) - transrectal ultrasound uses sound waves released from a small probe placed in the rectum to create an image of the prostate on a screen. It is often used in conjunction with a biopsy to help guide a needle into the exact area of the prostate where a tissue sample will be taken for examination under a microscope.
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) - after the age of 50 an annual PSA blood examination is recommended. Men at high risk may need to begin screening at an earlier age. The PSA  prostate cancer test measures a protein that is produced by prostate cells. High PSA levels can be a feature of this condition. But benign conditions and infections raise the level of PSA as well.

In addition to standard PSA more detailed analysis is possible using free versus bound comparisons and PSA doubling time (More details on PSA) and transrectal ultrasound, the following may also be used to establish the extent of the disease:

• CT and/or MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging),
• A bone scan

Further general information Your doctors and specialist nurses are in an ideal position to give you relevant information on your disease and treatment as they know your individual circumstances. Cancerbackup has a help line (0808 800 1234) and a prize winning video available in English, Italian, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi explaining Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk has over 500 pages describing cancer, its management, practical tips and tool which patients, their carers and their doctors have found helpful during the cancer journey.