What is it?

HOW IS PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING DONE?

Prostate cancer screening involves two tests:

• A physical test called a digital rectal exam (DRE)
• A blood test that measures prostate specific antigen (PSA).

Digital rectal examination -
The DRE is a simple test that the doctor performs in the office. He or she inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for any growths or lumps on the bottom and side of the prostate. However, because doctors are unable to reach all areas of the prostate, some tumors can go undetected using this screening method alone. There also are certain types of cancers that are impossible to detect by touch no matter where they are located on the prostate. On the other hand, DRE is able to detect some cancers that are missed by other screening tests such as the PSA.

Prostate specific antigen -
PSA is a protein produced by the prostate. The serum PSA test measures the amount of PSA in a sample of blood. An elevated PSA (greater than 4.0 ng/mL in most laboratories) often indicates a problem, but does not necessarily mean there is a malignancy. There are many benign conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), that can cause an elevated PSA. Other benign causes include prostate infection (prostatitis) and trauma. The latter may be caused by vigorous bicycle riding or sexual activity; thus, the PSA should not be measured for 48 hours after either of these activities.