Prostate Cancer Screening
Screening
Treated in its earliest stages, prostate cancer can be cured. Early detection through regular screening is essential. The entire screening takes less than 5 minutes. It consists of a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE).
PSA is a substance made by the normal prostate gland. Elevated or rising PSA levels may be a signal that there is something wrong with the prostate. Cancer is not the only cause for elevated PSA levels. Infection, recent sexual activity, and benign prostate hyperplasia can all affect the PSA level. Your physician will evaluate and track your level of PSA and the rate at which the level changes over time. A “normal” but quickly rising PSA level may suggest a need for further study.
The DRE is a physical exam that checks for abnormalities on the surface of the prostate. Prostate cancer may appear as a “nodule” or an unusually firm texture of the gland. Sometimes prostate cancer is apparent only upon rectal exam, even when the PSA test is normal. This is no time for men to be squeamish! Both PSA and DRE are recommended for adequate cancer screening.
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