|
return to main page
SCREENING
Your doctor can check you for prostate cancer before
you have any symptoms. Screening can help doctors find and treat
cancer early. But studies so far have not shown that screening tests
reduce the number of deaths from prostate cancer. You may want to talk
with your doctor about the possible benefits and harms of being
screened. The decision to be screened, like many other medical
decisions, is a personal one. You should decide after learning the
pros and cons of screening.
Your doctor can explain more about these tests:
a Digital rectal exam: The doctor inserts a lubricated,gloved finger
into the rectum and feels the prostate through the rectal wall.
The prostate is checked for hard or lumpy areas.
a Blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA): A lab checks the
level of PSA in a man's blood sample. Ahigh PSA level is commonly
caused by BPH or prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). Prostate
cancer may also cause a high PSA level.
The digital rectal exam and
PSA test can detect a problem in the prostate. They cannot show
whether the problem is cancer or a less serious condition. Your doctor
will use the results of these tests to help decide whether to check
further for signs of cancer. Information about other tests is in the
"Diagnosis" section on page 10.
|
