Prostate Cancer Screening
Although there is a screening test available for finding prostate cancer early, its ability to save lives is not yet well known.
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of getting screened for prostate cancer and if you should be screened.
The
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a screening test for prostate cancer. PSA is a protein that is produced in the prostate gland. The test measures the level of PSA in the blood. A blood sample is taken and then the level of PSA is measured in a lab. PSA can be used to detect disease. A low level of PSA is normal but prostate cancer or benign (not cancerous) conditions can raise the PSA level. The PSA level alone does not tell the doctor if cancer is there or not. The doctor will take the test result into account when deciding to look further to see if cancer is present.
The PSA test is often done with a
digital rectal exam (DRE). During a DRE, a doctor puts a gloved finger into the rectum. The finger feels the prostate gland through the rectal wall to feel for bumps or abnormal areas.
For general information on prostate cancer, click
here and visit the
National Cancer Institute and the
American Cancer Society.
Other Prostate Cancer Screening Resources:
Information on prostate cancer screening options were adapted from the
National Cancer Institute.
