Prostate Cancer Screening

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• Summary
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• Related Issues
• Specifics
• Genetics

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Summary

The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder that produces fluid for semen. Cancer screening is looking for cancer before you have any symptoms. Cancer found early may be easier to treat.

There is no standard screening test for prostate cancer. Researchers are studying different tests to find those with the fewest risks and most benefits. One test is the digital rectal exam (DRE). The doctor or nurse inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel the prostate for lumps or anything unusual. Another test is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Your PSA level may be high if you have prostate cancer. It can also be high if you have an enlarged prostate (BPH) or other prostate problems. If your screening results are abnormal, your doctor may do more tests, such as an ultrasound, MRI, or a biopsy.

Prostate cancer screening has risks:

• Finding prostate cancer may not improve your health or help you live longer
• The results can sometimes be wrong
• Follow-up tests, such as a biopsy, may have complications

You and your doctor should discuss your risk for prostate cancer, the pros and cons of the screening tests, and whether you should get them.

Start Here

• American Cancer Society Recommendations for Prostate Cancer Early Detection (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
• Prostate Cancer Screening (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• BRCA Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Early? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
• Risks of Prostate Cancer Screening (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• Screening for Prostate Cancer (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) - PDF
• Should I Get Screened for Prostate Cancer? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Also in Spanish
• Prostate Biopsy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Prostate Cancer Screening: Should You Get a PSA Test? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
• PSA Test: What's It for? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• What Tests Can Detect Prostate Cancer? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish

Genetics

• Genetics Home Reference: prostate cancer (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Digital Rectal Examination (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Prostate-Specific Antigen (National Institutes of Health)

Reference Desk

• About the Prostate (Prostate Cancer Foundation)
• Dictionary of Cancer Terms (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society
• Find a Cancer Doctor (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• Find a Urologist (Urology Care Foundation)
• National Cancer Institute Also in Spanish
• Prostate Cancer Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Digital rectal exam (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Prostate biopsy (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Prostate cancer screenings (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• PSA (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish