Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

The Importance of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Do you realize that prostate cancer is the second largest of all cancer related deaths in males? The only form of cancer that causes more deaths each year is lung cancer.

To stand a chance of controlling prostate cancer it is very important to have an early prostate cancer diagnosis. The first critical step is to talk to your doctor about any problems or symptoms you may be experiencing. In this way the medical profession have a better chance of containing the condition and preventing the cancerous cells spreading to other parts of the body while also working to eradicate the illness altogether.

The prostate is a small walnut sized gland that produces part of the liquid in semen. It has two or more sections and is enclosed in an outer layer. It is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Urethra, which is canal that urine passes through from the bladder, is surrounded by the prostate gland. The most common type of prostate problem found in men under the age of 50 is inflammation or an infection called Prostatitis.

Enlargement of the prostate is another problem because the prostate gland continues to grow as males age and mature. Prostate enlargement or BPH is the most common problem for men over 50 years of age. If a man is over 50, he is more at risk of developing prostate cancer. The good news is that prostate cancer is less common then an enlarged prostate.

The most common symptoms are a weak urine stream, starting and stopping, and an increasing need to get up in the night to urinate or have difficulty gaining and maintaining a full erection.

When talking to your doctor he will ask you some screening questions. The answers to these questions will help your doctor decide what diagnostic test is appropriate.

Possible screening questions needed for an accurate prostate cancer diagnosis:

Do you have any pain during urination or after ejaculation?

Has your urinary stream been weak?

Have you had the feeling of not being able to empty your bladder in the last month?

Have you had to strain to urinate during the last month?

Do you need to urinate again in less than two hours?

Over the past month, how many times a night you need to urinate?

How much fluid you take in during the day?

Do you use alcohol, drink a large amount of caffeine and if your urine has an unusual color or strong odor?

It is very likely that you will be asked about any previous illnesses or surgery.

Your doctor needs to perform tests to establish if the problem is prostate cancer or another medical condition.

These tests are routinely done if you are over 40 and have a family history of prostate problems, or given yearly after the age of 50. These tests can be carried out in a number of ways but most of the time it will be a DRE [digital rectal examination] followed by a PSA test [prostate-specific antigen]. If either of these tests indicate you have a problem with your prostate more tests may be ordered by your doctor.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis - digital rectal examination (DRE)

The DRE is normally the first test done. The prostate is located at the point where the urethra leaves the bladder, and it also sits against the outer wall of the rectum about 5 centimeters inside the anus.

You will be asked to bend over the examining table or lie on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest as the doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate the inner wall of the rectum, by doing this they can actually feel the rear of the prostate located on the other side. Although it is only the rear of the prostate that can be checked it has been reported that 85% of all prostate cancers originate from this part of the prostate.

It is slightly uncomfortable but takes only a brief time. If the doctor feels an abnormality he will then order a PSA test. After the diagnosis, you and your doctor will discuss the treatment that is best for you and your prostate problem.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis – prostate specific antigen (PSA)

The prostate specific antigen test is a simple blood test, which is taken and tested for levels of the prostate specific antigen enzyme. By finding out the levels of PSA the doctors can assess the risk of cancer is. Below is a list of PSA levels and risks associated with prostate cancer:

PSA levels of 4 nanograms or less per milliliter is healthy

PSA levels above 4 nanograms per milliliter is a risk of prostate cancer

PSA levels above 10 nanograms per milliliter extremely high risk of prostate cancer

However, these PSA levels do not the whole picture. As a man grows older the levels of prostate specific antigens increase naturally. Also a large proportion of men with high PSA levels do not have prostate cancer and conversely a proportion of men with prostate cancer have low PSA levels. Therefore, it requires experience to determine what the test results actually indicate.