Prostate Cancer Tests and Diagnosis

There are different ways of testing and screening patients for prostate cancer disease. Physicians have found that the most effective method of detecting prostate cancer is to use both of the following tests:

• Digital rectal examination (DRE): A DRE exam allows a doctor to determine if a prostate is enlarged or has other irregularities or if prostate cancer has returned after treatment. If there is an abnormality, the test can give the doctor an idea of how extensive it is and help determine the course of a potential biopsy. After it is determined that a man has prostate cancer, this test is helpful in determining if the metastasis has gone beyond the prostate grand.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test: Prostate-specific antigen is detected in the bloodstream through a simple blood test. Abnormal levels of prostate-specific antigen may mean prostate cancer. The normal range for PSA levels is 0.0 to 4.0. A mild to moderate increase in PSA does not necessarily mean prostate cancer is present. More often no cancer is detected, but it does suggest an increased likelihood for the disease. However, very high PSA levels are strongly indications of prostate cancer.
• Biopsy of the prostrate: If the early detection tests have raised the possibility of prostate cancer, then your doctor will want to use other tests to confirm. A biopsy, which involves removing a sample tissue, is the most reliable method for diagnosing or ruling out prostate cancer.