Prostate cancer usually grows very slowly and in its early stages often has no warning signs or symptoms. By the time a man has symptoms of prostate cancer, the tumor has usually been growing for a long time and the cancer is advanced.
Like many cancers, prostate cancer is treated most effectively when detected early. Two of the most important tests for the early detection of prostate cancer are the digital rectal examination (DRE) and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. During the DRE, a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the patient's rectum to feel for lumps, enlargements, or areas of hardness that might indicate prostate cancer. The PSA blood test is the most effective test currently available for the early detection of prostate cancer. PSA is an enzyme produced by the prostate gland. Normally, small amounts of PSA enter the bloodstream from the prostate. Larger amounts of PSA enter the blood when the prostate gland is enlarged, infected, or diseased. Recent studies indicate that the combination of DRE and PSA testing is more effective in the early detection of prostate cancer than either procedure is on its own.As part
of the annual checkup, the American
Cancer Society recommends a DRE and PSA blood test for:
More information:
The Prostate Cancer pages of this Web site are part of the Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Awareness Program (CPCAP), a major regional effort to reduce the rates of death and illness caused by prostate cancer in southwestern Pennsylvania. Funding for CPCAP is provided by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
