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• How is prostate cancer diagnosed

How is prostate cancer diagnosed

There is currently no specific genetic test for hereditary prostate cancer although scientists are working hard to find one.

When an individual presents to their GP or healthcare professional with symptoms such as those described above, their age, general health, and family history are all taken into account before further tests are undertaken. Two tests are commonly used for the initial investigation of prostate-type symptoms:

• A digital rectal examination (DRE), which is quick and simple to perform, and involves a doctor inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum (back passage) to feel if the prostate gland is enlarged.
• A PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test, which measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate and is usually elevated in prostate cancer. The PSA test is not a specific diagnostic test for prostate cancer as levels can be high in people who do not have the condition and may have other medical problems.
  
  Having a PSA test can be very reassuring if it is normal and, importantly, can help find some cancers at an early stage. Unfortunately, the PSA test does miss some prostate cancers and it can lead to unnecessary worry and further tests in people who are found not to have cancer.
  
  There is much discussion about the PSA test and whether it should be part of a routine screening programme. At the present time there is no NHS PSA testing programme. However any man is entitled to the test if they have had sufficient information on it and following consultation with their GP.

The government has published much useful advice on the advantages and disadvantages of having a PSA blood test. Two of these resources can be found here:

http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/prostate/

http://www.prosdex.com/index_content.htm

If these two tests show anything abnormal, you may be referred to a hospital specialist for further investigation. Prostate cancer can only be diagnosed definitely after a small sample of tissue from the prostate gland is removed by biopsy and examined under a microscope.