What does prostate cancer screening consist of?
Screening consists of a rectal exam (DRE, or digital rectal exam) and a blood test (PSA, or prostate specific antigen). To perform a DRE, the doctor places his/her gloved finger into the patient’s rectum to feel the prostate gland and examine its size, consistency, and shape. Most men say the exam is not painful. The PSA test is done to determine the level of a certain protein made by the prostate. That level increases significantly when a tumor is present, but can also be increased by infection and benign (noncancerous) prostate enlargement. In a PSA test, blood is drawn from a vein in the patient’s arm. Usually, these tests are done at the time of a regular checkup. If results of either test are not normal, the doctor will suggest more tests.
