How To

How to Detect Prostate Cancer

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(6 Ratings)

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer afflicting men in the United States. Early detection can lead to improved outcomes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Watch for signs of prostate cancer, which include: hesitancy, or difficulty initiating urination; frequent urination; loss of force of stream during urination; or getting up frequently at night to urinate.

  2. Step 2

    Schedule annual digital rectal exams (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests if you are male and over the age of 50. A DRE will detect any possible lumps on the prostate gland. The PSA blood test improves chances of early detection.

  3. Step 3

    Contact your health care provider if you have any of the above symptoms and for routine prostate cancer screening.

Tips & Warnings
  • Men who are African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer should begin prostate cancer screening at age 40.
  • Prostate cancer produces no symptoms in the early stages.
  • A normal prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test result does not exclude the possibility of prostate cancer if there is a palpable lump on the prostate gland.

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