How to Diagnose Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world. Everyone, therefore, should be informed about it. The following steps will guide you in diagnosing this disease.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knowledge
• Primary care physician
• Urologist for biopsy
• Labs

1. Know the risk factors for prostate cancer. These include family history of prostate cancer in a first degree relative, older age, African American race and a diet rich in animal fat.

2. Perform the following prostate cancer screening in all men:
   
   A rectal exam performed by a health care provider to feel for any lumps or irregularities in the prostate gland.
   
   A blood test that measures prostate specific antigen (PSA). PSA is a protein produced by the prostate. Although many men with prostate cancer have an elevated PSA concentration (above 4.0 ng/mL), an elevated level does not always mean a cancer is present.

3. Perform a trans rectal ultrasound if above tests are positive. It can be done in an office.

4. If all of the above tests are positive, do a prostate biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Resources

• askmedpal

[knelson]

on 7/30/2009 So important for men to know, thanks for putting this info out there.