Prostate Exam: How is it Done and Who Should Have One?

Date: Nov-10-2016 Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men living in the United States, behind only lung cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 7 men will have a diagnosis of prostate cancer in their lifetime. While researchers continue to work out whether or not prostate cancer can be prevented, prostate exams are performed to reduce the high numbers of deaths from the disease.

There are two main tests commonly used to screen for prostate cancer. These are the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA).

Contents of this article:

What is the prostate exam?

Having a digital rectal examination

Having a PSA test

What is the prostate gland?

What is the prostate exam?

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.

Screening means looking for early signs of a disease in healthy people who do not have any symptoms. The aim of screening is to diagnose disease at an early stage as it is easier to treat and more likely to be cured.

Who should get a test done?

Men worldwide over the age of 50 are strongly advised to have at least an informed discussion with their healthcare provider about screening for prostate cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommend that the discussion about screening should take place for men in the following groups:

50 years of age - for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.

45 years of age - for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African-Americans and men who have a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger than age 65.

40 years of age - for men with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age.

Some groups do not recommend routine screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force changed their recommendations in 2012 to recommend that men are not screened for prostate cancer.

What tests are available?

There are two main tests most commonly used to screen for prostate cancer. These are the digital rectal exam and the prostate-specific antigen test.

Neither test can confirm prostate cancer. However, they can reveal strong signs that a patient has a prostate problem and requires further testing such as a prostate biopsy.

Men who want to be screened should be tested with the PSA blood test. If a patient gives their consent, the digital rectal exam is usually conducted as an early part of the screening.

In the digital rectal exam, a doctor or nurse inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum. They do this to check the size of the prostate and feel for abnormalities.

In the PSA test, a blood sample is taken so that the level of PSA in the blood can be measured. PSA is a protein made by the prostate.

Having a digital rectal examination

Any concerns about a DRE should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Before having a DRE, the patient should consider the following questions:

What will happen during the DRE?

How long will the procedure take?

Will it be painful?

How accurate is a DRE at finding cancer?

When will I learn the results of the DRE?

How will the results be given to me?

Who will explain the results to me?

What further tests will be necessary if the results suggest cancer?

Patients are also advised to:

Inform their healthcare team if they have hemorrhoids or anal fissures, as the DRE may make them worse

Find out from their insurance provider what costs will be covered and if there are any additional costs

In the U.S., patients are asked to sign a consent form before the test. This form states that they understand the benefits and risks of the DRE and agree to have the test.

During the digital rectal examination

A DRE is generally not painful and only takes a few minutes to complete.

To start the exam, the specialist will gently insert a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum. The specialist will determine the size of the prostate and feel for bumps, soft or hard spots, and other abnormalities.

Prostate cancers often begin in the back of the gland, which may be felt during a rectal exam. If the prostate is enlarged, the patient may feel discomfort or mild pain during the exam.

After the digital rectal examination

Most patients go back to their regular activities immediately after a DRE. There may be some bleeding from the rectum afterward, particularly if there are hemorrhoids or anal fissures.

If bleeding persists or is significant, the patient is advised to contact their healthcare provider.

If the doctor finds any areas of concern during the DRE, additional tests may be needed to examine them more closely.

Having a PSA test

Several factors can affect PSA levels in a blood test.

To guarantee an accurate test, a patient must not have:

A urine infection

Ejaculated for 48 hours before

Exercised heavily in the previous 48 hours

Had a prostate biopsy within the last 6 weeks

These factors may raise the PSA level. Sometimes, a high PSA level may simply be due to increased activity or tension. Intense exercise, work, or a period of travel can lead to a rise in PSA.

What is involved in the PSA test?

The PSA test is a blood test for prostate problems. It measures a protein called PSA that is made by the prostate gland. Some of this protein leaks into the blood and can be measured by doctors.

The higher the PSA level in the blood, the more likely it is that a prostate problem is present. However, many factors can affect PSA levels, such as age and ethnicity. Some prostate glands produce higher levels of PSA than others.

PSA levels also can be affected by:

Some medical procedures

Some types of medication

An enlarged prostate

Prostate infection

What happens after a PSA test?

A PSA test usually takes 14 days to complete.

If the PSA level is normal, the healthcare specialist may leave further tests to the choice of the patient. They may decide to test the patient every 1-2 years.

If the PSA level is high, the specialist is likely to refer the patient for more tests. These tests might include an examination of the prostate gland and possibly a prostate biopsy.

The specialist will consider a number of factors such as:

Age

Family history - especially any cases of prostate cancer

Ethnicity

Body weight

Previous medical history

What is the prostate gland?

Men have a small gland below the bladder that is about the size of a walnut. This is the prostate gland.

The prostate surrounds the first part of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. This tube is called the urethra and also carries semen. The prostate gland is divided into two lobes, to the left and the right of a central groove.

What is the function of the prostate?

The most important function of the prostate gland is to produce a fluid makes up semen together with sperm cells from the testicles.

The muscles of the prostate ensure that the semen is pressed into the urethra and expelled out during ejaculation.

Written by Zia Ali

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.