Symptoms
Not all men show signs of prostate cancer, but for those that do, symptoms play a key role in early detection. Signs of prostate cancer include an increasing need to urinate, frequent urination at night, a burning or urgency in urinating, urine that is weak or interrupted, blood in the urine, and difficulty urinating. In addition, pain and discomfort in the back, hips or pelvis can indicate prostate cancer, as can the sensation that your bladder is not empty after urinating. These symptoms do not automatically indicate cancer, as there are many other medical reasons that can be behind them. The best course of action when experiencing these symptoms is to immediately see a doctor, so that he can make an accurate diagnosis.
Digital Rectal Examination
During a digital rectal examination, your doctor will insert a lubricated and gloved finger into your anus. He then will feel around to search for any type of irregularity or any unusually firm areas around your prostate. This method can detect most prostate cancers.
Prostate-Specific Antigen Test
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein found in men's blood; prostate cells produce the protein. Men with prostate cancer have higher levels of PSA in their blood than healthy men. Although the average standard for acceptable levels of PSA in the blood is 4 ng/mL, the acceptable levels of protein vary with age, particularly for younger men.
PSA-Related Tests
There are multiple other health factors that can cause a high PSA, and for that reason, doctors using a PSA Test use two additional tests to detect prostate cancer in individuals with a high PSA level. Percent free-PSA or PSA II is a test that detects how much PSA protein exists in your blood without being bound to another protein. Very low levels of free-PSA indicate prostate cancer, while very high tend to indicate an enlarge prostate. Your doctor also may choose to monitor your PSA velocity, or how quickly your PSA levels rise over a period of time. Typically this involves three tests over 18 months. PSA velocity levels of 0.75 ng/mL per year are consistent with prostate cancer.
Tags: prostate cancer, acceptable levels, indicate prostate, indicate prostate cancer, prostate cancer, Prostate-Specific Antigen