What Are The Screening Tests For Prostate Cancer?

Digital Rectal Examination - A digital rectal examination (DRE) is performed by a doctor during a regular office visit. For this examination, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate gland through the rectal wall to check for bumps or abnormal areas. Although this test has been used for many years, whether DRE is effective in decreasing the number of deaths from prostate cancer has not been determined.

Transrectal Ultrasonography - During this examination, high-frequency sound waves are sent out by a probe about the size of the index finger, which is inserted into the rectum. The waves bounce off the prostate gland and produce echoes that a computer uses to create a picture called a sonogram. Doctors examine the sonogram for echoes that might represent abnormal areas. Whether ultrasonography is effective in decreasing mortality from prostate cancer has not been determined.

PSA - For this test, a blood sample is drawn and the amount of prostate- specific antigen (PSA) present is determined in a laboratory. PSA is a marker that, if present in higher than average amounts, may indicate prostate cancer cells. However, PSA levels may also be higher in men who have noncancerous prostate conditions. Scientists are studying ways to improve the reliability of the PSA test.

Because unnecessary treatment due to false screening results could be harmful, research is being done to determine the most reliable method for prostate cancer screening. For example, scientists at the National Cancer Institute are studying the value of early detection by DRE and PSA on reducing the number of deaths caused by prostate cancer

Search This Site For Information You Want

More Articles

Kidney Cleansing For Good Health

... optimally in its function to filter out pollutants, drugs, chemicals and other harmful materials. When you do a kidney cleanse, you also help to eliminate urinary tract infections and dissolves kidney stones. What are some of the other functions of the kidneys? Other than being vital in the elimination ... 

Treatment Options For Kidney Stones Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

... additional recovery time of one to two weeks. The nephroscope is inserted through the back of the kidney. The urologist then inserts an ultrasonic probe or laser through the nephroscope to break up the stones and extract them. All stones and fragments are removed through the nephroscope during the procedure; ... 

Kidney Disease Due To Diabetes :

... young. This number does not even include those who currently have impaired glucose tolerance which is a milder precursor to Type 2 diabetes. There are also various rare secondary types of diabetes caused by an underlying condition such as hemochromatosis, PCOS, or other conditions or medications. Diabetes ... 

What Causes Kidney Disease?

... reason. Correct diagnosis of the cause of high blood pressure is important. Most cases of chronic hypertension are "primary hypertension" but a small percentage are "secondary hypertension" where the rise in blood pressure is caused by another underlying condition. Hypertension during pregnancy is another ... 

High Levels Of Uric Acid In The Blood Is Dangerous

... factor in such cases cannot be ruled out. As already said, vague aches/pains or backaches may be the result of high blood uric acid. In addition to the above, kidneys may also be involved due to constant elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. Since uric acid is excreted by the kidneys, and the excretion ... 

Dog Care Fundamentals

... healthier lifestyle and productive maintenance, given that they are affected with environmental and genetical factors. Smaller dogs have greater life expectancy than that of the bigger breeds, actually, a large breed is already considered senior if they have reached the age of five, on the other hand ... 

Getting Tough On E. Coli Can Help Prevent Kidney Failure

... particular strain of E. coli may lead to a condition known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which causes damage to the kidneys - particularly among children and the elderly. Common foods that contain harmful E. coli are beef, pork, lamb and poultry. However, as Montrealer Pascale Dupont discovered, ... 

Urine Trouble - Eliminating The Cause Of Prostate Enlargement, Kidney Stones And Bladder Infections

... and director of the Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease, located in Hawaii. His unique form of applied medical anthropology searches for the cultural/lifestyle causes of disease. His working assumption is that our bodies were made to be healthy, but our culture and the attitudes and behaviors ... 

Kidney Stones Symptoms

... stones will be seen pacing about or moving all around on the bed. You may feel sick to your stomach, and most people will vomit. You may be cool, clammy, and sweaty with a pale appearance to your skin. You may or may not notice any blood in your urine during these symptoms. Depending on the location of ... 

What Is Acute Renal Failure

... accompanied by metabolic disturbances, such as metabolic acidosis (acidification of the blood) and hyperkalaemia (elevated potassium levels), changes in body fluid balance, and effects on many other organ systems. It can be characterised by oliguria or anuria (decrease or cessation of urine production), ...