Prostate exams are extremely important, and every man must get their prostate tested at least once a year to reduce the possibility of getting diagnosed with prostate cancer. We have listed the 5 things men should know about a prostate exam.
- Once you enter your 50s, screening is necessary
All men experience an increase in the size of their prostate gland. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean he is going to get prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer only happens when the growth of the size of your prostate gland becomes out of control.
Many things like lifestyle and diet can affect the increase of a man’s prostate gland and the older you get it is definitive that the size has increased significantly.
The average man should begin to discuss with his doctor the possibility of getting a prostate screening once he turns 50.
However, if you have a family history, or you do know that you are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, you are advised to start at the age of 45.
Family history and genetics may have an impact on the progression (or the possibility of the development) of prostate cancer.
- Yeah, a finger goes in from behind
A rectal exam is called DRE or digital rectal exam. Yeah, the name says ‘digital’ but a gloved finger will actually go in there.
Your doctor will need to feel your rectum and pelvic area to determine if your prostate gland has grown in size. This procedure is totally safe and hygienic and will only take a few minutes.
This is a well know method of examining your prostate. The objective is to identify and size if there are any lumps and bumps growing on the back of your glands or rectum.
During the examination, you may feel just slight discomfort, or you may also feel like you want to urinate—especially if your prostate gland has indeed grown in size and become inflamed.
Per Cleveland Clinic publication, if you have issues such as hemorrhoids, anal fissure and other inflammation around your backside, it’s better to inform your urologist. This way, they take more care during the examination procedure.
This is all normal and the discomfort will go away within minutes so you should just endure it for the time being.
After that, your doctor will tell you if your prostate gland is still normal or has changed in shape. If you’re healthy, this procedure will only need to be done once you’re 50, though.
- Finding prostate cancer earlier could slow down progression
In the USA, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer experienced by men. Quite a significant number will die from this disastrous disease if the cancer was caught on late.
Prostate cancer tends to kill, but the progression can be significantly slowed down if caught early on—before the cancerous cells spread out of control.
That’s why, although some aspects of getting a prostate exam may scare you, understand that it is important for the extension of your life (should you be found to have developed said cancer, that is).
When you make a doctor’s visit and get your examination, try to discuss other risk factors as well as whether or not you are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
Your doctor may talk about your family history and point out several things about your lifestyle, diet, and even working habits.
- PSA could lead to false alarms
Aside from doing DRE or digital rectal exam, your doctor could also check the status of your prostate health by doing a blood test. A blood test will try to determine your PSA levels.
PSA is a type of protein called prostate-specific antigen. PSA can typically mix with your blood and it is by this that the examination is done.
There are things that can affect the levels of PSA in your bloodstream, such as inflammation in the prostate (also infection), enlargement of the prostate, as well as cancerous cells affecting the prostate.
Be that as it may, PSA testing through blood could lead to false alarms! So, when that happens, of course, you would be so worried.
On top of that, there may be subsequent tests or re-examinations you need to take to determine clearly if you have cancer. This could prove to be rather costly.
- Things to ask your doctor before a PSA testing
If you are planning to get PSA testing, there are actually many factors that could lead to false alarms, so this is something you want to discuss with your doctor before the testing even begins.
According to Cancer.Net website publication, PSA involves many things and it would be fine if you understand these factors so that you aren’t surprised during the test.
For instance, the kinds of medication you take could affect PSA levels. Whether or not you’ve ejaculated recently could also affect PSA levels.
This could even indicate that you may need to abstain from sex on days leading to an exam. So, it is best to ask your doctor about certain procedures or protocols you need to abide by before the exam.
You would also want to know about the different types of screening methods available and how they impact your body. Besides, you would need to know whether to alter your diet and lifestyle to make this examination easier.
Your doctor will give you the best advice on that. Also, since PSA testing is a blood test done in a laboratory, you won’t get your results on the same day.
Usually, you will have to wait several days to a week and you will be notified when your results are ready.
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- You must be prepared
Your prostate is located below the bladder, but to access it, your fingers must pass through the rectum. So, you should expect this during a prostate probe.
Here a doctor would insert a finger to locate and feel the condition of your prostate. Typically, it doesn’t take but causes some discomfort.
Still, you may have other peculiarities that could turn this simple touch into agony. You should tell your doctor about them.
These include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and anal tears. These tears around the moist anal tissues could be painful to touch.
Besides, if the swollen veins around your inner and out rectum are triggered by touch, they may be painful and could bleed.
This way, your doctor would know how to access your prostate in a more delicate approach.
But your doctor would also advise that you abstain from sex for two days before this exam. Usually, ejaculation elevates the PSA levels which may thus give wrong readings.
- PSA or TU
Prostate-specific antigen test is used to measure the concentration of this protein that is only produced by the prostate. The reading may help guide further assessment to confirm if you have prostate cancer.
Usually, it’s a normal blood collection for lab analysis. A medical technician uses a needle to draw blood from your vein.
This sample is then taken to the lab for verification. The results tell whether your PSA level is normal or not. A reading under 4ng per ml of blood is considered normal.
A reading of 4ng/ml to 10ng/ml is termed intermediate while a reading above 10ng/ml is considered high.
These parameters indicate your odds of having prostate cancer. Still, further tests are needed to establish the correct position. Here, transrectal ultrasound (TU) is applied.
An article on the John Hopkins Medicine website compares screening options available for your prostate. The article titled “Prostate Cancer: Advancements in Screening,” compares PSA to TU.
While PSA has been used for long, newer more accurate screening methods exist. TU and prostate health index PHI both uses visual and lab test respectively, to establish prevalence of prostate cancer.
This process entails sending a probe into your rectum. It gives an image of the organ on a screen. Still, the medic also scraps tissues for biopsy to confirm the exact condition.
In conclusion, we provided details regarding five things men should know about a prostate exam. We hope that these five things can help you learn more about prostate exams and that you can get prepared the next time.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Do Men Need To Know About Prostate?
Introduction
The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system that is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is a walnut-sized gland that produces seminal fluid, which is part of semen and helps to nourish and transport sperm. Prostate health is an important topic for men, as any issues with the prostate can lead to a variety of negative symptoms and even long-term health complications. Therefore, it is important for men to know the basics about the prostate and what they can do to keep it healthy.
Anatomy and Function
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that is about the size of a walnut. It is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate is composed of two lobes, a right and a left, which are surrounded by muscular tissue. The prostate is responsible for producing seminal fluid, which is part of semen and helps to nourish and transport sperm.
Common Issues
The most common issue with the prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlargement of the prostate. BPH is very common in older men and can cause symptoms such as difficulty urinating, a frequent need to urinate, and a weak urine stream. Another common issue is prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the prostate. Prostatitis can cause a range of symptoms, including pain in the pelvic area, difficulty urinating, and a frequent need to urinate.
Risk Factors
The most common risk factor for prostate issues is age. As men get older, their risk of developing issues with the prostate increases. Other risk factors for prostate issues include family history, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prostate issues are usually diagnosed through a physical exam, urine test, and blood test. Depending on the severity of the issue, treatment may involve medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
Prevention
There are some things that men can do to help prevent prostate issues. These include exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding processed foods. Men should also avoid smoking and excessive amounts of alcohol, as these have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Conclusion
Prostate health is an important issue for men, as any issues with the prostate can lead to a variety of negative symptoms and even long-term health complications. It is important for men to know the basics about the prostate and what they can do to keep it healthy. This includes exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding processed foods, and avoiding smoking and excessive amounts of alcohol. Men should also be aware of the risk factors for prostate issues and get regular check-ups to ensure their prostate is functioning properly.
