Many men in our country are a little hesitant to talk about their health. Especially, when talking about a prostate gland test , they may feel a little afraid or embarrassed. But this is actually a very important topic that we should definitely be aware of. Because prostate cancer is a disease that can be completely cured if detected early. So today we will talk about this.
What is a prostate exam?
Simply put, a prostate exam is a test that looks for early signs of prostate cancer. It can't tell you 100% for sure that you have cancer. However, if there are any abnormalities in the test results, your doctor can decide what to do next. It may even be necessary to take a small piece of tissue from the prostate ( a biopsy ).
There are two main parts to this test.
1. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): In this, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into your rectum and feels for any abnormalities, lumps, or other changes in the prostate gland.
2. PSA blood test (Prostate-Specific Antigen – PSA blood test): This is a common blood test. It measures the level of a protein called PSA in your blood. If this level is much higher than normal, it may be a sign of cancer.
Look at this table for easy understanding.
| Type of test | How it is done and what is checked |
|---|---|
| Digital rectal examination (DRE) | The doctor inserts a finger through the rectum and feels the prostate gland. The doctor checks the size, shape, and thickness of the gland, as well as any lumps or abnormalities. |
| PSA blood test | A blood sample is taken from a vein and the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level is measured in the laboratory. A high PSA level may be a reason to refer for further testing. |
Who should take this test?
In fact, there is no consensus among various medical institutions around the world about a specific age at which these tests should begin or whether DRE testing is mandatory for everyone.
But the most important thing is to thoroughly discuss the pros, cons, and limitations of this test with your doctor before deciding whether or not to have it, and if so, when to start.
Generally, it is recommended that men who are not at particular risk start talking to their doctor about this after the age of 50 .
However, some people have a slightly higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
- If a close family member (father, brother) has had prostate cancer , especially if they developed it at a young age.
If you belong to this high-risk group, your doctor may advise you to consider screening around age 40 or 45.
Do you need to prepare before the test?
This doesn't require much preparation. However, it's important to tell your doctor in advance if you have any health conditions that might make the test uncomfortable. For example:
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Recent anal tears
If you have any of these conditions, don't be shy about telling your doctor. Also, your doctor may advise you to avoid sexual intercourse for 48 hours before the blood test , as PSA levels may temporarily increase after ejaculation.
What happens during the test?
Let's see how this happens in two parts.
Digital rectal examination (DRE)
This isn't as scary as you might think. After you're taken to a private examination room, you'll be stripped down to the waist and given a sheet to cover your body. The doctor will then tell you to lie down on an examination table and lean forward, or turn to the side of the bed and lie down with your knees pulled up to your chest.
Then, the doctor, wearing a lubricated glove, will carefully insert a finger into your rectum and palpate your prostate. The entire examination will take a few minutes. You may feel some discomfort, but it will not cause any severe pain or damage to the gland.
PSA blood test
This is very simple. A small amount of blood is taken from a vein in your arm and sent to a lab. While this cannot directly tell you whether you have cancer, if your PSA level is very high, it can help you decide what to do next. This means that you may need further tests, such as a biopsy or an MRI scan .
What happens after the test?
You can get the results of the DRE test right away. The PSA blood test report takes a day or two to come back. After the test, you can go about your normal activities without any problems.
Very rarely, a few small drops of blood may pass through the anus. This is especially likely if you have a condition like hemorrhoids. However , if you feel like you are bleeding heavily, let your doctor know right away.
Once the test reports are in, the doctor will discuss them with you. If any suspicious lumps or changes are detected, they may refer you for further testing.
Take-Home Message
- A prostate exam is a simple test that can help detect prostate cancer early. Don't be afraid or embarrassed about it.
- This mainly involves two parts: a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a PSA blood test.
- It's usually important to talk to your doctor about this after age 50. If someone in your family has had the disease, talk about it even earlier.
- Just because there was an abnormality on a test report doesn't mean you have cancer. It just means that further testing may be needed.
- Men, it is very important to take care of your health. So, don't skip these tests. Talk openly with your doctor and get the necessary advice.
prostate, prostate cancer, PSA test, DRE, men's health , cancer screening, prostate exam
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