PSA tests and other tests to diagnose prostate cancer

Generally, prostate cancer does not cause any symptoms, especially at an early stage. However, if you feel certain symptoms of prostate cancer, you should immediately go to the hospital to get an examination and diagnosis from a doctor. One type of examination or screening (screening) which is commonly done for prostate cancer is the PSA test. What is the PSA test and what other types of tests are commonly done to detect prostate cancer?

Various types of tests or examinations to diagnose prostate cancer

When you have certain symptoms associated with prostate cancer, your doctor will generally ask about your medical history. This history includes how long you have had these symptoms and risk factors that may cause them, such as a family history of illness.

After that, the doctor may perform a series of tests or examinations. However, the type of test you will undergo depends on the type of cancer you suspect, the signs and symptoms you are experiencing, your age and overall health condition, and the results of previous medical tests. Talk to your doctor about the right type of examination.

Here are the various types of tests or examinations that doctors generally do to diagnose prostate cancer:

1. Digital rectal exam(DRE)

Digital rectal exam (DRE) or digital rectal examination is the first examination that is generally performed by doctors. In this examination, the doctor will use gloves that are lubricated.

Then, the lubricated finger will go into the rectum to feel for a lump or abnormal area on the prostate that may be cancer. If the doctor feels any abnormal areas, further tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

In addition to knowing the presence of a lump or abnormal area, this test also helps the doctor determine whether the lump is only on one side of the prostate or both. Doctors can also find out whether the tumor has spread to the surrounding tissue.

2. PSA test

The PSA test is a blood test that is often used to screen for prostate cancer, both in men who have experienced symptoms and those who have not been used as an early detection method for this disease.

This test measures quantities Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in your blood. After your blood is drawn, the blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.

PSA itself is a protein specifically produced by the prostate gland. This protein is generally found in semen, but PSA is also in the blood in small amounts.

Higher PSA levels are often associated with risk factors for prostate cancer. However, most men with high PSA levels may not have prostate cancer, but because of other factors, such as an enlarged prostate gland (BPH).

Reporting from the American Cancer Society, many doctors use a PSA limit of 4 ng / mL or higher to decide whether a man needs further screening tests to detect prostate cancer. However, some other doctors recommend further tests even if the PSA level is only 2.5 or 3 ng / mL.

However, apart from looking at the numbers, the doctor may use other means of interpreting the PSA test results, before recommending a biopsy procedure. Other methods include PSA speed, PSA density, or percentage of free and bound PSA.

If you undergo this test, consult your doctor to find out whether your PSA test results require further examination or not.

3. Prostate biopsy

If your DRE and PSA tests show abnormal results, your doctor may recommend doing a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

A biopsy is a procedure that takes a small sample of the prostate gland to be viewed and analyzed in a laboratory. In a prostate biopsy, generally the method used is core needle biopsy or core needle biopsy. Doctors are usually assisted by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), MRI, or both, during the process.

If your biopsy test is positive for cancer, your doctor will determine the stage of your prostate cancer based on the results of the test. This staging generally uses your Gleason score as well as your PSA level.

4. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)

A transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) examination is performed by inserting a special, finger-wide instrument that has been given a lubricant into the rectum. This tool then takes pictures of the prostate gland by emitting sound waves.

Apart from assisting in the biopsy procedure, TRUS is also sometimes performed to look for suspicious areas in the prostate or measure the size of the prostate gland, which can help determine PSA density. This procedure is also often used during the process of prostate cancer treatment, especially radiation therapy.

5. MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help the doctor give a very clear picture of the prostate gland and surrounding tissue. For prostate cancer diagnosis, an MRI scan can be done for a variety of purposes, such as:

• Helps determine whether a man needs to do a biopsy or not.
• Guide the prostate biopsy needle to the targeted abnormal area.
• Help determine the stage of cancer after a biopsy.
• Detect the spread of cancer cells in the surrounding tissue.

6. Other tests

In addition to some of the tests mentioned above, you may need to undergo other screening tests for prostate cancer, especially if your cancer cells have spread. Here are some tests you may need to undergo:

• Bone scan: This test is done if the cancer cells have spread to the bone.
• CT scan: This test is usually done if the cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
• Lymph node biopsy: This test is done when cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes.

What to do after a positive diagnosis of prostate cancer?

You may feel afraid, anxious, angry, or stressed once you get a positive diagnosis of prostate cancer. This reaction is normal. However, you need to get up immediately so as not to hinder your cancer treatment process.

If you are confused, you can follow the tips below so that your prostate cancer treatment is effective and runs optimally.

• Find the most detailed information possible about prostate cancer treatment. This will help you prepare for any possibilities and can make you calmer.
• Find a doctor who you think you are most comfortable with and who is able to respond to any complaints you feel.
• Ask for family support.
• Protect yourself from negative stories so they don't stress you out.
• Do a variety of positive things, including spending time with people who have positive energy. You can join communities, organizations and activist groups related to prostate cancer.
• Apply a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a balanced nutritious diet and exercising as recommended by your doctor. This can help you prevent prostate cancer from getting worse.