The PSA test
The PSA tests the level of Prostate Specific Antigen in the blood. A high reading suggests prostate cancer but could be caused by other conditions. Up to 1 in 5 men with prostate cancer will have a normal PSA result.
A positive biopsy is needed to confirm cancer. If prostate cancer is diagnosed, it is not necessarily life threatening and treatment many not be required - as most men diagnosed with early prostate cancer following a positive PSA test would be expected to have slowly growing cancer which should not cause any problems during their natural lifespan.
Ultrasound
A small probe is inserted into the back passage and a scan taken to show the exact size of the prostate.
Rectal Examination (DRE)
Your doctor can actually feel the size of the prostate gland through the wall of the back passage. This is called a Digital Rectum Examination. However, an enlarged prostate does not necessarily indicate prostate cancer.
TRUS -
(Trans-Rectal Ultra Sound Guided Biopsy)
The biopsy involves taking a tiny sample of tissue from the prostate using a probe which is inserted into the back passage and the tissue then analysed.
