Prostate cancer screening & diagnosis

Prostate cancer is a serious disease that is slow to develop, mainly in older men. Typical symptoms, including urinary problems, may not appear at all in the early stages.

At Advocate, we encourage men 50 and older to get annual screenings to detect this common condition early, when it can be closely monitored or treated. African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should be screened sooner, typically by age 40 or 45. Our genetic cancer risk assessment program also offers counseling and testing for families with a history or other hereditary concerns for prostate cancer.

To schedule a screening, call 800-3-ADVOCATE.

Prostate exams we perform

Advocate physicians perform two routine screenings to look for warnings signs of prostate cancer:

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a substance made by cells in the prostate gland (both normal cells and cancer cells). PSA is mostly found in semen, but a small amount is also found in the blood.

This blood test checks the level of PSA in the blood. Elevated PSA may be a sign of prostate cancer or a non-cancerous problem called benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Digital rectal exam (DRE)

During a digital rectal exam (DRE), your physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate for any irregularities (both growths and enlargement). While it is not an entirely comfortable experience, it takes just a few seconds and helps saves lives.

Follow-up testing

While these early detection tools can look for signs of prostate cancer, they can’t tell for sure if you have the condition.

If your results show anything abnormal, your urologist may recommend a few quick and relatively painless follow-up tests, such as:

• Transrectal ultrasound: Uses soundwaves to create a picture of the prostate.
• Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy: Using images provided by ultrasound, your physician extracts a small amount of tissue to be analyzed in the lab. The tissue biopsy provides important details that can be useful for treatment planning.
• Cystoscopy: Long, thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera on the tip allows your physician to see inside the urethra and bladder and look for abnormalities.

If cancer is confirmed, your doctor may order tests to determine the stage of cancer (how far advanced the cancer is), such as:

• Bone scan: Assesses whether cancer has spread to the bones, which sometimes happens when prostate cancer progresses.
• CT or CAT scan: Combines X-rays and computer technology to create many cross-sectional image "slices" of organs and other body structures.
• MRI: Uses a powerful magnet, radiofrequencies and computer technology to create detailed images of organs.