• DRE digital rectal examination
  • • detection of  lumps, hard spots, or other changes in the prostate indicating the presence of cancer
    • enlargement of the prostate, sign of benign prostatic hyperplasia
    • tenderness, sign of prostatitis
    • not reliable method of diagnosing prostate cancer
    • in case of any abnormality, further testing needed to confirm the diagnosis
• PSA protein produced by the prostate measured in blood
  • • discuss over-diagnosis and over-treatment with your primary healthcare provider
• TRUS transrectal ultrasound, non-invasive imaging technique
  • • used to monitor the progression of prostate cancer and to assess the effectiveness of treatment
• Biopsy sample of tissue from the prostate and examines it under a microscope to look for cancer cells
  • • most accurate way to diagnose prostate cancer
    • helps to rule out other conditions that may be causing symptoms similar to those of prostate cancer
    • complications can include infection, bleeding, and pain; can be uncomfortable and may require a few days of recovery
• MRI magnetic resonance imaging
  • • more sensitive than other imaging techniques, such as transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and computed tomography (CT), in detecting prostate cancer
    • helps to identify the stage of the cancer
    • can be used in conjunction with DRE and PSA to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the prostate

Pros: Early Detection, Improved Quality of Life and Cost Savings

Cons: False Positives, Over-diagnosis and Costs