Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. It’s a serious disease, but it’s often curable if it’s caught early. That’s why it’s important to know how to check for prostate cancer.
There are two main ways to check for prostate cancer: the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). The PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in your blood. PSA is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland. A high PSA level may be a sign of prostate cancer, but it can also be caused by other conditions, such as prostatitis or an enlarged prostate. The DRE is a physical exam in which the doctor inserts a finger into your rectum to feel the prostate gland. The doctor will be able to feel if the prostate gland is enlarged or if there are any other abnormalities.