Talk to your doctor about testing for prostate cancer. Yearly check-ups with your doctor are important to look for cancers early.
Tests that should be done each year for men over age 50, or men of African descent over age 40, include:
- PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.
- The level of PSA in the blood is high in men who have prostate cancer.
- Rectal Exam.
Your doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel for hard or lumpy areas in the prostate.
If your test shows that you may have prostate cancer, other tests may be needed. A small amount of the prostate tissue may be removed to check for cancer cells. This is called a biopsy.