Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

There are two very simple tests that can help to diagnose prostate cancer.

• PSA is a protein produced exclusively by the prostate gland. All men have a small amount of PSA in their bloodstream (around 4ng/ml). If this level rises, and it can reach 3000ng/ml or more in some men, your GP may wish to refer you to a specialist for further tests.
• A DRE involves the doctor placing a finger inside your back passage and feeling the prostate gland to check its size and shape and whether any lumps can be detected. Although not very pleasant, this should not hurt in any way.

Neither test is 100 per cent accurate, but taken together they can indicate any problems. Your doctor may also take into account your age, since prostate cancer generally affects men over the age of 50 years, and he may also ask about any family history of prostate cancer.

How far might the cancer have spread?

Doctors can do tests that show how advanced the prostate cancer is, the most important being PSA and Gleason scores.

• PSA level is an indication of the severity of the disease. As a general rule, PSAs above 10 are considered indicative of advanced cancers that have spread.
• Gleason scores, based on a biopsy, measure the aggressive nature of cancer cells, and may be even more helpful in deciding the best individual treatment. A number below 7 usually means it’s safe to opt for not such aggressive treatment. The higher the score, the greater the risk to the patient.