Prostate cancer
Diagnosis and tests
Diagnosing prostate cancer
Your family doctor (GP) will talk to you about your symptoms. They may do a digital rectal examination (DRE) or a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Your GP will refer you to hospital if they think you need more tests.
You may have tests at a Rapid Access Prostate Clinic. These are special clinics for prostate cancer testing.
Tests to diagnose prostate cancer
Digital rectal examination
Inserting a gloved finger into your back passage to see if your prostate feels normal. It can be a little uncomfortable but it doesn’t take long.
PSA test
This test checks the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. A raised PSA level can be a sign of prostate cancer, but it can also be caused by other conditions like a urinary infection or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis).
Important to know:
- A raised PSA doesn’t always mean cancer. In fact, 2 out of 3 men with a raised PSA do not have prostate cancer.
- Some men with prostate cancer have a normal PSA level.
Before your PSA test:
- Avoid ejaculation or intense exercise for 48 hours beforehand.
- You may need to delay the test if you have a urinary infection or had a prostate biopsy in the last 6 weeks.
Talk to your GP for the best time to have the test.
Understanding PSA test results
If you're not sure what your PSA test result means, we have more information. You could also talk to our cancer nurses - Call our Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre.
Mp-MRI (multi parametric magnetic resonance imaging)
This is a type of MRI scan. It may be done before you have a biopsy to help your doctors decide where to take samples of cells from.at creates more detailed pictures of your prostate than a standard MRI.
Prostate biopsy
A prostate biopsy uses a needle to take small samples of prostate tissue. These samples are examined by a pathologist to see how abnormal the cells are. Read more about prostate biopsies.
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, we're here for you.
Our cancer nurses are here if you need information or just want to talk. They can help you to understand your diagnosis and what to expect, send you information and tell you about our services.
Further tests for prostate cancer
You may need further tests to give your doctors more information about your general health and about the cancer.
A type of X-ray that gives a detailed picture of the tissues inside your body.
Read more about CT scans.
A scan that uses a radioactive injection to show up cancer cells.
Read more about PET scan.
A radioactive injection that can show areas of abnormal bone on a scan, which may be caused by cancer that has spread.
Read more about bone scans.
You may have bone X-rays if the bone scan shows up any abnormal areas. These X-rays will help to confirm if the cancer has spread or not.
A device like a microphone passed over your tummy area. It can show any abnormal changes.
Read more about ultrasound scans.
A type of PET scan, which uses a special antibody molecule and radioactivity to see if the prostate cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
The tests you have can help to:
- Stage your cancer. This means finding out the size and position of the cancer.
- Grade your cancer. Grading describes how quickly the cancer may grow and spread and how it might respond to treatment.
Some tests may be used see how you are responding to treatment.
Find out more about staging and grading
Waiting for test results
While some results may come back quickly, others may take a few weeks. Waiting for results can be an anxious time. It may help to talk things over with your doctor or nurse or with a relative or close friend. You can also call our Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre to speak to a cancer nurse.
Continue reading about prostate cancer
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