[b]Irving, TX[/b] – Prostate cancer presents no particular symptoms and especially in the early stages. Screening offers patients a chance to catch it early enough and therefore, effectively treat it. Detecting prostate cancer in its later stages poses a problem because it will most likely have spread to other parts of the body. Routine screenings usually begin at a later age and they are meant to give a baseline of sorts. Doctors are better able to notice any changes to the relevant cells if they occur later on.

“A lot of research has gone into prostate cancer tests and treatment to enable better understanding and handling of the disease”, says Dr. Echt. “People should take advantage of these strides and go for screening to avoid late detection.”

There are several kinds of prostate cancer tests available and many are based on the initial results after screening. The basic tests include:

• [b]Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)[/b] – This test entails a doctor putting a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum. The aim of this test is to allow the doctor to feel the backside of the prostate gland for any irregularities, determine the size, and feel for firm areas.

• [b]Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)[/b] – This blood test checks whether PSA levels are within normal levels. When prostate cancer is present or even a benign enlargement, PSA levels in the blood increase. This test alerts the doctor on any possible changes going on behind the scenes.

• [b]Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS)[/b] – As the name suggests, this is an ultrasound. The doctor inserts a probe into the rectum in order to get a view of the prostate gland. This test enables the doctor to get measurements of the prostate gland, determine whether there are any physical changes to the gland, and spot any abnormal tissue growth. This procedure is often used to guide needle biopsies where an urologist obtains a sample of prostate tissue.

“Initial tests guide the diagnosis and treatment. Further tests may be required depending on what the doctor finds”, adds Dr. Echt.

[b]About The Prostate Seed Institute[/b]

The Prostate Seed Institute is one of the country’s leading pioneers in prostate cancer treatment including prostate seed implementation, a fast and painless procedure that effectively treats prostate cancer in its earliest stages. With a team of oncology experts and a state-of-the-art facility, the Prostate Seed Institute provides prostate cancer patients with the most comprehensive treatment available.