Prostate Exam
Q: What should I expect at my first prostate exam?
Affinity's medical expert is Dr. Ronald Slovick, a board-certified urologist with Affinity Medical Group in Appleton.
A: A prostate exam reveals the health of the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. A full prostate exam consists of two parts: a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam (DRE).
A PSA test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of PSA proteins in the blood. Men normally have low levels of the protein, but certain conditions such as cancer, inflammation of the prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia can elevate PSA levels. PSA levels generally increase with age.
There is a lot of controversy in the medical community surrounding the interpretation of PSA levels. Because many factors such as age, race and progression of disease affect PSA levels, men should discuss PSA results with their physician. Your doctor can help determine what level is normal for you and can address any concerns that you may have regarding PSA testing.
A digital rectal exam (DRE) checks for bumps and abnormalities with the prostate. During a DRE, the physician will feel the prostate through the rectal wall. Combined, a DRE and a PSA test help doctors detect prostate problems in men and guide the physician’s next steps for additional testing and diagnosis.
Men age 50 and older are encouraged to get a prostate exam each year. Men who have a family history of prostate cancer or who are African American should begin testing at age 40. If you are unclear about when you should begin testing, talk with your primary care physician.
