Self-exams should not be performed at home to avoid injury or self-harm. You may discover a palpable lump or a harder area compared to the rest of the prostate, but you should keep in mind that your best effort will only allow you to examine the back and sides of the prostate gland. Although most prostate cancers originate in these regions, cancer can develop in parts of the prostate gland that it cannot reach. Studies have shown that when urologists detect nodules using a digital rectal exam, they are usually advanced.
A negative self-test can give you false confidence. Performing a prostate self-exam is not a substitute for the recommended screening test, which will depend on your age and risk factors. Digital rectal examination is no longer widely recommended as a screening test, although it can detect abnormalities in areas within reach of the finger, if the abnormalities are palpable. However, this is not a sensitive test, and a negative test should not reassure you.
Instead, experts recommend using PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels for screening. You may have several different tests done to determine if you have an enlarged prostate. Some of the tests may be done in your primary care doctor's office. Your primary care doctor can also arrange for you to see a doctor who specializes in urinary problems (a urologist) or a specialized nurse at the hospital.
You may have this test if you are thinking about surgery to treat an enlarged prostate, or if you have had surgery but your symptoms haven't improved or are getting worse. Your family doctor will check if your symptoms may be due to another health problem, such as diabetes, or to any medications you are taking, such as blood pressure medications, antidepressants, or herbal medicines. To check your prostate, your doctor will ask you to lie on your side with your knees raised or ask you to stand while leaning forward with your hips flexed. If you are a man over 40 and you have symptoms such as difficulty urinating or pain in your lower back, you may want to have your prostate examined by your doctor.
Examination of the prostate and consideration of the prostate are important factors in determining eligibility for penile enlargement surgeries. Your family doctor may ask you for a urine sample to check for blood or an infection that may be causing your symptoms. They'll also check if your symptoms may be due to your lifestyle, such as if you frequently drink large amounts of fluids, alcohol, or beverages containing caffeine (such as tea, coffee or cola). This may indicate an enlarged prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or a urinary tract infection.
Having urinary symptoms means you should probably get screened for an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Your family doctor may ask you to keep a diary for a few days to check how much you drink, what type of drinks you drink, how much you urinate, and how often and at what time you urinate. Dhir's experience includes minimally invasive treatments for prostate enlargement (UroLift), kidney stone disease, surgical treatment of urological cancers, and men's health (erectile dysfunction, low testosterone levels and infertility). Abnormalities may include symptoms associated with prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement) and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate, usually due to infection).
PSA levels may vary over time for several reasons not related to prostate cancer (such as ejaculation, certain medications, or prostate enlargement). .
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