A Prostate Examination Can Easily Reveal Prostate Problems - By: Don Saunders

Nearly all men will experience one type of prostate problem with roughly half of all men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (a swollen prostate) by the time they reach the age of 60 and approximately ninety percent experiencing the problem by the time they reach the age of 80 years of age.

As its name suggests benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-malignant or benign swelling of the prostate and can often be treated with medication or with minor minimally invasive surgery. The first step however is to make sure that the problem is benign prostatic hyperplasia rather than something else, such as difficulties with the kidneys or bladder or a urinary tract infection.

Whilst carrying out a check for an enlarged prostate gland it is crucial to also look for the presence of prostate cancer as, despite the fact that an enlarged prostate gland does not produce prostate cancer, it is possible for an enlarged prostate gland and prostate cancer to exist side-by-side.

Initial testing will usually involve a prostate examination, or digital rectal exam, along with an assessment of the patient's symptoms and medical history. As the prostate lies between the bladder and the rectum it is a simple matter for a doctor to insert a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to inspect the prostate for signs of swelling or irregularities. This is possibly not the pleasantest procedure but is more embarrassing than painful.

It is also feasible for you to do your own prostate exam or for a partner to do this for you. Indeed, many men find that this reasonably simple examination can be done fairly easily once a month or so while taking a shower. This can provide a great deal of peace of mind and can also allow any problem to be found at a very early stage so that it can be treated.

Your doctor might also request a number of laboratory tests at this stage. These might include a blood test to determine PSA levels, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine as well as a urine test.

Prostate specific antigen is present in the blood and is specific to the prostate with levels rising a little bit in response to a swollen prostate and quite markedly in response to prostate cancer.

The other tests are designed to detect the existence of a urinary tract infection or difficulties with the kidneys, both of which can produce symptoms that are similar to the symptoms seen in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

In some cases your doctor may also request additional tests such as an ultrasound examination which can determine the size of the prostate and measure the volume of urine held in the bladder, or a cystoscopy (an examination using a thin flexible scope) to look at the state of the bladder and urethra.

When these tests do not produce conclusive results a doctor may request a prostate biopsy in which several small tissue samples are removed from the prostate for microscopic inspection.

About the Author

ProstateProblemCenter.com looks at the symptoms of enlarged prostate and the digital rectal exam

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