Prostate Cancer Screening
What is screening?
Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can
help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found
early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have
begun to spread.
Scientists are trying to better understand which people are more likely to
get certain types of cancer. They also study the things we do and the things
around us to see if they cause cancer. This information helps doctors recommend
who should be screened for cancer, which screening tests should be used, and how
often the tests should be done.
It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you
have cancer if he or she suggests a screening test. Screening tests are given
when you have no cancer symptoms. Screening tests may be repeated on a regular
basis.
If a screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done
to find out if you have cancer. These are called diagnostic tests.
Refer to the following PDQ summaries for information about prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer:
Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the
tissues of the prostate.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below
the bladder (the organ that collects and empties urine) and in front of the
rectum (the lower part of the intestine). It is about the size of a walnut and
surrounds part of the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder).
The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of semen.
 |
| Anatomy of the male reproductive and urinary systems, showing the prostate,
testicles, bladder, and other organs. |
As men age, the prostate may get bigger. A bigger prostate may block the flow
of urine from the bladder and cause problems with sexual function. This
condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and although it is not
cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it. The symptoms of benign prostatic
hyperplasia or of other problems in the prostate may be similar to symptoms of
prostate cancer.
 |
| Normal prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A normal prostate
does not block the flow of urine from the bladder. An enlarged prostate presses
on the bladder and urethra and blocks the flow of urine. |
Next: How common is prostate cancer? »
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