Prostate cancer in its early stages is not accompanied by any symptoms, but the more advanced stages of prostate cancer are sometimes detected due to the symptoms that they cause. Most of the prostate cancers are normally first found during screening that is done with a prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA) or a digital rectal scan (DRS). In case the results of the tests indicate the presence of cancer in the body, then further tests need to be done in order to confirm the diagnosis. A prostate biopsy is the only actual test that can confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Your doctor may ask you questions about any symptoms that you might have especially urinary or sexual problems if he/she suspects that you may have prostate cancer. Your family history will also be looked at in this case. Your doctor might also do a digital rectal exam in order to feel for the presence of any bumps or hard areas on the prostate that might be cancer. The DRE also helps the doctor identify whether the cancer is present only on one side, on both the sides of the prostate gland or if it has spread to the nearby tissues of the prostate gland. Other tests may also be ordered. Some of the tests that your doctor may suggest that you undergo are as follows:

• PSA Blood Test : Men who do not have any symptoms of prostate cancer are likely to be screened to check if they have prostate cancer with the help of the prostate-specific antigen blood test. The PSA level in any normal male is around 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood. If the level increases and goes above 4, then the chances are that the person might have prostate cancer.
• Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) : A small probe is lubricated and placed in your rectum, which gives off sound waves that enter the prostate gland and creates echoes. These echoes are then picked up by the probe and are converted into a black and white image of the prostate with the aid of a computer. This procedure is very quick and takes less than 10 minutes and is not a painful one either. When a man has a high PSA level or an abnormal DRE result, then TRUS is used to look at the prostate gland.
• Prostate biopsy : If your PSA blood test and DRE indicate that you have prostate cancer, then your doctor will do a prostate biopsy. Small samples of the prostate are removed and viewed under the microscope in this procedure. In order to detect prostate cancer, a core needle biopsy is the main method that is used. This procedure is usually performed by a urologist. TRUS is used to see the prostate gland and a needle is inserted through the wall of the rectum into the prostate. The needle removes a small cylinder of prostate tissue. Sometimes as many as 12 samples are taken and tested from different parts of the prostate. They are then checked to see if they contain cancer cells.