The diagnosis of prostate cancer usually begins in your doctor’s
office during a routine rectal exam followed by a blood test to
measure prostate specific antigen (PSA). If your rectal exam
shows abnormal changes or your PSA test is elevated, your doctor
will need to do further testing to determine if you have cancer,
benign prostatic hypertrophy , an infection, or some other
condition. Your doctor will ask about your medical history,
including information about possible risk factors related to
prostate cancer, and do a physical exam. Your doctor will also
do testing to determine the nature of the abnormal cell growth
of the prostate. Tests may include the following: - Blood
tests—Your doctor will take a blood sample to test for prostatic
specific antigen (PSA) . This is a chemical that indicates
abnormalities in the prostate. - Transrectal ultrasonography (or
ultrasound)—An ultrasound probe is placed into the rectum as
close to the prostate as possible. The probe releases painless
sound waves that bounce off