Prostate cancer screening

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Prostate cancer screening is an attempt to identify individuals with prostate cancer in a broad segment of the population—those for whom there is no reason to suspect prostate cancer. There are currently two methods used: One is the digital rectal examination (DRE), in which the examiner inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to examine the adjoining prostate. The other is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which measures the concentration of this molecule in the blood. The guidelines for prostate cancer screening are controversial because the benefits of screening may not outweigh the risks of follow-up diagnostic tests and cancer treatments.

See also the prostate cancer screening section of the prostate-specific antigen page.