Prostate Checks

Prostate checks are a part of life for most adult men. It’s a necessary step to ensure that you stay on top of your health and become aware of any abnormalities before they evolve into serious problems.

For many men, it can be a nervous time. Here, we answer some of the questions frequently asked by patients. Take a read and if you’re still unsure, book an appointment with your GP for a chat to decide what’s right for you.

When should men start getting prostate checks?

Once you reach 50, you should be getting a prostate check every two years or so. Some men with a strong family history may want to start getting prostate exams earlier in life, and your doctor can talk to you about this.

Can all doctors perform a prostate check or do I need to go to a specialist?

Both general practitioners and specialists can do a prostate check. Many men see their regular GP for this check-up.

What will happen at my first prostate check?

This largely depends on the nature of the consult. If you’ve never had a prostate check before, it would often involve the GP taking a thorough history of your current health and family history of prostate cancer, asking about symptoms, an examination, and tests.

PSA is likely the most common form of test and simply involves a blood test.

The test that many men feel nervous about is called a DRE (digital rectal examination). However, it is no longer recommended as an initial screening test for prostate cancer. Only if you begin exhibiting signs or symptoms synonymous with prostate cancer, is your doctor likely to refer you for further test/ specialist consultation.

Is a prostate check painful?

A prostate check should not be painful. If it’s a PSA (blood test), the blood drawing may cause minor discomfort.

What are the warning signs of prostate cancer?

If you haven’t been for a prostate check for some time, it is well worth keeping an eye out for the warning signs of prostate cancer. Some of the warning signs include:

• Changed urination patterns. This can include urinating more frequently or finding it necessary to urinate more often at night. Finding it difficult to empty your bladder, or a weak/ interrupted flow can also be a warning sign.
• Blood in urine or semen. Sometimes this may be accompanied by pain or a burning sensation.
• Erectile dysfunction or otherwise abnormal function. If you’ve found yourself having difficulties gaining or maintaining an erection, and can’t identify any other likely cause, this may be a symptom of prostate cancer.
• Discomfort sitting or bending – this can be an indication that your prostate is abnormally enlarged.

These warning signs can vary significantly between individuals. The absence of symptoms does not necessarily mean the absence of prostate cancer. Other symptoms may include weight loss, swollen feet, fatigue, or muscle pain elsewhere in the body. To be sure, it is important to book yourself in for a prostate check.

If you are healthy and have no symptoms/ signs, think about doing a prostate check from 50 years old.

Regular prostate checks can help establish a history and baseline of what is considered normal. It’s important to take your doctor’s recommendations on how often you should be undergoing a prostate check.

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

Prostate cancer can be diagnosed by following tests, remembering they ought to support the context of the patient’s signs and symptoms.

1. PSA Test: The PSA test seeks to identify the presence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) within the blood. Elevated levels of PSA may be an indicator of prostate cancer. For this reason, it’s important to have regular checkups with your doctor, so that PSA levels can be tracked over time.
2. Radiology test: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a useful scan to visualise the prostate and is proven to be highly effective in detecting prostate cancer changes

Book a Prostate Check Now

It pays to stay ahead of the game. Don’t leave it too late. By undergoing regular prostate checks, you can ensure that you can stay on top of any developments before things get too serious.

CLICK HERE for contact and booking details at your local SmartClinics Medical Centre.