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Diagnosis

You’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer –
here’s what’s next and how we can help you.

Diagnosis

Early detection is the key to curing prostate cancer. Men should have a yearly prostate cancer screening, including a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE). Since the risk of developing prostate cancer before age 50 is low, many experts recommend the average man begin annual prostate cancer screenings at age 50. African-American men and men with a family history of the disease should begin testing at age 40. Click here for tips on prevention and when you should get checked.

A PSA blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE) are the two standard screening tests for prostate cancer. PSA is an enzyme produced by the prostate. It is normal to have small amounts of this enzyme in the bloodstream, so an elevated PSA alone does not necessarily indicate cancer. It may indicate non-cancerous conditions such as prostate inflammation, infection, or trauma. Often the DRE does not reveal any abnormalities that the doctor can feel. For this reason, the PSA blood test together with the DRE is important for early detection.

A doctor will evaluate these prostate cancer screening tests and may recommend a biopsy. The vast majority of physicians use an ultrasound guided technique to remove several small pieces of prostate tissue for microscopic examination. This is usually an office procedure performed under local anesthesia.

Newer biopsy techniques include stereotactic transperineal prostate biopsy (STPB), where specimens are obtained through the Perineum, rather than the rectum. 

If you suspect you may have cancer or want to meet with Dr. Moran: please call the Prostate Cancer Center at 630.654.2515 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Moran’s office.

If you have questions about testing, next steps, support groups, or anything else, call the Foundation at 630.366.7861 to get the information you are looking for. You can also email us at info@chicagoprostatefoundation.org.

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