ProstateCancer??

You've managed to do it up until now, but don't ignore your prostate problems any longer. A prostate exam can be performed quickly and easily by your primary care physician and it is the best way to rule out any larger problems in your health that may be causing your symptoms. Fortunately, even if you've put off your prostate check, most problems can be brought under control quickly once they are pinpointed.

Prostate problems are often diagnosed through a number of small symptoms that occur over a period of time. If you have more than a couple of bouts with common symptoms of a prostate problem such as frequent urination, difficulty in urination or a feeling that you still need to "go" after emptying your bladder, hip or back pain that doesn't subside - all of these point to a problem with your prostate that should be examined by your primary care physician. A prostate check is the easiest way to rule out major causes and get to the root cause of your symptoms. Make a note of the symptoms you are experiencing and keep a journal for at least a week before your appointment. You need to discuss your concerns with your doctor who will pinpoint the cause of your prostate problem as quickly as possible so you can begin treatment. The only way to eliminate the symptoms of prostate problems is by addressing the cause.

It can be disconcerting to consider going in for a prostate check if you're not sure what to expect. However, most prostate exams are conducted using the digital rectal exam and it's a simple yet effective way for your physician to gauge the health of your prostate gland. A gloved and lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum and the physician will feel the prostate gland through the walls of the rectum. A healthy prostate is spongy and has a little spring to it, whereas a diseased prostate will have hard spots and these are easily found in the check. If hard spots are found, your physician will most likely recommend additional testing.

Another way that prostate problems can be diagnosed is through a blood test. Your blood will be screened for antigens using a PSA test. PSA stands for "prostate-specific antigen" and men who have prostate problems, including prostate cancer will have a higher level of PSA in their blood. However, do not immediately jump to the conclusion that you have prostate cancer if your PSA levels come back elevated because even a simple infection of the prostate can raise PSA levels. Additional testing will need to be done to narrow down the cause of raised antigens in the blood.

Take the bull by the horns and do not put off getting a prostate check any longer. If you've been experiencing symptoms of a prostate problem, the sooner you can determine the cause, the better. It may be a simple swollen prostate that can be managed through dietary changes, with the addition of medications or saw palmetto. However, if you have a larger problem such as diabetes or prostate cancer, the earlier you catch the cause of the symptoms, the faster you can get your condition under control.