Cancer Survivorship & Post-Op ED
Clear patient guide to prostate cancer screening with PSA blood testing and digital rectal exam, explaining age-based screening guidelines, PSA interpretation, and how abnormal results guide biopsy and treatment decisions.
Written and reviewed by Shervin Badkhshan, MD · Last reviewed
November 2026
Part of:
After prostate cancer treatment
Fellowship-Trained Reconstructive Urology
AT-A-GLANCE CLINICAL CARE PATHWAY
Symptom-to-Solution Overview
1. COMMON SYMPTOMS
Prostate cancer screening is a preventative medical evaluation designed to detect early changes or signs of cancer in the prostate gland before any physical symptoms develop. Early-stage prostate cancer typically progresses slowly and is completely silent, meaning it causes no pain or urinary changes. By implementing routine screening at age-appropriate milestones, we can catch cellular changes early when they are highly manageable and when definitive, curative options have the highest success rates.
Primary Symptoms
- Typically Silent: Early prostate cancer does not cause any physical symptoms; if you wait for symptoms like bone pain or severe urinary blockages to appear, the disease may already be advanced.
- Urinary Overlap: Common changes like frequency or a weak stream are usually caused by benign prostate growth (BPH), but screening helps rule out concurrent changes.
Diagnostic Approach
- PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Blood Test: A baseline blood draw that measures the level of a specific protein produced by the prostate; elevated or rapidly rising levels can indicate inflammation, benign growth, or early cancer changes.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): A brief, specialized clinical examination where the provider gently feels the surface of the prostate to check for physical irregularities, hard nodules, or structural asymmetry.
An enlarged prostate is not cancer
Benign enlargement (BPH) and prostate cancer are separate conditions. They often exist together, but one doesn't cause the other. BPH grows in the center of the prostate and squeezes the urethra, which causes urinary symptoms. Cancer usually starts in the outer part of the gland and rarely causes urinary symptoms early on.
PSA is prostate-specific, not cancer-specific
Enlargement, infection, inflammation, recent instruments in the urethra, and even vigorous exercise can raise PSA. That's why a high number leads to a closer look, such as a repeat test or an MRI, not straight to a diagnosis. PSA results explained · Prostate MRI explained.
Recommended Surgical & Treatment Pathways
Dedicated Subspecialty Center: Cancer Survivorship & Pelvic Rehabilitation Hub →
Surgical Reconstruction: Robotic Simple Prostatectomy — Surgical management for benign gland enlargement distinguished from malignant histology.
Diagnostic Imaging & Labs: PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Explained →
Diagnostic Imaging & Labs: Prostate MRI & PI-RADS Scores Explained →
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Your actual test results, visit notes, and messages with your care team are in your patient portal, the same one you use to book visits. Send questions through the portal or call the office at (516) 535-1900. For anything urgent, call the office or go to the nearest emergency room.