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Screening & Diagnosis

We Support You Through Early Detection

Early detection of Prostate Cancer is the best way to fight the disease. Holy Cross Health Cancer Center offers a wide range of diagnostic tools to help detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages when it is often curable.

According to the American Cancer Society, some types of cancer can be prevented, but prostate cancer is not among them. There is no sure way to avoid it, as you can't control your age or ethnic origin. However, experts agree that maintaining a healthy lifestyle—controlling weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise—may lower the risk of all types of cancers.

Deciding whether, and when, to be tested for Prostate Cancer is a discussion men should have with their doctors. According to the American Cancer Society’s Prostate Cancer screening recommendations:

  • Men at average risk should talk to their doctors about Prostate Cancer screening starting at age 50
  • Men at high risk should talk to their doctors about Prostate Cancer screening starting at age 45. Men at high risk include African-American men and men with a close relative (father, brother, or son) who had Prostate Cancer before age 65.

Screening and diagnostic options for Prostate Cancer include:

  • Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) – allows doctors to explore the prostate and the rectum for abnormalities that could be cancerous.
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing (PSA) – a blood test that looks for specific "markers" in the blood that can indicate the presence of cancer in the prostate. In general, a higher PSA correlates to more advanced cancer. The PSA is valuable in determining the likelihood that you will be cured. Your PSA also helps your physicians determine the most appropriate treatment for you. In general, the higher the PSA, the more aggressive the treatment.
  • Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) – if your PSA is elevated, or if you have an abnormal DRE, your urologist may perform a Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and multiple biopsies of the prostate. The TRUS uses sound waves to image the prostate. Sometimes abnormal areas within the prostate can be seen with TRUS and your urologist will target these at the time of biopsy. Once the procedure is completed, the biopsy tissue is sent to a pathologist for analysis.

Learn more about cancer screening and diagnosis

Call 1-855-HCH-HOPE (424-4673) to learn more about our cancer care services. Call 301-754-8200 to schedule a cancer screening appointment.