What steps are involved in diagnosing prostate cancer?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Prostate cancer diagnosis typically involves three key steps: a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test to measure protein levels, a digital rectal exam (DRE) to physically check the prostate for abnormalities, and, if results are concerning, a biopsy to examine tissue samples for cancer cells. Imaging tests like MRI may also be used.

If you're noticing symptoms or have concerns about your prostate health, don't wait to get answers. Early detection significantly improves outcomes, and understanding your symptoms is the first step. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your symptoms and get personalized guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if prostate symptoms need care now Learn likely causes of prostate cancer symptoms See whether symptoms suggest prostate cancer Find OTC relief for urinary discomfort Find a prostate cancer specialist nearby Understand medically valid home remedies for symptoms Find out if prostate cancer is possible

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Explanation

Diagnosing prostate cancer starts with a couple of important tests. If you're experiencing symptoms and want to understand what they might mean, try Ubie's free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights before your doctor's visit.

PSA Blood Test: This test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. High levels might suggest prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other conditions.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): In this test, a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to check for any lumps or unusual areas.

If these tests suggest cancer, a biopsy might be done. A biopsy involves taking small samples of prostate tissue to look for cancer cells under a microscope.

These steps help doctors find out if someone has prostate cancer and decide the best way to treat it.

(References)

Sekhoacha M, Riet K, Motloung P, Gumenku L, Adegoke A, & Mashele S. (2022). Prostate Cancer Review: Genetics, Diagnosis, Treatment .... Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 36080493.
Pinthus JH, Pacik D, & Ramon J. (2007). Diagnosis of prostate cancer. Recent results in cancer research. Fortschritte der Krebsforschung. Progres dans les recherches sur le cancer, 17432555.
Descotes JL. (2019). Diagnosis of prostate cancer. Asian journal of urology, 31061798.

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