Exams and Tests

• A physical exam is required to see if other medical problems may be causing your symptoms. The doctor will conduct a digital rectal exam to examine the prostate gland. He or she can feel the prostate by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum. This procedure allows your doctor to estimate the size and condition of the prostate. Most importantly, it allows the doctor to feel for lumps or hard areas that could indicate the presence of prostate cancer.



• Your doctor may check your urine (urinalysis) for blood or signs of infection. Your blood may be tested for kidney problems or sent for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level -- a screening test for prostate cancer.



• Some men are referred to a specialist (urologist) for further tests. Urologists specialize in diseases of the male and female urinary tracts and of the male genital tract. Before you are treated for benign prostate enlargement, it is important to rule out other possible causes of an enlarged prostate, such as cancer.