To detect prostate cancer early, you need to know these screening methods!

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in men. Early detection is crucial to improving treatment effectiveness and survival rates. However, many patients do not know the screening methods for prostate cancer, which leads to missing the best time for treatment. We will introduce the early screening methods for prostate cancer in detail to help patients better understand and prevent this disease.

1. Overview of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer refers to a malignant tumor that occurs in the prostate epithelium. Its incidence rate increases with age. Early prostate cancer usually has no obvious symptoms, but as the disease progresses, symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, pain when urinating, and hematuria may appear. If cancer cells metastasize to other parts of the body, it may also cause symptoms such as bone pain and fractures. Therefore, early detection and early treatment are crucial for prostate cancer patients.

2. Main screening methods for prostate cancer

Digital rectal examination (DRE)

Digital rectal examination is a simple, direct and effective method for screening prostate cancer. The doctor can intuitively feel the size, shape and texture of the prostate by touching the front wall of the patient's rectum with his fingers. If there are nodules or irregular shapes on the surface of the prostate, this may be a sign of prostate cancer. Digital rectal examination does not require any special equipment and is easy to operate, so it has become an important means of preliminary screening for prostate cancer. Through digital rectal examination, doctors can preliminarily determine whether there are abnormalities in the prostate, providing important clues for further examinations.

Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test

PSA is a specific protein produced by prostate cells, and its level in the blood is normally low. However, when prostate cancer cells grow, they destroy the normal structure of the prostate, causing PSA to be released into the blood, thereby increasing the PSA level in the blood. Therefore, by detecting the PSA level in the blood, doctors can indirectly determine whether the prostate is cancerous. PSA testing has the characteristics of high sensitivity and strong specificity, and is currently one of the main means of prostate cancer screening. However, it should be noted that PSA levels are affected by many factors. For example, benign diseases such as prostatitis and prostatic hyperplasia may also cause PSA levels to increase. Therefore, when conducting a PSA test, doctors need to make a comprehensive judgment based on other test results and the patient's clinical symptoms to ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS)

Transrectal ultrasound is a non-invasive prostate cancer screening method with extremely high application value. The doctor inserts the ultrasound probe into the patient's rectum and uses ultrasound to perform a comprehensive scan of the prostate. This method can clearly show the size, shape and internal structure of the prostate, providing doctors with detailed image information. If there is a tumor in the prostate, ultrasound can accurately show the location, size and shape of the tumor, which helps doctors to accurately assess the condition. TRUS has the advantages of simple operation, non-invasiveness and good repeatability, so it has become an important auxiliary means of prostate cancer screening. Through TRUS examination, doctors can understand the condition of the prostate more intuitively, providing a strong basis for the formulation of subsequent treatment plans.

Prostate biopsy

Prostate puncture biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing prostate cancer, with extremely high accuracy and reliability. Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor accurately inserts the puncture needle into the prostate and removes a small amount of tissue for pathological examination. Through pathological examination, the doctor can determine whether there are cancer cells in the prostate tissue, as well as key information such as the type and degree of differentiation of the cancer cells. Although prostate puncture biopsy is somewhat traumatic, it has high accuracy and is of decisive significance for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Through puncture biopsy, doctors can obtain direct evidence of prostate tissue and provide clear guidance for the patient's treatment.

3. Selection and recommendations of screening methods

Age factor: The incidence of prostate cancer increases significantly with age. Therefore, men over 50 should undergo regular prostate cancer screening to detect and treat potential problems in a timely manner. For men with a family history of prostate cancer or other high-risk factors, the screening age should be appropriately advanced to detect and intervene in the development of the disease earlier.

Screening combination: Since a single screening method may have certain limitations, it is recommended that patients use a combination of multiple screening methods. For example, a rectal examination and PSA test can be performed first. These two methods are simple and easy to perform and can be used as a means of preliminary screening. If the results are abnormal, TRUS or prostate puncture biopsy can be further performed to obtain more accurate diagnostic information. By combining multiple screening methods, the detection rate of prostate cancer can be improved to ensure that patients receive timely and effective treatment.

Regular screening: Prostate cancer develops slowly, so regular screening is essential for early detection. Patients are advised to undergo prostate cancer screening once a year so that potential problems can be detected and treated in a timely manner. Regular screening can monitor changes in the prostate, and once abnormalities are found, timely intervention and treatment can be carried out to avoid worsening of the disease.

Pay attention to symptoms: Although early prostate cancer usually has no obvious symptoms, patients should still pay attention to their physical condition. If you experience symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating, or if you find abnormalities such as blood in your urine, you should seek medical attention and undergo relevant examinations in a timely manner. These symptoms may be signs of prostate cancer, and timely medical attention can help detect and treat the disease early. At the same time, patients should also maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, eating a balanced diet, and exercising moderately, to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

4. Prevention and lifestyle adjustment of prostate cancer

Healthy diet: Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for preventing prostate cancer. Patients should eat more foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. At the same time, reduce the intake of high-fat, high-calorie, and processed foods.

Regular exercise: Moderate exercise can enhance the body's immunity and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Patients are advised to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling.

Control your weight: Obesity is a significant risk factor for prostate cancer. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can reduce your risk of prostate cancer. You can control your weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake: Both smoking and excessive drinking increase the risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, patients are advised to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.

Avoid exposure to harmful substances: Certain chemicals and radiation may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, patients should avoid long-term exposure to harmful substances such as cadmium, rubber, and certain pesticides.

V. Conclusion

Prostate cancer is a common male malignancy. Early detection is crucial to improving treatment effectiveness and survival rates. Screening methods such as rectal examination, PSA testing, TRUS and prostate puncture biopsy can detect signs of prostate cancer in a timely manner. Patients should choose appropriate screening methods based on their own conditions and doctor's advice, and have regular checkups. At the same time, the risk of prostate cancer can be reduced by adjusting lifestyle, such as healthy diet, regular exercise, weight control, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, and avoiding exposure to harmful substances.

Author: Zheng Shaofang Guangzhou First People's Hospital