Take some exams to insure prostate health

Urinalysis
A simple urinalysis is a great barometer to test for prostate health. The doctor will ask for a urine sample that will be examined under a high-powered microscope. Often, a chemically treated dipstick will be used to see if it changes color within the sample, which would mean some kind of bacterial infection. Traces of blood in the urine might mean an indication of kidney stones, or might reveal an infection.


Direct Rectal Exam
A direct rectal exam is the most common exam a doctor will use to test your prostate health. The doctor will slide a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus, up to the prostate gland to feel around for any abnormalities. Here the doctor can see if your prostate is enlarged, infected or has any bumps or irregularities, or if it is in adequate health. If the doctor suspects that you may have a prostate infection, he will likely massage your prostate during the examination to obtain some fluid for further microscopic examination.

PSA Blood Test
To find out if your prostate problems may be cancer-related the doctor will recommend a PSA blood test. An elevated level of PSA, which is protein produced by the prostate cells, usually means that it could be cancer-related. However, having a high level of protein in the prostate does not necessarily mean prostate cancer, so this test will be used in conjunction with other prostate tests.

Transrectal Ultrasound
If the patient is suspected of having prostate cancer, the doctor will immediately order a transrectal ultrasound. This procedure entails a doctor inserting a probe into the rectum that directs high-frequency sound waves to the prostate. These sound waves form an echo pattern that produces an image of the prostate on a television monitor. Here the doctor can look for any irregularities, and also any bumps or tumors. If a tumor is suspected, the doctor can guide a needle to take a biopsy of the suspected tumor for further testing.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Once a biopsy has been confirmed a tumor to be cancerous, a doctor you will use magnetic resonance imaging, commonly known as an MRI, to determine how far the cancer has spread. MRI scans use computers to create a three-dimensional image of the internal colons. This treatment can be very expensive, but also can be very effective in determining the severity of the cancer and if it has spread to any surrounding organs.

The prostate is a very important gland in the male body that produces fluid that is the main component in the development of semen. Good prostate health is very important to the male reproduction system, and without good prostate health men can have problems reproducing.