How will I know I have prostate cancer?

You won’t know if you have prostate cancer until your doctor has talked to you, completed a physical examination and done some tests. The tests might include:

• a digital rectal examination (DRE)  where the doctor inserts a gloved finger into your backside to feel the prostate through the rectal wall

• a blood test to look for PSA, or prostate-specific antigen. Read more about PSA.
• an ultrasound, where a probe is put into your backside and sound waves are used to have a look at your prostate
• other tests such as a CT scan or MRI scan to see what your insides looks like
• a biopsy, where they take a tiny bit of your prostate and look at it with a microscope.

Most men who have these tests find out they don’t have cancer. But it’s really important to check.