
- Digital rectal exam (DRE): During a DRE, a healthcare provider inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland for any abnormalities.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: A blood test that measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated levels of PSA may be a sign of prostate cancer.
- Transrectal ultrasound: A test that uses sound waves to create an image of the prostate gland. A small probe is inserted into the rectum to produce the image.
- Biopsy: A procedure in which a small sample of tissue is taken from the prostate gland and examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells.
