A member asked:

Is there a new way of diagnosing prostate cancer without doing the digital examination?

10 doctors weighed in across 4 answers

No good ones: Unfortunately, there is no reliable screening test for prostate cancer. The digital examination may detect changes, but it is uncomfortable and does not pick up 100% of cancers. The psa blood test may be falsely elevated in other conditions. With that said, the definitive surgical procedures used to stage and evaluate prostate cancer are invasive and have many side effects.

Answered 2/3/2013

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PSA remains best: Even though psa has shortcomings, it remains the number one means of detecting early prostate cancer. It is most meaningful when done annually, and an accelerated rise in psa over the course of one year prompting an ultrasound and biopsy is the most common means of diagnosing prostate cancer. Check out my following video response to the psa controversy: http://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=d8fpxszvmtq.

Answered 3/3/2012

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No: A digital examination is not for diagnosing prostate cancer but to help screen for it, in addition to a blood test called psa. The only method to diagnose prostate cancer is with a biopsy.

Answered 2/3/2013

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DRE: Any diagnosis of prostate cancer without doing a rectal exam is an incomplete evaluation.

Answered 2/3/2013

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