Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers among men, and so it’s natural to wonder if you can check for prostate cancer at home. Evidence suggests, however, that trying to check yourself for prostate cancer is both ineffective and potentially harmful. In this article, we’ll discuss why checking yourself for prostate cancer isn’t a good idea, and look at more effective steps you can take if you’re concerned about this potentially dangerous but highly treatable disease.

In the Inspire Prostate Cancer Community members share their personal experiences of living with kidney disorders and how to find support. This content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As always, consult with your doctor before trying any new treatments or medications.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a disease that affects the prostate, a part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is a small, spongy organ about the size of a golf ball located inside the body between the anus and the base of the penis. Tumors that develop in the prostate can cause significant complications, and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.

Checking for prostate cancer: DRE

One of the most common ways medical professionals check for prostate cancer is to examine the prostate directly, with a routine procedure called a digital rectal exam (DRE). To perform a DRE, a medical professional inserts a gloved and lubricated finger about one inch into the rectum to briefly palpate the prostate, or examine it by feel. The goal of this procedure is to identify abnormal bumps, lumps or any unusual features of the patient’s prostate.

Perhaps because this procedure involves intimate parts of the body, many men may wish to find a way to perform this exam at home by themselves. But unlike testicular or breast cancers, for which doctors recommend regular self-examination, a self examination for prostate cancer is both impractical and unlikely to be effective, and may even pose some risks.

How many years do I need to continue annual checkups with urologist following having my prostate removed? I had robotic surgery in 2011 and my PSA readings have been "Undetectable" (zero) every year since that. I am still going in annually for a checkup. Due to my former urologist's retirement, I now have a newly-assigned urologist. Since my 2011 surgery, I had not had a digital rectal exam until my new urologist performed it on a recent visit. My primary issue now is continuing stress incontinence (using two or three guards daily). Does anyone have any idea why a urologist would do a rectal exam on a patient whose prostate had been removed ten years earlier. I am wondering whether my new urologist was aware that I had already had the surgery. My questions are (1) How much longer do I need to continue these annual checkups? and (2) Should I call the Urology Center's practice manager and discuss being assigned a different urologist? And (3) Is it normal for a urologist to perform a digital rectal exam on a patient ten years after prostate removal and a record of zero PSAs? 

Why checking for prostate cancer at home isn’t practical

There are several reasons why checking for prostate cancer at home isn’t a very good idea. The most important reason may be simple anatomy, but there are other reasons too.

Location: The placement of the prostate within the body makes it difficult to reach on one's own. While a medical doctor can easily palpate the prostate in an exam setting, most people are unlikely to have the reach necessary to feel the prostate fairly deep inside the body.

Lack of expertise: One of the things doctors look for when performing a DRE is the size of the prostate, as an enlarged prostate can be a sign of cancer or other problems. Recognizing when a patient’s prostate is atypically sized takes training and experience, however, which patients are unlikely to have.

Risks of improper exam: An untrained patient attempting a self-examination may not perform the procedure correctly, risking injury to delicate parts of the body. Insufficient lubrication or overly aggressive palpitation could even lead to injury of the rectum.

PSA test

Aside from direct examination of the prostate by a doctor, a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is another way to determine whether a patient may have prostate cancer. A PSA test is a routine test that measures the levels of a particular blood protein known as PSA produced by prostate cells. An unhealthy prostate usually produces higher than average levels of PSA in the blood, so elevated levels may indicate disease. 

Historically this test was only available in a medical office, because it relies on the processing of blood with sophisticated equipment. Testing kits marketed as “home” PSA tests are now increasingly common, but there are some cautions to consider with these new tools. 

At home tests

Some manufacturers have begun to offer “home” PSA test kits, which are widely available online. But describing these as home tests is slightly misleading. While such kits can allow someone to begin the testing process at home by drawing a small sample of blood, the blood drawn by the patient still needs to be sent away for testing. For that reason these are not true home tests. 

While a PSA test can be a useful tool for diagnosing or monitoring prostate cancer, there is some controversy in the medical community about how useful they may be a screening tool.

Broader issues with PSA test

In recent decades, some doctors have begun to reassess the utility of routine cancer screening using PSA tests. While PSA tests are accurate and do a good job of determining the level of PSA in the blood, many factors can affect PSA levels. Age, individual variation, and even recent sexual activity can all impact the level of PSA in a given patient’s system.

If high levels of PSA are found in the blood, it can lead to further investigation that is more invasive and can cause significant side effects. A prostate biopsy, for example, is a common followup to an elevated PSA test. A biopsy involves the removal of a small amount of tissue from the prostate for testing, and while this procedure is generally safe, it can lead to side effects like erectile dysfunction or potentially serious infection.

Because of these risks, patients may not want to seek out a PSA test unless prompted by symptoms that could indicate prostate cancer, or upon advice from a doctor. 

Symptoms

If you notice symptoms that could indicate prostate cancer or another prostate disease, the best thing to do is speak with a doctor, rather than trying to examine yourself at home. Many prostate cancer symptoms overlap with symptoms of other conditions — and in some cases prostate cancer causes no symptoms at all — but if you experience any of the issues below, it’s worth speaking with your physician.

• difficulty urinating

• burning or pain when urinating

• difficulty fully emptying your bladder

• blood in your urine or semen

Further support

Taking control of your health is a great thing, but prostate cancer testing is one case that is best left to the professionals. If you’re looking for support from others concerned about their health — or from patients who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer or anotherdisease — the Inspire Prostate Cancer Community can be a great resource. 

Sources

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24212-digital-rectal-exam

• https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/understanding-prostate-changes

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15922431/

• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2786070

• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/tests.html

• https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k3519

Disclaimer

Member comments have been lightly edited for length and clarity. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any organization or individual. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.