1deaz.com

For male patients and prostate cancer there are two tests that are commonly used by doctors for screening, even if they have no signs of cancer of the prostate.  The first of these is the physical examination of the prostate itself.  The exam is performed by inserting a gloved finger and feeling the prostate for any abnormalities, such as an enlargement of the gland, a hardened gland, or the presence of one or more nodules on the prostate.  Any of these findings suggest the possibility of prostate cancer.  The second test is a blood test which measures the amount of prostate specific antigen in the blood.  Since cancer of the prostate typically increase the quantity of antigen, a high level may be the result of prostate cancer.

Physicians generally agree that an abnormal result from either or both of these tests should be followed by a referral to a specialist and diagnostic tests to determine if the abnormal results are from prostate cancer or to some other factor.  The biopsy is the diagnostic test most commonly recommended by doctors.  If cancer is present the failure to refer the patient to a specialist and to order diagnostic testing could allow the cancer to grow and spread beyond the prostate gland into advanced prostate cancer.  This could, in turn, decrease the types of treatments available and could lead to an incurable stage of the cancer.  If this happened to you or a family member a cancer lawyer or, in case the family member died of the prostate cancer, a wrongful death attorney may be able to be of assistance.