Screening tests are given to people who are at high risk for health issues but do not yet have symptoms. It will help to get an early diagnosis and treatment.

Screening Tests

A digital rectal exam can detect BPH. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the lower rectum. The doctor can then feel the size of prostate. Health issues like tumor or inflammation may also be noted.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) increases with prostate issues such as BPH, prostate cancer, or prostatitis. A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is not a screening test because PSA levels may not raise in all men with these conditions. The test may be done to look for changes to support other tests.

REFERENCES:

American Urological Association (AUA) Practice Guidelines Committee. AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Available at: http://www.auanet.org/guidelines/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(2010-reviewed-and-validity-confirmed-2014). Accessed September 21, 2020.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph. Accessed September 21, 2020.

How is BPH diagnosed? American Urological Association Foundation website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-%28bph%29/diagnosis. Accessed September 22, 2020.

Pearson R, Williams PM. Common questions about the diagnosis and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(11):769-774.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD