If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication to treat an enlarged prostate, be sure to tell your doctor. Certain prostate medications, such as finasteride (Proscar), dutasteride (Avodart) or saw palmetto, can affect the results of the PSA test.

Most cases of prostate cancer are detected by screening for the disease before it causes any symptoms. Doctors detect the illness by using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam. A biopsy is usually recommended if either of the screening tests is abnormal.

Depending on your biopsy results, PSA level and physical findings, your doctor may order additional tests to determine whether your cancer has spread to your lymph nodes, bones or other sites. These tests may include a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) scan or bone scan.

Expected Duration

Once prostate cancer develops, it usually grows slowly over many years. A small percentage of cases of prostate cancer grow and spread rapidly. Almost all prostate cancer will respond to one form of treatment or another.