How to Check For Prostate Cancer at Home?

First published Oct 12, 2024

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men and can often be treated when detected early, whether through conventional care or with the help of alternative prostate cancer treatment options. This type of cancer is slow-growing. However, if prostate cancer is left unchecked and untreated, it will eventually destroy the prostate tissue and spread to local and distant organs.

But the thing is, prostate cancer cannot be diagnosed at home. There is no reliable way to confirm prostate cancer without clinical testing. However, learning how to check for prostate cancer at home through symptom awareness, risk factors, understanding screening options, and becoming familiar with ways to prevent prostate cancer can help you decide when to seek professional care. Monitoring changes in urinary habits and knowing when to pursue prostate cancer screening are key steps in early detection.

How to Check Prostate Cancer at Home

If you’re researching how to test for prostate cancer at home, the most important thing to understand is that “at-home” means awareness, not diagnosis. You can monitor symptoms, track risk factors, and use educational tools to better understand your prostate, but only a healthcare professional can detect prostate cancer.

When you’re checking for prostate cancer, you must know the symptoms. When you’re aware of the signs, prostate cancer can be caught early. Because prostate cancer doesn’t typically show signs early on, prostate cancer testing typically involves a PSA blood test or a digital rectal exam.

At home, you can:

• Pay attention to prostate cancer symptoms
• Track changes in urinary patterns
• Note family history and other risk factors
• Decide when concerns warrant medical evaluation

This awareness supports early detection, which improves outcomes when prostate cancer is found at an early stage.

Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer

There are typically five major warning signs of prostate cancer; however, as cancer progresses, symptoms typically involve the urinary system. Because the prostate is located close to the urethra and bladder, symptoms might include:

• Frequent urination
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• The urge to urinate frequently at night
• Blood in the urine or seminal fluid
• Erectile dysfunction (new-onset)
• Pain or burning during urination (a less common symptom)
• Discomfort or pain while sitting down (caused by an enlarged prostate)
• Coughing or loss of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Hip or back pain
• Leg swelling or weakness

Contact your doctor if you notice any of the above symptoms. And if you do catch any of these symptoms, try not to panic. These particular symptoms can often have to do with a non-cancerous prostate problem, as well as bladder infections.

Types of Prostate Cancer

It’s important to know that there are also several different types of prostate cancer. The most common types found in prostate cancer patients include:

• Acinar adenocarcinoma – Cancerous cells or tumors that originate in the gland cells lining the prostate gland. This accounts for the vast majority of cases of prostate cancer.
• Ductal adenocarcinoma – Begins in the cells that line the prostate gland’s ducts. It’s a more aggressive and more invasive form of adenocarcinoma.
• Transitional cell cancer – Also known as urothelial cancer, this starts in the cells that line the urethra. While it can begin in the prostate, it most commonly starts in the bladder and then spreads to the prostate.
• Squamous cell cancer – A quickly developing and spreading cancer cells that grow on the flat cells covering the prostate.
• Small cell prostate cancer – A form of neuroendocrine cancer that is composed of small round cells.

When Home Concerns Should Prompt Medical Evaluation

You should talk to your doctor if you experience:

• Persistent urinary changes
• Blood in urine or semen
• New erectile dysfunction
• Pelvic, hip, or lower back pain
• A strong family history of prostate cancer

Men aged 50+, African American men, and those with a higher risk of prostate cancer may benefit from earlier or more frequent screening with PSA.

According to guidelines referenced by organizations such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, informed decision-making is central to a responsible screening programme for prostate cancer.

At-Home Prostate Cancer Tests: What’s Available?

You may see ads for a prostate cancer test at home, including test kits marketed as simple or convenient. Most of these are at-home PSA collection kits, which allow you to provide a small blood or urine sample using an at-home collection kit.

Important limitations to understand:

• A home test does not diagnose prostate cancer
• Results may be influenced by benign prostate conditions
• An elevated PSA does not automatically mean cancer
• A normal result does not rule out clinically significant prostate cancer

These kits may help flag the need for follow-up, but should never replace professional screening for prostate cancer.

What Tests Detect Prostate Cancer Early?

Because prostate cancer can’t necessarily be detected at home, it’s a good idea to learn about the tests that provide early detection. Keep in mind that these tests can’t decipher whether or not you have prostate cancer, and following the test, your doctor will most likely suggest a prostate biopsy. If you’re wondering how to check for prostate cancer at home, your best bet (aside from knowing the signs and symptoms) is to leave it to your healthcare professional.

PSA Tests Explained

The PSA test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate, in your blood. PSA is normally present in small amounts, but higher levels may indicate prostate cancer, inflammation, or an enlarged prostate.

• PSA in your blood is measured as a total PSA level
• A high PSA level or a rising PSA level may prompt further evaluation
• Doctors may also look at free PSA to refine risk assessment
• PSA screening is a common screening test, not a diagnosis

An abnormal test result often leads to additional evaluation such as imaging (MRI), a digital rectal exam (DRE), or prostate biopsies.

The American Cancer Society reports that men with a total PSA level of between 4 and 10 have roughly a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer. With a total PSA of over 10, the chance of having prostate cancer rises to over 50%. Following the PSA test, if the levels are high, a doctor may suggest a repeat screening test or a prostate biopsy.

In addition to prostate cancer, there are many other factors that can affect a man’s PSA levels.

Reasons for a High PSA include:

• Enlarged prostate: An enlarged prostate can be caused by conditions like BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.
• Age: As men get older, it’s normal for PSA levels to slowly rise (even if there are no prostate abnormalities).
• Prostatitis: Infection or inflammation of the prostate gland, known as prostatitis, can also raise PSA levels.
• Ejaculation: Ejaculation can make the PSA fluctuate. For this reason, doctors advise men to abstain from ejaculation for a day or two before the PSA test.
• Bicycle Riding: Because the bicycle seat puts pressure on the prostate, some studies have shown that cycling may cause PSA levels to rise.
• Urologic procedures: Some urologic procedures (like a prostate biopsy or cystoscopy) can lead to higher PSA levels for a period of time. Some studies have also shown that a digital rectal exam (or DRE) might also raise these levels.
• Medicines: Certain medicines, like testosterone or other medicines that raise testosterone levels, might cause a rise in PSA.

Reasons for a Low PSA:

• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Some drugs that treat BPH or urinary symptoms, like finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) or dutasteride (Avodart), might lower your PSA levels.
• Herbal mixtures: Certain mixtures and dietary supplements might hide a high PSA level. For this reason, let your doctor know what you’re taking and any sort of supplements you might be using.
• Obesity: Obese men often have lower PSA levels.
• Aspirin: Some research suggests men who regularly take aspirin have lower PSA levels.
• Statins: Statins, also known as cholesterol-lowering drugs like atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor), have been associated with lower PSA levels in users.
• Thiazide diuretics: Some diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (a type of water pill often used to treat high blood pressure) have been linked to lower PSA levels.

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)

In addition to the PSA blood test, your doctor might also perform a DRE. Although a digital rectal exam might be a bit uncomfortable, it’s not uncommon. During this prostate exam, the doctor will insert a finger into the rectum to feel around for bumps or hard spots on the prostate, as these could indicate cancer. Because prostate cancer often begins near the back of the gland, doing this prostate exam allows doctors to feel for any abnormalities. Typically, the exam is short and not painful for the patient.

If you’re wondering how to check for prostate cancer at home, the best thing you can do is to stay in tune with your body. Know when there are changes to your urinary patterns. If you find yourself needing to urinate more frequently at night or if you find you have a weak or interrupted urine flow, these might be signs of prostate cancer. Blood in the urine or semen is another symptom, as is erectile dysfunction. You might also feel pain when sitting down, brought on by an enlarged prostate.

When you notice these symptoms, make sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately for prostate cancer screening. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, know that this type of cancer is curable and that life after treatment can be bright and positive. However, before you start treatment, you have to do prostate screening to identify the severity of the cancer.

Symptom Awareness vs Clinical Diagnosis

Knowing how to check for prostate cancer at home is about recognizing when something may be wrong. Diagnosing prostate cancer, however, requires medical testing.

Only clinical testing can confirm whether you are diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

At Immunity Therapy Center, we offer integrative and supportive therapies for prostate cancer designed to complement, not replace, medical care for individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer. Our focus is on immune support, inflammation management, and overall health and well-being.

We work with natural cancer treatment options to bring a bounty of health to the body, the mind, and the spirit.  Each case is unique so we focus on a combination of specialized treatment options and customized plans at our holistic cancer treatment center.

If you’re curious about the types of holistic alternative therapies we offer, feel free to reach out today. We believe that patients with a positive outlook see positive results. We look forward to starting a natural, holistic, integrative treatment program with you soon.

Written By: Dr. Adolfo Carrillo

Dr. Adolfo Carrillo is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.

Dr. Carrillo has been collaborating with Dr. Bautista for over 5 years as a treating physician at the Immunity the Immunity Therapy Center. Dr. Carrillo is a charismatic Doctor whose knowledge and commitment to patient care and bringing healing to patients is a valuable asset to our center.

Sources:

1. American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/symptoms-and-signs
2. American Cancer Society. Screening Tests for Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/early-detection/tests.html
3. American Cancer Society. Screening Tests for Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/early-detection/tests.html