Prostate cancer strikes one man out of every nine today, but with early diagnosis, you can often treat the disease successfully. Our providers perform discreet and professional prostate checks as part of male health exams. Book your male exam through the online appointment tool or by phone today.
Male Exams Q & A
What are the signs of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is often symptomless in its early stages, which is why it’s so important to have your male exams, including a prostate check, at the recommended intervals.
In the cases where prostate cancer sufferers do have symptoms, they may experience some or all of the following.
- Bone pain
- Difficulty urinating
- Difficulty emptying your bladder fully
- Increased urge to urinate
- Increased frequency of urination
- Weak urine stream
- Blood in urine
If you notice any of these signs, or if you’re due for a male exam, schedule your appointment at Houston Family Medical Center as soon as possible.
When do I need a prostate check?
The American Cancer Association recommends that you should discuss prostate testing with your health care provider as follows.
- At age 50 if you have average risk for prostate cancer, and if you expect to live 10 years or more
- At age 45 if you’re at risk for prostate cancer due to family history, race, or other factors
- At age 40 is you have high-risk for prostate cancer due to multiple close relatives having it at an early age
During your male exams, your Houston Family Medical Clinic care provider will assess your risk factors and recommend current or future screenings where appropriate.
What does a male exam consist of?
During your male exam, you’ll discuss your medical history, your family history, and your current lifestyle with your care provider. This can help your care provider establish risk factors and potential problems.
A male exam usually consists of a general wellness checkup, which includes evaluation of all your vital signs, your heart function, your lung function, and your reflexes. Your provider may also check your eyes, ears, nose, throat, and other areas too.
A prostate check is often part of a male exam. You’ll likely do a prostate-specific antigen blood test, which requires a simple blood draw. Your prostate check may also include a digital rectal exam.
If you don’t have any signs of prostate cancer, your care provider uses your prostate-specific antigen blood test results to determine whether you need future testing yearly or every two years.
Book your appointment at Houston Family Medical Clinic through the online tool or by phone today.